Formatting a new LUN in ESXi fails with the error: No Implementation: Support for adding partitions to disk label is not implemented yet
search cancel

Formatting a new LUN in ESXi fails with the error: No Implementation: Support for adding partitions to disk label is not implemented yet

book

Article ID: 323122

calendar_today

Updated On:

Products

VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:
  • Cannot format a new LUN in ESXi 
  • Formatting a LUN with a VMFS filesystem fails
  • When formatting the LUN through the vSphere Client via the Add Storage wizard, you see the error:

    "Call "HostDatastoreSystem.QueryVmfsDatastoreCreateOptions" for object "datastoreSystem-xx" on vCenter Server "hostname" failed."
     
  • In the /var/log/hostd.log file, you see errors similar to:

    --> Unable to read partition table for device /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.60060480000190103951533030311234
    -->
    -->
    2013-04-01T16:41:16.183Z [707B2B90 verbose 'HostsvcPlugin' opID=5A69CDDC-00000049] Failed to get disk partition information for /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.60060480000190103951533030311234
    2013-04-01T16:41:16.199Z [700C3B90 verbose 'Partitionsvc' opID=5A69CDDC-0000004A] InvokePartedUtil /sbin/partedUtil "getptbl" "/vmfs/devices/disks/naa.60060480000190103951533030311234"
    2013-04-01T16:41:16.200Z [700C3B90 info 'SysCommandPosix' opID=5A69CDDC-0000004A] ForkExec(/sbin/partedUtil) 18052899
    2013-04-01T16:41:16.234Z [700C3B90 warning 'Partitionsvc' opID=5A69CDDC-0000004A] Unable to get partition information for /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.60060480000190103951533030311234
    2013-04-01T16:41:16.235Z [700C3B90 warning 'Partitionsvc' opID=5A69CDDC-0000004A] Status : 255
    --> Output:
    --> Error : No Implementation: Support for adding partitions to <partition label> disk labels is not implemented yet.
    --> No Implementation: Support for adding partitions to
    <partition label> disk labels is not implemented yet.
    --> No Implementation: Support for reading
    <partition label> disk labels is is not implemented yet.
    --> Unable to read partition table for device /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.60060480000190103951533030311234
 
  • Running the partedUtil command to get the partition table information from the device fails with the error:

    # partedUtil getptbl /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.6782bcb05aaba500192cb7ba0fb0d801
    Error: Invalid partition table on /dev/disks/naa.6782bcb05aaba500192cb7ba0fb0d801 -- wrong signature 0.
    Unable to read partition table for device /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.6782bcb05aaba500192cb7ba0fb0d801


Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.7
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.5

Cause

This issue occurs if the LUN is not blank and contains an unsupported disk label type, which prevents the host from obtaining information about its properties.

Resolution

To work around this issue, either zero-out the LUN from the storage array or apply a compatible disk label type using the partedUtil command on the ESXi host. Applying a legacy MBR (msdos) or GTP type disk label to the LUN allows it to be used in conjunction with the Add Storage Wizard.

Warning: This procedure has the potential to cause data loss if it is applied against the incorrect LUN. Ensure to validate that you have the correct NAA identifier before proceeding. For more information, see Identifying disks when working with VMware ESX/ESXi (1014953).

To apply a legacy msdos type partition label, run this command:

# partedUtil mklabel /dev/disks/naa_id msdos

For example:
 
# partedUtil mklabel /dev/disks/naa.60060480000190103951533030311234 msdos

After running this command, the partition table must be able to be read using this command:

# partedUtil getptbl /vmfs/devices/disks/naa_id

You must now be able to format the LUN using the Add Storage Wizard from the vSphere Client.


Additional Information