Unmask Paths

When you need the host to access the masked storage device, unmask the paths to the device.

In the procedure, --server=server_name specifies the target server. The specified target server prompts you for a user name and password. Other connection options, such as a configuration file or session file, are supported. For a list of connection options, see Getting Started with vSphere Command-Line Interfaces.

Note: When you run an unclaim operation using a device property, for example, device ID or vendor, the paths claimed by the MASK_PATH plugin are not unclaimed. The MASK_PATH plugin does not track any device property of the paths that it claims.

Prerequisites

Install vCLI or deploy the vSphere Management Assistant (vMA) virtual machine. See Getting Started with vSphere Command-Line Interfaces. For troubleshooting, run esxcli commands in the ESXi Shell.

Procedure

1. Delete the MASK_PATH claim rule.
   esxcli --server=server_name storage core claimrule remove -r rule#
2. Verify that the claim rule was deleted correctly.
   esxcli --server=server_name storage core claimrule list
3. Reload the path claiming rules from the configuration file into the VMkernel.
   esxcli --server=server_name storage core claimrule load
4. Run the esxcli --server=server_name storage core claiming unclaim command for each path to the masked storage device.
   For example:

   esxcli --server=server_name storage core claiming unclaim -t location -A vmhba0 -C 0 -T 0 -L 149

5. Run the path claiming rules.
   esxcli --server=server_name storage core claimrule run

Results

Your host can now access the previously masked storage device.