Expand Local Datastore

[javiern]

Hello,

I have an ESX 4.1 with only a local datastore (RAID5) within virtual machines on a DELL server

I want to enlarge the datastore, I don't have enough free space to creat more virtual machines.

To do it:

-Install a new hardisk (with vmware powered on)

- Add the new hardisk  to the Raid5 with With DELL Open Manage

- wait to finish expand raid 5

- Power Off Vmware machines?  or Continue started?

  - Expand with vmware Vshpere the local datastore   (what time need to expand?)

I want to know if I can do an extend with the new unpartitioned space on the existing local datastore without lose my virtual machines? I only the local datastore with esxi when I expand the esxi continue working?

Can anybody help me ?

Regards

[AdilArif]

Hi javiern,

It is possible to expand the datastore without powering off your virtual machines.

As you mentioned, the first step would be to add the disk from Dell Open Manage.

Then find the below article, which explains how to extend the local datastore.

http://www.virtadmin.com/how-to-grow-a-local-vmfs-datastore/

The official documentation can be found below.

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=200246...

Cheers,

Adil Arif

[javiern]

Perfect!! Only one doubt.

In the official doc tell:

Identify the desired ending sector number for the target VMFS Datastore's partitions. To use all space out to the end of the disk, subtract 1 from the disk size in sectors as reported in step 5 to obtain the last usable sector.

For example, Disk sector count 40000001 - 1 = 40000000 as the last usable sector.

And in the example I think that rest 34.  to the final sector, why?

I have this problem because with esxi 4.1 don't work this command:  partedUtil getUsableSectors   I not sure what is the final usable sector.

In my server the disk show this:

~ # partedUtil get /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.6848f690dfdd230017d246ce59dd4b60

857344 64 32 1755840512

4 32 8191 4 128

1 8192 1843199 5 0

5 8224 520191 6 0

6 520224 1032191 6 0

7 1032224 1257471 252 0

8 1257504 1843199 6 0

2 1843200 10229759 6 0

3 10229760 1755840511 251 0

I think If I put the red number -100 this work sure, ok?

Thanks a lot!!

[AdilArif · Accepted solution]

Yes, that's absolutely correct.

If this resolved your issue, I request you to mark the question as answered.

Cheers,

Adil Arif