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KooV
Contributor
Contributor

ESXi 8 RDM not working

When I add rdm disk to vm on esxi8, it doesn't work properly.

I make RDM vmdk disk by command below...

vmkfstools -z /vmfs/devices/disks/vml.01000000004b314b3532544d44202020202020202020202020484753542048 /vmfs/volumes/SSD1TB01/RDM/rdm-disk3t.vmdk

And I attached the device by adding an existing disk, but it is not attached normally as shown below.

KooV_0-1670030727675.png

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9 Replies
bhupendra81
Contributor
Contributor

Similar issue here as well, appreciate any input.

Kinnison
Commander
Commander

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MeetingAttender
Contributor
Contributor

Same exact issue here. Any update / fix is appreciated.

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Kinnison
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MeetingAttender
Contributor
Contributor

There is a workaround using vmware PowerCLI but I gives me “not supported with this license” type of error. I think it is not supported with free license. I have workstation pro though i can try with that. Do you have any link for that option?

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Kinnison
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MeetingAttender
Contributor
Contributor

Workstation Pro v16 also does not work. I get this error: The existing disk file is for a physical disk. Please select "Use a Physical Disk" to reuse an existing physical disk.

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Kinnison
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MeetingAttender
Contributor
Contributor

I found out that it works when creating new VMs which is perfectly fine for my need. So I'm happy now, my problem is resolved 🙂 I tried both v7.0.3 and v8 and they both worked (meaning they accepted RDM disks with *.vmdk pointer files at the time of VM creation from web client). I could not find a way to add RDMs to an existing VM (tried web client, PowerCLI, Workstation Pro 16). Please also note that adding exisiting RDMs to existing guests worked in v6 & v6.5 for me.

References:

1. Create RDM: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1017530
2. This thread: https://communities.vmware.com/t5/ESXi-Discussions/ESXi-8-RDM-not-working/m-p/2942004/
3. Add RDM PowerCLI: https://williamlam.com/2022/12/heads-up-esxi-8-0-host-client-unable-to-attach-existing-virtual-disk-...
4. PowerCLI: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-manage-esxi-hosts-remotely-with-powercli/

 

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