If you use I/O filters provided by third parties, install the I/O filters in an ESXi host cluster.

VMware partners create I/O filters through the vSphere APIs for I/O Filtering (VAIO) developer program.

The filter packages are distributed as solution bundle ZIP packages that can include I/O filter daemons, I/O filter libraries, CIM providers, and other associated components.

Typically, to deploy the filters, you run installers provided by vendors. Installation is performed at an ESXi cluster lever. You cannot install the filters on selected hosts directly.

Note: If you plan to install I/O filters on the vSphere 7.0 and later cluster, your cluster cannot include ESXi 6.x hosts. Filters built using the vSphere 6.x VAIO program cannot work on ESXi 7.0 and later hosts because the CIM provider is 32-bit on ESXi 6.x and 64-bit on ESXi 7.0 and later. In turn, filters built using the vSphere 7.0 and later VAIO program are not supported on ESXi 6.x hosts.

Prerequisites

  • Required privileges: Host.Configuration.Query patch.
  • Verify that the I/O filter solution is certified by VMware.

Procedure

  • ♦ Run the installer that the vendor provided.
    The installer deploys the appropriate I/O filter extension on vCenter Server and the filter components on all hosts within a cluster.

    A storage provider, also called a VASA provider, is automatically registered for every ESXi host in the cluster. Successful auto-registration of the I/O filter storage providers triggers an event at the host level. If the storage providers fail to auto-register, the system raises alarms on the hosts.