Are you receiving the error message "failed to create VMFS datastore" when you try to create a new datastore? Then you are likely running the wrong version of the host software and need to update your host configuration. By performing these steps, you can resolve this problem and create a new VMFS datastore.
What is VMFS Datastore?
VMFS (Virtual Machine File System) Datastore is a system-level file system created by VMware for managing virtual machines on a variety of hardware platforms. It allows shared access across multiple VMware ESXi and vCenter Servers and provides features such as snapshots and cloning, high performance, and data protection and scalability.
Steps to Change Host Configuration
- Step 1: Log in to the vCenter Server to check the current version of the host software.
- Step 2: Check the compatibility of the versions with the version required by the VMFS datastore.
- Step 3: Download the latest version of the host software an install it on the host.
- Step 4: Restart the host system (if required) to complete the installation.
- Step 5: After the restart, you should be able to create a new VMFS datastore.
FAQ
Q1: What is the error "failed to create VMFS datastore"?
The error “failed to create VMFS datastore” occurs when you try to create a new VMFS datastore in vCenter. This is because the host software is running an old version which is incompatible with the version of the VMFS datastore.
Q2: What is a VMFS Datastore?
VMFS (Virtual Machine File System) Datastore is a system-level file system created by VMware for managing virtual machines on a variety of hardware platforms. It allows shared access across multiple VMware ESXi and vCenter Servers and provides features such as snapshots and cloning, high performance, and data protection and scalability.
Q3: What are the steps to change host configuration?
- Step 1: Log in to the vCenter Server to check the current version of the host software.
- Step 2: Check the compatibility of the versions with the version required by the VMFS datastore.
- Step 3: Download the latest version of the host software an install it on the host.
- Step 4: Restart the host system (if required) to complete the installation.
- Step 5: After the restart, you should be able to create a new VMFS datastore.
Q4: What hardware platforms is a VMFS datastore compatible with?
A VMFS datastore is compatible with a variety of hardware platforms such as Dell EMC, HPE, IBM and Lenovo, as well as the Huawei FusionServer series and the KVM hypervisor.
Q5: Does changing the host configuration require a restart?
Yes, a host restart is required in order to complete the installation of the latest version of the host software. After the restart, you should be able to create a new VMFS datastore.