OnTap Simulator 8.1.1 no longer running on ESXi 5.1 free

[rkeu]

I'm the only one with this issue? After upgrade of my ESXi host to 5.1 the OnTap Simulator 8.1.1 no longer work. I only get the follwoing error:

Cannot open the disk '/vmfs/volumes/<id>/vsim-DOT811-7m/DataONTAP-sim.vmdk' or one of the snapshot disks it depends on.

The system cannot find the file specified

VMware ESX cannot find the virtual disk "/vmfs/volumes/<id>/vsim-DOT811-7m/DataONTAP-sim.vmdk". Verify the path is valid and try again.

Before the Update everything worked without any issue. The vmdk Files are there, it also not works if i manually assign those disk files. I have also never made any snapshots, this cannot be the problem.

A re-download of the Simulator files and add to the Host, get the same issue.

[cratanamook]

Same problem here. I also tried upgrading VM hardware but no success.

[rkeu]

Ok, then let's hope NetApp is working on this issue.

[cratanamook]

Hi Roland,

           I got it working! The trick is in the name of the disk itself. Here's how I got it working. I think step 4, 5 and 6 is more relevant. Thanks.

1. Install vmware-workstation on my desktop (version 9)

2. add netapp 8.1.1 ESX version (vsim-DOT811-7m-esx) as VM to my vmware-workstation

3. right click manage and change hardware compatibility to workstation 9,,,

4. right click settings -> select harddisk 4 -> click utitlies -> compact

5. export as OVF template

6. import this OVF template to ESX5.1 (from web client) giving it a new name ie. test1

7. power on!

Regards,

Chakrit

[rkeu]

Hi Chakrit

Can you perhaps place the vmx file here, especially the Disk Part? And how are the Disk named now?

[cratanamook]

Hi Roland,

         Sure thing,, but sadly to say it boots up and let me do the config but then kernel panic out. I'm out of ideas, sorry.

-rw-------	1 root	root	1677721600 Oct  2 10:14 test1-73bb8b70.vswp
-rw-------	1 root	root	5370806272 Oct  2 10:37 test1-flat.vmdk
-rw-------	1 root	root	8684 Oct  2 10:38 test1.nvram
-rw-------	1 root	root	487 Oct  2 10:16 test1.vmdk
-rw-r--r--	1 root	root	0 Oct  2 10:10 test1.vmsd
-rwxr-xr-x	1 root	root	1751 Oct  2 10:14 test1.vmx
-rw-------	1 root	root	0 Oct  2 10:14 test1.vmx.lck
-rw-r--r--	1 root	root	260 Oct  2 10:10 test1.vmxf
-rwxr-xr-x	1 root	root	1728 Oct  2 10:14 test1.vmx~
-rw-------	1 root	root	268435456000 Oct  2 10:38 test1_1-flat.vmdk
-rw-------	1 root	root	490 Oct  2 10:15 test1_1.vmdk
-rw-------	1 root	root	1108344832 Oct  2 10:38 test1_2-flat.vmdk
-rw-------	1 root	root	487 Oct  2 10:15 test1_2.vmdk
-rw-------	1 root	root	1616904192 Oct  2 10:38 test1_3-flat.vmdk
-rw-------	1 root	root	487 Oct  2 10:16 test1_3.vmdk
-rw-r--r--	1 root	root	193589 Oct  2 10:38 vmware.log
-rw-------	1 root	root	96468992 Oct  2 10:14 vmx-test1-1941670768-1.vswp

Regards,

Chakrit

[rkeu]

Ok, thanks for the Info. So we have to see how we can fix this issue.

[stephent]

I can confirm this behaviour. I just put esx 5.1 on my server at home and tried to get the 8.1.1 simulator working. It came back with exactly the error you are reporting.

Looks like a 5.1 compatible release is needed.

Steve

[CCIE17603 · Accepted solution]

Everyone I have the fix. It's a VMWare issue. By default ESXi 5.1 does not load the the vmkernel multiextent module. See the KB Below.

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=2036572&sliceId=1&docTypeID=DT_KB_1_1&dialogID=448358018&stateId=1%200%...

The Fix: all you have to do is ssh into your host and  run this command from the cli: 

# vmkload_mod multiextent

The other stuff in this article didn't apply to me. All I had to do was run this command and my ONTAP Sims booted like usual, no issues. Unfortunately after a ESXi host reboot the multiextent module unloads and you have to perform this again to get your Sims to boot. If anyone can find a way to make this persistent with a switch or write a script that makes it load upon host reboot. I'm sure everyone would be very thankful.

[stephent]

This has certainly resolved the issue for me. Thank you.