How VMFS Block Size Varies
Here you will find out:
- what is VMFS block size
- how VMFS block size varies
- how DiskInternals can help you
Are you ready? Let's read!
VMFS block size and limitations
When creating a VMFS volume for an ESX Server, the user must pay close attention to the file system's block size. This affects the virtual disk file's maximum size, and changing it in any way without wiping the data would be quite difficult.
In VMFS 2 and VMFS 3, a short block size reduces the usable area for file fragmentation. Consequently, the 1 MB block size is preferable for constructing volumes. However, you are still free to use additional dimensions however you see fit.
The following are the primary restrictions and preferences for block sizes and the accompanying file sizes in VMFS 2 and 3 that you should be aware of:
For VMFS 2:
- 1 MB - 456 GB
- 2 MB - 912 GB
- 4 MB - 1.78 TB
- 8, 16, 32, 64 MB - 2 TB
For VMFS 3:
- 1 MB - 256 GB
- 2 MB - 512 GB
- 4 MB - 1024 GB
- 8 MB - 1488 GB
- 16, 32, 64 MB - Invalid block size
For VMFS 5: The newly created VMFS 5 datastores use one miniature block size of 1 MB.
For VMFS 6: This type of volume creation introduces two new block sizes: a small file block (SFB) and a large file block (LFB).
The SFB can vary from 64 KB to 1 MB for future use cases, but more often 1 MB is used. The LFB size corresponds to 512 MB.
How to choose block size for VMware VMFS
Based on the experience and knowledge of many users, using different block sizes for different data storage devices can be harmful, as can happen when you have a large enough storage medium, but VMDK is limited by the size of the block.
Therefore, it is most reasonable to choose the maximum VMFS block size, regardless of the size of the data store.
VMware VMFS block size: used space
The file block size is dependent on the size of your block. Thus, free space is not consumed quickly even if you have programmed a large block.
VMware VMFS block size: performance
Previous experience also tells us that the size of the block does not significantly affect the performance of virtual disks. But still, make a smart choice, and follow the recommendations described above.
How can VMFS recovery be performed?
There is a special, professional tool for this: DiskInternals VMFS Recovery.
This utility has been used for many years and automatically checks the current status of volumes, VMware VMFS data storages, and disks, as well as reads images in VMware vSphere, ESXi/ESX Servers, and VMFS structures where possible.
All information is restored online without shutting down the system. You will get a preview of the data found, which is necessary to verify that the program works and to give you peace of mind. If the results satisfy you, then purchase a license. Next, simply export the data to the desired storage location. At all stages of the process, you will be assisted by the Recovery Wizard, so there is no reason for concern!