install ESXI on usb-SSD: shows no datastore?

[jerry5]

I am new to ESXI concept and practice.

I got a question on ESXI installation:

• Currently I installed ESXI on usb-attached 256GB SSD.
• But the weird thing is: I saw zero storage and no datastore, why?
• (screenshot-1:   shows zero storage capacity)
• (screenshot-2:  shows no datastore)
• (screenshot-3:  but we do see a storage device of 238GB)

Thanks!

(For reference, I attached three screenshots) 

 

[alantz]

I don't think ESXi will install a datastore by default since it knows it was installing to a USB device. You will have to manipulate the partitions manually if you want a datastore on your USB as well. Be warned this is probably only something you want to do on a test system.

--Alan--

 

[bluefirestorm]

Read this

https://core.vmware.com/resource/esxi-system-storage-changes#section3

For the sake of the life of the USB SSD, it is better to avoid using USB boot with ESXi 7.0. VMware officially recommends using locally attached storage for the ESXi 7.0 boot device and is moving away from use of SD cards and USB drives as boot device.

https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2021/09/esxi-7-boot-media-consideration-vmware-technical-guidance.html