Knowledge Base

VMware ESX 5.x

To adjust the queue depth for an HBA:

1. Verify which HBA module is currently loaded by entering one of these commands on the service console:
   
   For QLogic:
   
   
   esxcli system module list | grep qla
   
   
   For Emulex:
   
   
   esxcli system module list | grep lpfc
   
   
2. Run one of these commands:
   
   Note: The examples show the QLogic qla2xxx and Emulex lpfc820 modules. Use the appropriate module based on the outcome of the previous step.
   
   For QLogic:
   
   
   esxcli system module parameters set -p ql2xmaxqdepth=64 -m qla2xxx
   
   
   For Emulex:
   
   
   esxcli system module parameters set -p lpfc0_lun_queue_depth=64 -m lpfc820
   
   
   In this case, the HBAs represented by ql2x and lpfc0 have their LUN queue depths set to 64.
   
   Note: If all Emulex cards on the host need to be updated, apply the global parameter, lpfc_lun_queue_depth instead.
   
   
3. Reboot your host.
4. Run this command to confirm if your changes are applied:
   
   esxcli system module parameters list -m <driver>
   
   Where <driver> is your QLogic or Emulex adapter driver module, such as lpfc820 or qla2xxx.
   
   The output appears similar to:
   
   
   Name                        Type  Value  Description 
   --------------------------  ----  -----  --------------------------------------------------
   .....
   ql2xmaxqdepth               int   64     Maximum queue depth to report for target devices.
   .....
     
   

VMware ESX 4.x

To adjust the queue depth for an HBA:

1. Verify which HBA module is currently loaded by entering one of the following commands on the service console:
   
   For QLogic:
   
   
   vmkload_mod -l | grep qla
   
   
   For Emulex:
   
   
   vmkload_mod -l | grep lpfc
   
   
2. Run one of these commands:
   
   Note: The examples show the QLogic qla2xxx and Emulex lpfc820 modules. Use the appropriate module based on the outcome of the previous step.
   
   For QLogic:
   
   
   esxcfg-module -s ql2xmaxqdepth=64 qla2xxx
   
   
   For Emulex:
   
   
   esxcfg-module -s lpfc0_lun_queue_depth=64 lpfc820
   
   
   In this case, the HBAs represented by ql2x and lpfc0 will have their LUN queue depths set to 64.
   
   
3. Reboot your host.
4. Run this command to confirm if your changes are applied:
   
   esxcfg-module -g <driver>
   
   Where <driver> is your QLogic or Emulex adapter driver module, such as lpfc820 or qla2xxx.
   
   

ESX 3.5

To set the queue depth for a QLogic HBA:

1. Log in to the service console as root.
2. Verify which QLogic HBA module is currently loaded:
   
   
   vmkload_mod -l | grep qla
   
   
   Depending on the model of the HBA, the module can be one of the following:
   
   
   qla2300_707_vmw
   qla4010
   qla4022
   
   
3. Run these commands:
   
   
   esxcfg-module -s ql2xmaxqdepth=64 qla2300_707_vmw
   esxcfg-boot –b
   
   
   The HBA represented by ql2x will have its LUN queue depth set to 64.
   
   The example shows the qla2300_707 module. Use the appropriate module based on the outcome of Step 2.
   
   
4. Reboot the host.
5. Run this command to confirm if your changes are applied:
   
   esxcfg-module -g <driver>
   
   Where <driver> is your QLogic or Emulex adapter driver module, such as lpfc820 or qla2xxx.
   

To change the queue depth of an Emulex HBA:

1. Log on to the service console as root.
2. Verify which Emulex HBA module is currently loaded:
   
   
   vmkload_mod -l | grep lpfc
   
   
   
3. For a single instance of an Emulex HBA on the system, run these commands:
   
   Note: The example shows the lpfc_740 module. Use the appropriate module based on the outcome of Step 2.
   
   
   esxcfg-module -s lpfc0_lun_queue_depth=64 lpfc_740
   esxcfg-boot –b
   
   
   In this case, the HBA represented by lpfc0 will have its LUN queue depth set to 64.
   
   
4. For multiple instances of an Emulex HBA being present on the system, run these commands:
   
   
   esxcfg-module -s "lpfc0_lun_queue_depth=64 lpfc1_lun_queue_depth=64" lpfc_7xx
   esxcfg-boot –b
   
   
   In this case, both HBAs lpfc0 and lpfc1 will have their LUN queue depths set to 64.
   
   
5. Reboot the host.
6. Run this command to confirm if your changes are applied:
   
   esxcfg-module -g <driver>
   
   Where <driver> is your QLogic or Emulex adapter driver module, such as lpfc820 or qla2xxx.
   
   

ESX 2.x

1. Edit the file /etc/vmware/hwconfig and locate the line for the QLogic adapter. It looks similar to:

   device.3.12.0.name = "QLogic Corp QLA2312/2340 (rev 02)"

   Make note of the string of three numbers between device and name.
   
   
2. In the /etc/vmware/hwconfig file, add one of the following lines to the end of the file:
   
   
   1. For ESX Server 2.0, add this line:
      
      

      device.vmnix.3.12.0.options = "ql2xmaxqdepth=nn"
      
      
   2. For ESX Server 2.1 and later versions, add this line:
      
      

      device.esx.3.12.0.options = "ql2xmaxqdepth=nn"
      

      
      In the example, 3.12.0 is the string of numbers taken from the QLogic line located in the previous step, and nn is the desired queue depth maximum. Be sure to save your changes.
      
      Note: The second character in ql2xmaxqdepth is a lowercase " L".
      
      
3. Reboot the host.