VMware Cloud Community
eisublime
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

add storage to ESX server

I have a HP Proliant DL 580 with ESX 3.5 on it. I just added 2 disks to the HW RAID 5 volume that the vmfs is on. Now I can't find how to get ESX server to see that extra space. I know that I need to add the space as an Extent (Configuration -> Storage -> Volume Properties -> Add Extent) but right now when I do that, the new space doesn't show up. How do I get it to see the new space on the volume?

Thanks

Reply
0 Kudos
1 Solution

Accepted Solutions
Rubeck
Virtuoso
Virtuoso
Jump to solution

I do not think you can create multiple VMFS volumes on the same LUN, due to the way ESX handles locks. It locks an entire LUN and not a partition.

/Rubeck

View solution in original post

Reply
0 Kudos
15 Replies
Rubeck
Virtuoso
Virtuoso
Jump to solution

You cant expand an existing VMFS volume Smiley Sad You have to create a new LUN using the 2 disks, and then you should be able to do an "extend". (not recommeded, IMO)

/Rubeck

Reply
0 Kudos
eisublime
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

I don't think that's what I'm trying to do. I want to create a new partition on the RAID5 volume and then extend the vmfs volume using that partition. Is that possible?

Reply
0 Kudos
Rubeck
Virtuoso
Virtuoso
Jump to solution

I do not think you can create multiple VMFS volumes on the same LUN, due to the way ESX handles locks. It locks an entire LUN and not a partition.

/Rubeck

Reply
0 Kudos
weinstein5
Immortal
Immortal
Jump to solution

rubek indicate this is not possible - but you could create a new raid set and place a new vmfs datastore there-

If you find this or any other answer useful please consider awarding points by marking the answer correct or helpful
eisublime
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

So there's no way for me to create a second vmfs partition on the expanded LUN?

Reply
0 Kudos
Chamon
Commander
Commander
Jump to solution

This sounds like local storage correct? The above is correct you will have to place these new disks in a RAID 1 and format it VMFS for it to be usable by the ESX host for VMs. Other wise you will have to DESTROY your current RAID set and create a new one that includes the new drives.

This will WIPE OUT everything on that RAID set.

Reply
0 Kudos
eisublime
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

ugg. I already expanded the array so, looks like I have to destroy it anyway.

suck

Reply
0 Kudos
Chamon
Commander
Commander
Jump to solution

Is it local storage? How did you expand the array?

Reply
0 Kudos
eisublime
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Yes, it's local storage. I expanded it through the array configuration utility that HP servers come with.

Reply
0 Kudos
MalcO
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Have you created a new logical drive using the ACU? This space should then be availble to ESX.

Reply
0 Kudos
eisublime
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

No I expanded the existing logical drive

Reply
0 Kudos
MalcO
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

I have never done that so not sure if you can now extend the VMFS partition.

Good luck.

Reply
0 Kudos
Chamon
Commander
Commander
Jump to solution

If you run

df -lh

From the SC do you see the new disks? It wont show up in VC untill it is formated but if the hosts sees it it should show up here..

Reply
0 Kudos
TRL123
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

I have the situation with a HP DL380 G5 with direct attached storage. I want to add 2 hard drives into 2 empty slots. Couldn't I bring everything down and boot into the HP array config utility and add the 2 extra drives there?

For that matter could I add an extra hard drive as a online spare?

Reply
0 Kudos
hvhau
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Hi, that would be the logical way. But there seems to be a way without reboot the ESX Host into the HP Array Config Util.

I have used the HP Array Config CLI (installed in ESX) - and created an array with 5x 146GB disks. My problem is that I can't get ESX to see this new storage.

I have tried rescanning, etc... Anyone able to offer some insight? Thanks!

Reply
0 Kudos