Dell SCV3020 Assigned New Disk But Not Allocated

Question

As the title mentioned, I've assigned a single new disk to my array in to try adding capacity to my already full storage types. However, it doesn't shows any progress even after 10+ hours of assigning the disk. I did choose the rebalance RAID immediately option when I assigned the disk.

I can't even access the VMFS datastore on the array anymore to delete any unused data because it's full (I encountered connection time out when rm -rf an unused VM folder).

Any assistance is much appreciated.

DELL-Joey C · Answer

Hi,

Can I check with you if you are seeing the storage having an error and showing it is in emergency mode?

Free space across the array is only 20.98 GB, which is extremely low for any rebalance operation. The system cannot start because Compellent requires free space for data movement during RAID rebalancing. Dell Compellent typically needs at least 10% free space per tier for efficient rebalancing. You currently have almost zero usable space. These actions free space at the array level, not inside VMFS. I can't be sure but I recall that there is a pause of rebalance; Check under Storage → Storage Types → Actions for rebalance options. Probably that will help for you to access VMFS.

hanisirfan · Answer

@DELL-Joey C​ yes the storage is in emergency mode. I can't find the 'Actions for rebalance options' in Storage Types. I would like to know why is it still not filling up the new disk that I've added to try add free space? What other options that I can do to fix it? I can't even reboots the storage because it's full.

DELL-Joey C · Answer

Hi,

You will need to allow more space for the storage to rebuild the data to the expanded drive, since the storage now is at 99%, where is not enough space for it to rebalance. You can refer to this article to try get more space for the storage to start rebalance: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-my/000118658/storage-center-alert-how-to-troubleshoot-emergency-mode

hanisirfan · Answer

@DELL-Joey C​ I've tried all the steps in the article. There is no snapshots, nothing in the recycle bin and there is no unnecessary volumes. I've also ran esxcli storage vmfs unmap -l 'DATASTORE' on my ESXi host and wait for couple of minutes. But, no luck. Is it really impossible for the new disk to be allocated as a free space now? I can't get the one time support as it would be expensive.

DELL-Joey C · Answer

Hi,

If you have already tried on the steps where it is possible to execute by yourself and it doesnot able to initiate the rebalance with available space, the only way is to contact support as there are other sets of commands to check the available poolpage, snapshots, threshold recovery, FreePageCount and many others. This requires the support engineers to check specifically, as it involve the data which is stored.

hanisirfan · Answer

@DELL-Joey C​ since the warranty for my SAN is expired, anything the support team can help without having to pay anything?

DELL-Joey C · Answer

Hi,

I am unsure of that. But, what I would recommend is that, try contacting and if the support requires certain fee, you can discuss what are the options available.

Or alternatively, you can try reaching out to Dell partner by using this search engine https://dell.my.site.com/FindAPartner/s/partnersearch?language=en_US&country=my&partnerType=findareseller. Use the filter tool on the left side, to locate your region and also select Storage.

Compellent

Dell SCV3020 Assigned New Disk But Not Allocated

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