Enabling vStorage API for Array Integration

What is it?
By default these three primitives described above are not enabled upon install and must be enabled in the advanced settings for the ESX server, and they must have the correct array firmware loaded for this feature to work. Enabling or disabling these primitives is done through the advanced settings on the ESX servers.

Three settings under advanced settings:
  • DataMover.HardwareAcceleratedMove - full copy (1 is enabled, 0 is disabled)
  • DataMover.HardwareAcceleratedInit - block zeroing (1 is enabled, 0 is disabled)
  • VMFS3.HardwareAcceleratedLocking - hardware-assisted locking (1 is enabled, 0 is disabled)


It is listed in the index and table of contents as “storage hardware acceleration.”
In the 4.1 release, the VAAI is supported for block-based storage only and requires the six storage partners to update firmware supporting this vStorage API for Array Integration.


Extracted from the what's new: vSphere 4.1

Where is it?

Click the ESX or ESXi server in viclient --> Configure --> Advanced Settings -->

Datamover 
- HardwareAcceleratedMove
- HardwareAccelerationInit

VMFS3
- HardwareAcceleratedLocking

Why is Block Level Locking important?
It helps combat the best practice of only having a configuration maximum of 10 VMDK's per LUN due to LUN locking practices in VMware.   This removes the limitation and increases performance.

Comments