Add RDM disk to VM on NFS Share

[altano64]

I am trying to add an disk via RDM to a VM. The VM is hosted on an NFS share.

I understand that I cannot store an RDM mapping file on an NFS share, but where is the option to change where the mapping file is located so that I can put it on a different datastore? This is what the RDM UI looks like:

I saw some screenshots of an older vSphere client that had a "Store with Virtual Machine" dropdown, but that UI is obviously not present. Any ideas?

[hussainbte]

If you don't have an option to choose the datastore while creating the RDM, you can always do a storage vMOtion after the RDM is added.

choose advanced storage vmotion and relocate the pointer files for the RDMs. keep the OS drive and other disks on the existing location

[altano64]

> you can always do a storage vMOtion after the RDM is added

I can't add the RDM in the first place because the VM is on an NFS share and attempting to add the RDM (clicking okay from my screenshot) just results in an error.

[Finikiez]

When you add a new RDM just do not select option "Store with the virtual machine". Click Browse  and choose any existing shared VMFS datastore to store pointer file.

[altano64]

> When you add a new RDM just do not select option "Store with the virtual machine". Click Browse  and choose any existing shared VMFS datastore to store pointer file.

I don’t see that option. Please look at my screenshot: is it there and I’m missing it?

[Finikiez]

ok I see that you use Host Client and maybe the option is missed in UI.

Then create pointer file manually VMware Knowledge Base and point to it while adding a new existing virtual hard disk

[hussainbte]

Are you connected to vCenter or ESXi?

is this flash based or html client..?

[altano64]

I’m using ESXi free, 6.5u1, HTML client.

[hussainbte]

Looks like the option is not available.. I think the option is not available because it a html client.. :smileysad:

As mentioned in the above link, create the pointer file manually . then add the RDM to the VM by selecting add existing disk and browse to the location and add the vmdk created.

This should make sure the pointer file is kept separately from the NFS share

[rhidegLS]

I've just came across this problem. Regarding this KB this is not possible:

"The RDM vmdk pointer file must reside on a VMFS location, therefore the operation fails because the NFS protocol does not support SCSI commands over this interface."

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1001856