When editing the configuration of a datastore cluster in the HTML5 client, or when Storage DRS tasks initiate the following error appears: A specified parameter was not correct PodConfigSpec.SpaceLoadBalanceConfig.FreeSpaceThreshold

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article has been created to explain the behavior of the SDRS settings and how to resolve a specific error which may appear.

Symptoms:
When editing the configuration of a datastore cluster in the HTML5 client or when Storage DRS tasks initiate the following error appears: 

A specified parameter was not correct: PodConfigSpec.SpaceLoadBalanceConfig.FreeSpaceThreshold

In the vpxd log located in you may see the following :

2018-07-09T07:47:22.454Z info vpxd[29068] [Originator@6876 sub=Default opID=d19e4897-####-####-####-########b45-5289198-auto-5289199-h5c:70139620-7a] [VpxLRO] -- ERROR task-1272853 -- StorageResourceManager -- vim. 
StorageResourceManager.configureStorageDrsForPod: vmodl.fault.InvalidArgument: 
--> Result: 
--> (vmodl.fault.InvalidArgument) { 
--> faultCause = (vmodl.MethodFault) null, 
--> faultMessage = <unset>, 
--> invalidProperty = "PodConfigSpec.SpaceLoadBalanceConfig.FreeSpaceThreshold" 
--> msg = "" 
--> } 
--> Args: 
--> 
--> Arg pod: 
--> 'vim.StoragePod:a1937012-####-####-####-########f22c:group-p8252' 
--> Arg spec: 
--> (vim.storageDrs.ConfigSpec) { 
--> podConfigSpec = (vim.storageDrs.PodConfigSpec) { 
--> enabled = true, 
--> ioLoadBalanceEnabled = false, 
--> defaultVmBehavior = "automated", 
--> loadBalanceInterval = 480, 
--> defaultIntraVmAffinity = false, 
--> spaceLoadBalanceConfig = (vim.storageDrs.SpaceLoadBalanceConfig) { 
--> spaceThresholdMode = "utilization", 
--> spaceUtilizationThreshold = 80, 
--> freeSpaceThresholdGB = 0, 
--> minSpaceUtilizationDifference = 5 
--> },

The above errors are examples only and exact entries may differ. 

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 6.7.x
VMware vCenter Server 7.0.x

Cause

This error will appear usually if the value for 'freeSpaceThresholdGB' is set to zero in the 'Edit Storage DRS Settings' within the HTML (Or Flex) Client.

The 'freeSpaceThresholdGB  = 0' as a value is not expected or valid for the parameter. The value should only be used when the Space Threshold setting within the Storage DRS Automation section is set to utilize space percentage. 

If you want to set a specific GB value for minimum free space, then you should select the appropriate radio button and enter a non-zero value.

Resolution

The default Value for this configuration parameter is 50 and minimum is 1. You can edit the advanced configuration parameter if it does exist and change the value to a none zero number or simply remove the advanced parameter.  

To resolve this issue, perform one of the following options. 

To remove the parameter using the Flex Client perform the following steps:

• Select the datastore cluster and click Edit.
• Expand the 'Storage DRS Automation' section and verify which Space Threshold option is selected. 
  • If the 'Minimum free space' radio button is selected, ensure a non-zero value is present (the default is 50GB and the minimum is 1GB). Expand the Advanced options section towards the end of the pane. Highlight the freeSpaceThresholdGB option and click delete. 

OR

• • If the 'Utilized Space' Option is selected, expand the Advanced options section towards the end of the pane. Verify if the freeSpaceThresholdGB option is present. If so ensure the value is not set to 0. If it is, modify the value as required (the default is 50GB and the minimum is 1GB). 
• Restart the vpxd service. 
  • Stopping, Starting or Restarting VMware vCenter Server Appliance 6.x & above services

To remove the parameter using the HTML5 Client perform the following steps:

• Select the datastore cluster and click Edit.
• Select the 'Runtime Settings' section and verify which Space Threshold option is selected. 
  • If the 'Minimum free space' radio button is selected, ensure a non-zero value is present (the default is 50GB and the minimum is 1GB). Select the 'Advanced options' section on the right. Highlight the freeSpaceThresholdGB option and click delete. 

OR

• • If the 'Utilized Space' Option is selected, select the 'Advanced options' section on the right. Verify if the freeSpaceThresholdGB option is present. If so ensure the value is not set to 0. If it is, modify the value as required (the default is 50GB and the minimum is 1GB). 
• Restart the vpxd service. 
  • Stopping, Starting or Restarting VMware vCenter Server Appliance 6.x & above services