Create a Raw Disk Mapping (RDM) on ESX via console

[Sebastian]

To create an RDM from the command line:

1. Log in to your host via SSH or from the direct console.
2. Determine the VML identifier of the storage LUN that you want to use as an RDM.
3. Create the mapping files using a vmkfstools command similar to:
   
   # vmkfstools -r /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.600c0ff000119f3c066a815b01000000 /vmfs/volumes/HP_SAN1__Datastore/0_SAN_RDM_DISKS/HP_SAN1__VSS-RDM.vmdk
   
   This command creates a virtual compatibility mode RDM for the storage LUN referenced as naa.600c0ff000119f3c066a815b01000000 in the datastore HP_SAN1__Datastore, subdirectory 0_SAN_RDM_DISKS, with the virtual disk pointer file HP_SAN1__VSS-RDM.vmdk. This virtual disk may now be added as an existing disk to the virtual machine.
   
   Note: If you want to create a physical compatibility mode (passthrough) RDM that does not support snapshots, use a vmkfstools command similar to:
   
   # vmkfstools -z /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.600c0ff000119f3c066a815b01000000 /vmfs/volumes/HP_SAN1__Datastore/0_SAN_RDM_DISKS/HP_SAN1__VSS-RDM.vmdk
   
   Note: In case if the command fails with the error message when creating the mapping file for virtual RDM "Failed to reopen virtual disk: Failed to lock the file", we need to represent the RDM LUNs from storage side.
   
   # vmkfstools -r /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.600c0ff000119f3c99cfd05a01000000 /vmfs/volumes/HP_SAN1__Datastore/0_SAN_RDM_DISKS/HP_SAN1__BTD-RDM.vmdk
   Failed to reopen virtual disk: Failed to lock the file (16392).