mbralign 5.2.1 will not align the correct file

[support_4]

I am trying to get mbralign to align one of my WinXP vmdk-files. I can use mbralign --scan "path" and get the message that this vmdk is not aligned.

With the machine still be shut down, I remove the --scan from the command, and then it starts trying other vmdk's on the host's VMFS volumes instead of the one I am pointing it to...?

Host is ESX4.1u1

Host Utilities are version 5.2.1

[ryanbradley]

Same thing is happening to me. Scan and Preview work ok, but when I run MBRAlign on its own it scans through all datastores.

As a workaround I have moved the VM to be aligned to a local datastore on the ESX Host.

The MBRAlign tool then worked OK.

[HSAVELKOUL]

The workaround to put the VM on the local storage works fine for me too. Unfortunately not all our vm's will fit on local storage

[KUMAR_VSPHERE]

Do SVmotion to other nas datastore then the improper VMDK name will be changed to the VMs name.vmdk. Then run  mbralign , it will work.

[SIGEPSPAM]

we found the same problem/resolution -- moving the VM to local storage on the temporary ESX (not ESXi) server let us use the v5.2.1 mbralign tool. However -- we ran into issues with large VM's not fitting into the available free space on this local drive. I even tried moving the backup-align files to the SAN datastores, but nothing. I too have a technical support case open with no luck. They actually closed the ticket and tried to pawn me off to Professional Services to pay for them to fix the issue. Whack.

[rodrigon]

For this reason (we ran into issues with large VM's not fitting into the available free space on this local drive.), I installed an ESX 4, put it in ESX cluster and ran mbralign direct on the datastore.

Nasc

NetApp - Enjoy it!

[SIGEPSPAM]

Nasc -- so if I ditch my temporary ESX4.1 server and re-install v4.0 -- will the current version (5.2.1) of mbralign work? I tried finding older versions on the NOW site to no avail. thanks...

[rodrigon]

Peter,

5.1 version corrupts files with ESX 4.1. You can re-install v4.0 and use mbralign 5.1 to get your VMs aligned.

See you,

Nasc

NetApp - Enjoy it!

[SIGEPSPAM]

so how does one acquire mbralign v5.1 -- the NOW site only has Virtual Storage Console for VMware vSphere v2.1 which contains mbralign v5.2.1...

[rodrigon]

Peter,

You can find it here: https://now.netapp.com/NOW/download/software/sanhost_esx/5.1/

See you,

Nasc

NetApp - Enjoy it!

[SIGEPSPAM]

Nasc and all -- I got it working and also got verification through NetApp technical support. There's a known bug for this issue that they're working on. So...I used ESX v4.1 U1 and used the mbarlign v5.1 version. No problems.

thanks for the tips/help.

[droach]

Anyone find a solution?  I have the same problem with mbralign where I tell it to align a particular VM and it goes off searching through every datastore looking at vmdk files of other machines.  A --scan or --preview finds the VM just fine, but when I remove the --scan or --preview it goes off searching every datastore.

[HSAVELKOUL]

Same problem here also. Scan works fine, but when trying to align the machine it seaches every datastore, then comes up with the message:

The same vmdk was found in multiple vmx files.

Please give explicit path to vmdk file location

This is not the case. the vmdk is only used in one VM.

When I try to specify the explicit path to the vmdk file location it comes up with the same error stated above.

[afgitdepartment]

use the 5.1 tools...i've had no problem with them.

Matt.

[droach]

The 5.1 version corrupted our templates.  VM's created from them were unbootable after running the 5.1 mbralign tool.  This is a "known" issue with 5.1 mbralign.

[HSAVELKOUL]

I'd rather not do that if it corrupts VMDK files on ESX4.1:

                                                                                                                                                                           

support@schur.com                                                2 posts since
Sep 9, 2008               

                        May 4, 2011 12:55 AM                            (in response to afgitdepartment)                                                                        Re: mbralign 5.2.1 will not align the correct file                                           

I've used the old version before too - but it broke the vmdk-files after updating to ESX4.1 and running it from a host on this version.

[afgitdepartment]

I have not had the problem with 4.1. Make a backup of the vmdk before and try it.

From: HSAVELKOUL

Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 08:41 AM

To: Matt Goli

Subject: "mbralign 5.2.1 will not align the correct file"

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Re: mbralign 5.2.1 will not align the correct file

created by HSAVELKOUL <http://communities.netapp.com/people/HSAVELKOUL> in Products & Solutions - View the full discussion <http://communities.netapp.com/message/60716#60716>

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I'd rather not do that if it corrupts VMDK files on ESX4.1:

../people/support%40schur.com/avatar/46.png?a=-1 <mailto:support@schur.com> ../4.5.5/images/status/statusicon-53.gif

support@schur.com

2 posts since

Sep 9, 2008

May 4, 2011 12:55 AM (in response to afgitdepartment <http://communities.netapp.com/14540?tstart=0#53285> )

Re: mbralign 5.2.1 will not align the correct file <http://communities.netapp.com/message/53294#53294>

I've used the old version before too - but it broke the vmdk-files after updating to ESX4.1 and running it from a host on this version.

1. of replies to the post:

Discussion thread has 8 replies. Click here <http://communities.netapp.com/message/60716#60716> to read all the replies.

Original Post:

I am trying to get mbralign to align one of my WinXP vmdk-files. I can use mbralign --scan "path" and get the message that this vmdk is not aligned. With the machine still be shut down, I remove the --scan from the command, and then it starts trying other vmdk's on the host's VMFS volumes instead of the one I am pointing it to...? Host is ESX4.1u1 Host Utilities are version 5.2.1

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[brendan80]

Did anyone find a solution to the issue with mbralign V1.4?

[afgitdepartment]

i'm having the same problems. i will post if i find any resolution

do your vmdk files by chance have a hypen in their name?

[afgitdepartment]

i believe i found a solution.  the mbrscan and mbralign in the  ESX 5.1 Host Utilities worked.

i first copied the host utility netapp_esx_host_utilities_5_1.tar.gz file to the esx host, then extracted this file with "tar -zxvf netapp_esx_host_utilities_5_1.tar.gz", then cd into netapp_esx_host_utilities_5_1, then run a "tar -xvf sanlun_bin_netapp.tar" and then cd into opt/netapp/santools and run the mbrscan and mbralign in there.

[support_4]

I've used the old version before too - but it broke the vmdk-files after updating to ESX4.1 and running it from a host on this version.