VMware Cloud Community
VMASON
Contributor
Contributor
‎05-09-2007 12:39 PM

External USB storage for host storage

We have Maxtor USB external HD that we want to use to increase size of storage for ESX 3.0.1 host. Is is possible to extend storage1 to include space on USB HD??

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5 Replies
oreeh
Immortal
Immortal
‎05-09-2007 12:40 PM

No - you can't create a VMFS volume on an USB disk.

VMASON
Contributor
Contributor
‎05-09-2007 12:51 PM

So the purchase is not a total loss. is is possible to use it for additional storage for VMs?

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oreeh
Immortal
Immortal
‎05-09-2007 12:54 PM

No - VMs reside on a VMFS filesystem.

Besides - ESX itself can't use USB.

In theory you could mount the USB disk in the console, export it with NFS and remount it from ESX.

Not sure if it works or if it is reliable.

Besides - USB disks are a little slow.

VMASON
Contributor
Contributor
‎05-09-2007 12:59 PM

i did't explain my last question properly. i would like to use USB HD for additional storage on VMs. for example - create a 😧 drive on a Windows VM. Is that possible?

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oreeh
Immortal
Immortal
‎05-09-2007 01:03 PM

Since ESX doesn't support USB in VMs this won't work (you could use IP-USB converters but they are expensive).

Why don't you setup a temporary NFS server (maybe using the USB disk) and create some storage space for ESX there.

If you are a Windows shop take a look at Windows Service for Unix (its free and easy to setup if you don't have Unix/Linux know-how)

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