Add a vDisk/vmdk to a running virtual machine via esxi command line

Hello,

if you want to add a new vdisk (vmdk file) to a running virtual machine, you can do it via command line.

First, connect to the esxi host where is the placed the vm that you want to add a new vdisk/vmdk.

Then go to the datastore where you want to place the new vdisk/vmdk:

cd /vmfs/volumes/WhatEverDatastore/

Then create the vmdk file using vmkfstools:

vmkfstools -c 150G --diskformat zeroedthick vDisk.vmdk

Finally, add the new vdisk to the virtual machine:

First, get the vmid of the virtual machine:

vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms

With the vmid, add the vdisk/vmdk:

vim-cmd vmsvc/device.diskaddexisting 464 /vmfs/volumes/WhatEverDatastore/vDisk.vmdk 0 3

Best regards,

Pablo

P.D: If you want a linux virtual machine be able to detect the new vDisk, check this.