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

Chapter 27 Using vmkfstoolsFile System OptionsFile system options allow you to create and manage VMFS datastores. These options do not apply to NFS.You can perform many of these tasks through the vSphere Web Client.Listing Attributes of a VMFS VolumeUse the vmkfstools command to list attributes of a VMFS volume.-P --queryfs-h --humanreadableWhen you use this option on any file or directory that resides on a VMFS volume, the option lists theattributes of the specified volume. The listed attributes include the file system label, if any, the number ofextents comprising the specified VMFS volume, the UUID, and a listing of the device names where eachextent resides.NOTE If any device backing VMFS file system goes offline, the number of extents and available spacechange accordingly.You can specify the -h suboption with the -P option. If you do so, vmkfstools lists the capacity of the volumein a more readable form, for example, 5k, 12.1M, or 2.1G.Creating a VMFS DatastoreUse the vmkfstools command to create a VMFS datastore.-C --createfs [vmfs3|vmfs5]-b --blocksize block_size kK|mM-S --setfsname datastoreThis option creates a VMFS3 or VMFS5 datastore on the specified SCSI partition, such as disk_ID:P. Thepartition becomes the file system's head partition.NOTE Use the VMFS3 option when you need legacy hosts to access the datastore.You can specify the following suboptions with the -C option:• -b --blocksize – Define the block size for the VMFS datastore.For VMFS5, the only available block size is 1MB. For VMFS3, the default block size is 1MB. Dependingon your needs, the block size can be 1MB, 2MB, 4MB, and 8MB. When you enter the size, indicate theunit type by adding a suffix, such as m or M. The unit type is not case sensitive.• -S --setfsname – Define the volume label of the VMFS datastore you are creating. Use this suboptiononly in conjunction with the -C option. The label you specify can be up to 128 characters long andcannot contain any leading or trailing blank spaces.NOTE vCenter Server supports the 80 character limit for all its entities. If a datastore name exceeds thislimit, the name gets shortened when you add this datastore to vCenter Server.After you define a volume label, you can use it whenever you specify the VMFS datastore for thevmkfstools command. The volume label appears in listings generated for the ls -l command and as asymbolic link to the VMFS volume under the /vmfs/volumes directory.To change the VMFS volume label, use the ln -sf command. Use the following as an example:ln -sf /vmfs/volumes/UUID /vmfs/volumes/datastoreVMware, Inc. 261