vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-55-storage-guide

Using vmkfstools 27vmkfstools is one of the ESXi Shell commands for managing VMFS volumes and virtual disks. You canperform many storage operations using the vmkfstools command. For example, you can create and manageVMFS datastores on a physical partition, or manipulate virtual disk files, stored on VMFS or NFS datastores.NOTE After you make a change using the vmkfstools, the vSphere Web Client might not be updatedimmediately. You need to use a refresh or rescan operation from the client.For more information on the ESXi Shell, see Getting Started with vSphere Command-Line Interfaces.This chapter includes the following topics:• “vmkfstools Command Syntax,” on page 259• “vmkfstools Options,” on page 260vmkfstools Command SyntaxGenerally, you do not need to log in as the root user to run the vmkfstools commands. However, somecommands, such as the file system commands, might require the root user login.The vmkfstools command supports the following command syntax:vmkfstools conn_options options target.Target specifies a partition, device, or path to apply the command option to.Table 27‐1. vmkfstools command argumentsArgumentoptionspartitionDescriptionOne or more command-line options and associated arguments that you use tospecify the activity for vmkfstools to perform, for example, choosing the diskformat when creating a new virtual disk.After entering the option, specify a target on which to perform the operation.Target can indicate a partition, device, or path.Specifies disk partitions. This argument uses a disk_ID:P format, where disk_IDis the device ID returned by the storage array and P is an integer that representsthe partition number. The partition digit must be greater than zero (0) andshould correspond to a valid VMFS partition.VMware, Inc. 259