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How to change Sector Size for a VHDX File

Answered How to change Sector Size for a VHDX File

  • Sunday, January 20, 2013 9:20 AM
     
     
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    Hi All

    I got a Message in Best Practice Analyzer regarding 4k Sector Size and vhdx Files on this Disk.

    There is a Solution described here: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/13075.hyper-v-avoid-using-virtual-hard-disks-with-a-sector-size-less-than-the-sector-size-of-the-physical-storage-that-stores-the-virtual-hard-disk-file.aspx

    But there is no Link or Information how to do this Resolution.

    Are there any more Informations?

    Regards

    Gargamelius

     

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  • Monday, January 21, 2013 4:56 AM
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    Hi,

    Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 introduces support for large sector size disks to help ensure compatibility with emerging innovations in storage hardware.

    The data storage industry is transitioning the physical format of hard disk drives from 512-byte sectors to 4096-byte sectors (also known as 4K or 4 KB sectors). This transition is driven by several factors, including increases in storage density and reliability.

    Refer to following steps to verify the sector size of your physical drive:

    1. Install http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982018
    2. Run the following command from elevated command prompt:

    Fsutil fsinfo ntfsinfo x: (where x: represents the drive that you are checking)

    3. Use the values for "Bytes Per Sector" and "Bytes per Physical Sector" to determine the kind of drive that you have. To do this, use the following table:

    Bytes Per Sector" value

    "Bytes per Physical Sector" value

    Drive type

    4096

    4096

    4K native

    512

    4096

    Advanced Format (also known as 512E)

    512

    512

    512-byte native

    I don’t find how to “report a physical sector size”, you may use the first solution, create new 4KB sector disk and perform a storage migration to move VHD data to the new disk.

    For more information please refer to following MS articles:

    Advanced format (4K) disk compatibility update (Windows)
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh848035(v=vs.85).aspx
    Microsoft support policy for 4K sector hard drives in Windows
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2510009
    Hyper-V Support for Large Sector Disks Overview
    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831459

    Hope this helps!

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    Lawrence

    TechNet Community Support

     
  • Thursday, January 24, 2013 6:14 AM
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    Hi,

    I would like to confirm what is the current situation? Have you resolved the problem or do you have any further progress?

    If there is anything that we can do for you, please do not hesitate to let us know, and we will be happy to help.

    Lawrence

    TechNet Community Support

     
  • Saturday, January 26, 2013 10:03 AM
     
     
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    Hi,

    This is only a Server 2008-R2/Win7 Fix: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982018. I guess Server 2012 includes this fix allready.

    I have a 512E Drive.

    How I create a new 4KB sector disk?

    Regards

    Gargamelius

     
  • Saturday, January 26, 2013 3:47 PM
     
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    Native support for 4KB drives was added to 2012.  2008 only supported 512E.

    .:|:.:|:. tim