Unable to configure commvault mediaagent server for LAN free backup

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms: 

• When trying to configure Commvault Media agent server to perform LAN-free backups meaning data transfer occurring directly over the storage network rather than through the regular LAN this error is encountered:

Warning: /dev/sdne contains a VMFS partition however the first extent cannot be located.

Warning: /dev/sdnf contains a VMFS partition however the first extent cannot be located.

Warning: /dev/sdng contains a VMFS partition however the first extent cannot be located.

 

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.x

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

 

Cause

This warning likely indicates that the Commvault MediaAgent is unable to detect the primary extent of the VMFS datastore, potentially due to zoning issues on the fabric switch, limited visibility to datastore extents, or incorrect LUN mapping

Resolution

Verify LUN zoning and masking on the fabric switch to ensure the Commvault MediaAgent has access to all VMFS extents, particularly the first. Use the vSphere Client to check the number of extents under Datastore > Configure > Device Backing, and Contact the storage vendor to confirm that all required LUNs are properly mapped and visible.