Create a Raw Disk Mapping (RDM) on ESX via console
Verfasst: Sa 6. Mär 2021, 23:05
To create an RDM from the command line:
- Log in to your host via SSH or from the direct console.
- Determine the VML identifier of the storage LUN that you want to use as an RDM.
- 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).