-----Original Message----- From: centos-bounces@centos.org [mailto:centos-bounces@centos.org] On Behalf Of Paul Griffith Sent: Friday, 18 November 2011 8:04 a.m. To: centos@centos.org Subject: Re: [CentOS] not using LVM for Linux VM guests?
On 11/17/2011 11:13 AM, Jon Detert wrote:
Hello,
----- Original Message -----
From: "Russell Smithies"Russell.Smithies@agresearch.co.nz To: "CentOS mailing list"centos@centos.org Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 2:37:54 PM Subject: [CentOS] not using LVM for Linux VM guests?
I came across an old post comment yesterday (from http://echenh.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-extend-lvm-on-vmware-
guest-
os.html ) discussing the "hack" of LVM on Linux VM guests and whether it's better not to use it to simplify disk management. I've re-posted the comment below, does it sound reasonable? Is it better to not use LVM on Linux VM guests?
--Russell
I've had the same question. I've decided to continue to use LVM, for these
2 reasons:
- my hypervisor, good, bad or indifferent, is VMware ESX 4.x and ESXi 4.x.
Those hypervisors can't create virtual disks greater than 256 GB. So, if I want a file-system larger than 256 GB, I have to have some other software - LVM, in this case.
Just to clarify one thing with large virtual disks. The size limitation is determined by the block size.
To create a file bigger than 256GB, the VMFS filesystem needs to have a block size larger than 1MB. These are the maximums:
VMFS-3 (ESX/ESXi 4.x)
Block Size Maximum File Size 1 MB - 256 GB (default) 2 MB - 512 GB 4 MB - 1 TB 8 MB - 2 TB
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1003565
With VMFS-5 has a maximum virtual disk size of 2TB minus 512B, with a 1 MB block size.
Cheers, Paul
I just did the vSphere 5 "What's New" course and it looked they'd pumped all the maximums up to usable levels now. Be nice if they could decide on a licensing model that made more sense...
--Russell ======================================================================= Attention: The information contained in this message and/or attachments from AgResearch Limited is intended only for the persons or entities to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipients is prohibited by AgResearch Limited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately. =======================================================================