Error Adding Pure Storage vVol to Host

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to add a Pure Storage vVol to a host, the following error is encountered:

• "The selected storage container is already used by datastore 'vVol datastore'. Select a different storage container or change the name of the datastore you are creating to 'vVol datastore' to mount the existing datastore to more hosts."
  
  
• Additionally, one of the Pure Storage storage providers (either ct0 or ct1) appears offline in vCenter.

Environment

VMware ESXi 8.0.x

Cause

This issue typically occurs due to a misconfiguration or registration conflict between the Pure Storage VASA providers (ct0 and ct1), causing vCenter to fail in properly recognizing the vVol datastore across multiple hosts.

Resolution

Note: Ensure there is valid backup/offline snapshot of the VCSA prior to implementing the workaround. Refer to VMware vCenter in Enhanced Linked Mode pre-changes snapshot (online or offline) best practice

• Verify Storage Provider Status on the vCenter server on the vSphere UI
  
  
  • Navigate to vCenter > Storage Providers and confirm the status of both ct0 and ct1. Note: If one is offline or disconnected, proceed to the next steps.
    
    
• Unregister both Pure Storage VASA providers (ct0 and ct1) by navigating to vCenter server > Configure> Storage Providers, selecting each provider, and choosing Actions > Unregister to remove them from vCenter.
  
  
• Re-register the VASA providers (ct0 and ct1) by going to vCenter server > Configure> Storage Providers, clicking Add by entering the provider URL
  
  
• In cases if one of the providers still show offline or disconnected re-try to unregister both the providers and register them in opposite order (e.g., if you registered ct0 first, register ct1 first this time)
  
  
• Once both of the providers show 'Online' retry mounting the existing vVol datastore to the ESXI hosts.