Enabling/configuring/disabling vCenter Server storage filters

By default, vCenter Server provides some storage protection filters to avoid storage corruption and to provide only the storage devices that can be used for a particular operation.

Unsuitable devices are not displayed for selection, for example, LUNs are already used by VMFS datastore or RDM disks.

You can control these filters using the vCenter Server advanced settings:

    
          
Advanced parameter           Description
        
          
Config.vpxd.filter.vmfsFilter           When set to false, you are allowed to add a VMFS volume to a VM, even when in use by another VM
        
          
Config.vpxd.filter.rdmfilter           When set to false, you are allowed to add a LUN as an RDM, even when in use by another VM
        
          
Config.vpxd.filter.SameHostandTransportsFilter           When set to false, incompatible LUNs are allowed to be added as extents
        
          
Config.vpxd.filter.hostRescanFilter           When set to false, the auto rescan for all hosts is disabled after adding storage
        
  

You can change those settings with the vSphere Web Client by selecting the vCenter Server object and then the Configure tab. Advanced parameters are available under Settings | Advanced Settings | Edit.

To disable these features, in the value textbox, enter False for the specified key.

For more information, see the vSphere 6.5 Storage guide (https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.5/com.vmware.vsphere.storage.doc/GUID-EC4B7E67-9802-4BFE-8041-435C2375CF64.html).