VMware ESXi 4.1 Change Datastore Block Size

agangliu0400

　　The purpose is change VMFS-3 datastore block size from 1MB to 8MB ,because block sizes determine maximum file size
　　1MB block size maximum file size =256GB
　　2MB block size maximum file size= 512GB
　　...
　　8MB block size approximate maximum file size =2TB. that's what i need !
　　start from ESXi5.0 ,1 MB block size maximum support 2TB..
　　Method:change the block size when recreate the datastore.
　　delete the target datastore in Client GUI ,then add it as new one.
　　Meet the error:
　　Call "HostDatastoreSystem.RemoveDatastore" for object "ha-datastoresystem" on ESXi "xxx"failed.
　　Possible cause :
　　there have background session lock or occupy datastore, files not fully cleard on datastore.
　　Solution:
　　1.    ssh to management console with root
　　#esxcfg-scsidevs -l |grep -I naa
　　naa.6782bcb011d46500151104f30ababf04
   Display Name: Local  Disk (naa.6782bcb011d46500151104f30ababf04)
   Console Device: /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.6782bcb011d46500151104f30ababf04
   Devfs Path: /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.6782bcb011d46500151104f30ababf04
naa.6782bcb011d465001511051c0d2df7a6
   Display Name: Local  Disk (naa.6782bcb011d465001511051c0d2df7a6)
   Console Device: /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.6782bcb011d465001511051c0d2df7a6
   Devfs Path: /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.6782bcb011d465001511051c0d2df7a6
　　2.    Use the fdisk command to create a new partition.
　　# fdisk /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.6782bcb011d46500151104f30ababf04
　　choose '1' and get the command actions menu; tyep ' m 'for help

• 　　Type P to list partition information.
  　　in this case , get 3 partition ,the last one need to be delete and recreate,
  　　the other two is for FAT and VM diagnose
  
• 　　Type d delete existing partition information....
  
• 　　Type n for new partition.
  
• 　　Select the desired partition and use P for a primary partition.
  

• 　　For the cylinder prompt, press Enter for the default.
  

• 　　Type t to change volume type to VMFS(fb)
  
• 　　Type x to enter expert mode
  
• 　　Type b to start the changing ...
  
• 　　Type w to save and exit fdisk
  　　To list the newly created partition information:
  　　fdisk -lu /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.xxxxx
  

　　3.     the vmkfstools command to format the new partition as a VMFS3 datastore, specifying a Block Size of 1-8MB.

vmkfstools -C vmfs3 -b BlockSize -S DatastoreVolumeName /vmfs/devices/disks/ DeviceName:Partition
　　
　　example:
　　vmkfstools -C vmfs3 -b 8m -S NewDatastore /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.60901234567890123456789012345678:3
　　4.     Rescan the storage system
　　refer VMware KB:http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&externalId=1009829