Dealing with Local Storage block size (vSphere 4)

[khughes]

I have a pretty basic / easy question that I believe I know the answer to but want to double check. I spaced that vSphere 4.0 uses a default block size of 1MB, which has started to cause issues with our backup software trying to attach vmdk's larger than 256GB in size. I would like to continue to use local storage for our esXpress helpers but in order to do that I need to have a larger block size on the local vmfs volume.. Question is can I safely remove the local storage (if nothing is running off of it) and re-add it and increase the block size or is there a way in the install to set the block size larger than 1MB?

Easy points. Thanks guys.

• Kyle

[Troy_Clavell · Accepted solution]

remember, by defualt your COS is installed onto local storage, so don't remove it.

I think this KB article gives you the best solution

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1012683

[khughes]

That's right the COS is now a little vm running on there isn't it.. well regardless I would have to rebuild it looks like so it would've been a funny experience

All the methods in that KB look like a beast to take on, doesn't look like fun.

• Kyle

[Troy_Clavell]

yes, rebuilding is sometimes a valid and reasonable option... Just remember to follow the KB so you can get a block size larger than 1MB