Install ESX 4.x formatting local VMFS volumes with a specific block size

To reconfigure the installer to format VMFS partitions with a specified block size:

1. Boot the ESX installation DVD and choose Install in graphical mode.
2. Press Ctrl+Alt+F2 to switch to the shell.
3. Run:

   ps | grep Xorg
     

4. Kill the PID which shows Xorg -br -logfile …. 
    
   For example, run:
    
   kill 590
    
   Where 590 is the PID, per above.
    
   Notes:
   • If you specified a GUI mode installation, killing the process identified as Xorg may switch you back to another console. If this occurs, press Ctrl+Alt+F2 to return to the previous console.
   • If after killing the Xorg process you get the message “Press <return> to reboot”, press Ctrl+Alt+F3 to go to another console and continue working there without rebooting.

    

5. To switch to the configuration directory, run:

   cd /usr/lib/vmware/weasel
      

6. To edit the configuration script, run:

   vi fsset.py
    

7. Locate class vmfs3FileSystem(FileSystemType).
8. Edit the blockSizeMB parameter to the block size that you want. It is currently be set to 1. The only values that work correctly are 1, 2, 4, and 8.

   Note: Press i for insert mode.
    

9. To save and close the file, press Esc, type :wq! and press Enter. The exclamation mark is needed to force the action of saving as the file is read only.
10. Verify that the content has been changed running:
     
    grep -i blockSizeMB fsset.py
     
11. To switch back to the root directory, run:

    cd /
     

12. To launch the installer with the new configuration, run:

    /bin/weasel