300gig vmdk virtual disks required

[pearlyshells]

I understand that the default VMFS block size is 1mb and this causes an issue if we need to create VMDK files larger than 256gig. I have read a paper that indicates that it is possible to allow larger vmdk files but that I would have to reformat the VMFS files system to allow larger block sizes (i.e 4mb). How do I do that? Is there a paper that outlines this procedure?

Thanks

[AntonVZhbankov]

Way 1: use windows dynamic disks or linux lvm to create a volume on 2 separate vmdks

Way 2: migrate all the machines from datastore, destroy datastore, create datastore with another block size, migrate all machines back

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http://blog.vadmin.ru

[espi3030]

I would agree with Anton's "Way 2". If you are running ESX 3.5 you should be able to use sVmotion so the current running VM's wont need down time.

[pearlyshells]

Once I svmotion the VMs off the datastore, I presume that I could just go to VirtualCenter and remove the datastore....recreate the Datastore and set the blocksize limit higher?

[espi3030 · Accepted solution]

Your presumption is correct, after you remove it you'll need to "Add Storage" and rename it and it will prompt you to format and there you can change the block size.

[pearlyshells]

thanks very much