Max Disk DSize that can be presented?

[samuk]

Hi,

Just want to double check that the largest disk i can allocate to a VM is 2TB in ESX 5.1?

Thanks

[vmroyale · Accepted solution]

Yes, its 2TB minus 512 bytes for VMDKs and virtual compatibility RDMs.

Physical compatibility RDMs can be 64TB.

[samuk]

thanks,

i would i guess need to convert the disk to dynamic and span them in windows..

I remember dynamic disks were not recommended for use in the older version of esx..is this still the case in 5.1

[vmroyale]

I believe that the proprietary format is what complicates their use in VMware products. Not sure what the current "official" recommendation is about dynamic disks. People certainly use this approach, but I don't personally like to.

Is p-mode RDM not an option? In-guest initiators are also another workaround. Each of these approaches also has disadvantages that have to be dealt with also.

[NagangoudaPatil]

2 TB minus 512 KB for vmfs and 64 TB for RDM.

[a_p_]

Just a quick hint. If you want to be able to take snapshots of the virtual disk(s), you need to keep in mind that snapshot files require an overhead, and therefore the maximum size for a virtual disk must not exceed 2,032 GB.

André