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How do i set the block size in ESXi?

I am installing VMware ESXi 4.1 to as a clean install so reformatting is not an issue. I have read a few articles such as https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26524815/How-do-i-set-the-block-size-in-ESXi.html and I understand what I have to do.

However, I am using ISO image customized for DELL machines (downloaded directly from either DELL or VMware) and I don't see the option to start the installer in graphical phone and pressing ALT+CTRL+F2 has no effect.

So I am confused on how to get into the shell prompt. Any advice?

Thanks,

Wayne

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coolsport00

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Wayne88

ASKER

Hi coolsport00, I did try 5.1 as well but default is still 1MB. I prefer to have the ESXi installed on the drive because it is a RAID drive. Also, according to the KB I should be able to set the block size on the fly during the installation. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Wayne

SOLUTION

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

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Wayne88

ASKER

Thanks guys, I will install ESXi 5.1. I installed it before and was trying to go into the shell without success not realizing 5.1 is capable of supporting up to 2TB virtual disk.

coolsport00

As @hanccocka mentions...ESXi5 is 1MB block regardless; you have storage enhancements using ESXi5 as well

Having the hypervisor installed on a RAID has no performance benefit. The benefit it does have is redundancy, but if you install on a USB stick then create a 2nd for redundancy, you'd be ok, except if for whatever reason the hypervisor did crash, you'd have to manually take the orig USB out & place in the 2nd. In 5yrs I've used ESX/ESXi, I have yet to see or experience a hypervisor 'crash'...

Regards.
~coolsport00

Wayne88

ASKER

Thanks for information Coolsport00. Sorry, I meant to reply to reply to a different post and somehow got mixed up.