Configuring Disk Partitions

HostStorageSystem manages low-level storage components including HBAs, SCSI LUNs, file system volumes, and so on. You can use this API to set up the partitions before creating, extending, or expanding a VMFS file system. See Setting Up Disk Partitions.

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ComputeDiskPartitionInfo – Computes the disk partition information based on the specified disk layout. The server computes a new HostDiskPartitionInfo object for a specific disk using the layout that is specified by the HostDiskPartitionLayout object. Inside the HostDiskPartitionLayout object, you specify the list of block ranges for that partition, and optionally the total number and size of the blocks. You can then use that information inside the HostDiskPartitionSpec when updating a disk partition.

■	ComputeDiskPartitionInfoForResize – Computes the disk partition information to support resizing a given partition. Returns the resized disk partition information as a HostDiskPartitionInfo object. You can then use that information inside the HostDiskPartitionSpec when resizing the disk partition.

■	RetrieveDiskPartitionInfo – Allows you to specify an array of device path names that identify disks and returns an array of HostPartitionInfo objects for each of those disks.

■	UpdateDiskPartitions – Changes the partitions on a disk by supplying a partition specification (HostDiskPartitionSpec) and device name.

After you have updated the disk partitions for the host, you must perform a rescan by using one of the following methods. Complete rescans might take a long time.

■	RefreshStorageSystem – Refreshes the storage information and settings to pick up changes, but does not explicitly issue commands to discover new devices.

■	RescanAllHba – Rescans all host bus adapters for new storage devices. This method might take a long time.

■	RescanHba – Rescans a specific host bus adapter for new devices.

HostStorageSystem methods are also used for setting up iSCSI storage. See Configuring iSCSI Storage.