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3,546 Views 9 Replies Last post: Feb 23, 2009 12:54 PM by asatoran RSS
franc@bcn Novice
franc@bcn
22 posts since
Oct 22, 2008
Currently Being Moderated

Oct 28, 2008 9:52 AM

ESXi all in one only SATA box

 

Hi all,

 

 

I have reading a lot in the forums during this days but I can't cofigure my sistem properly that's  why i am doing this question to have thinks all clear.

 

 

I am trying to install ESXi in a new lenovo Thinkcenter desktop pc.It doesn't have any soft Raid neither a raid controller card it just has a 2  normal Sata ports with one 80GB HDD disk in it.

 

 

I  could install ESXi in the system but after the installation I would like to add all the free space Ieft in my 80Gb HDD as a datastorage but I cannot see any avalaible disk.

 

 

Is it possible to do that ?Which method do I have to follow if I want to accomplish that?

 

 

Many thanks

 

 

Jasemccarty Champion vExpert
Jasemccarty
3,886 posts since
Apr 5, 2005
Currently Being Moderated
1. Oct 28, 2008 10:30 AM in response to: franc@bcn
Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box

 

Do you already have a datastore?  If so your space is already allocated.

 

If you don't see a datastore, then the install probably didn't "like" the storage, and won't use it for a VMFS volume.

 

 

You could possibly put an add-in RAID card, and get it to work.

 

 

Dave's got some good info here (http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3.5/Whiteboxes_SATA_Controllers_for_ESX_3.5_3i.htm) with some controllers that others have had success with.

 

 

Jase McCarty

http://www.jasemccarty.com

Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

 

 

Jase McCarty - http://www.jasemccarty.com/blog/
franc@bcn Novice
franc@bcn
22 posts since
Oct 22, 2008
Currently Being Moderated
2. Oct 29, 2008 12:06 AM in response to: Jasemccarty
Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box

 

OK , just to clarify,

 

 

I have got a 8086_27c0 ICH7 82801gb/gr/gh Serial ATA Storage controller IDE which is in the list but I can't  create a datastore using this disk.I can install ESXi but not create a datastore.

 

 

Is that ok?

 

 

Thanks

 

 

Dave.Mishchen… Guru User Moderators vExpert
Dave.Mishchen…
11,904 posts since
Nov 15, 2005
Currently Being Moderated
3. Oct 29, 2008 12:56 AM in response to: franc@bcn
Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box

So when you run the install, does it automatically create a datastore1 for you on the drive?

franc@bcn Novice
franc@bcn
22 posts since
Oct 22, 2008
Currently Being Moderated
4. Oct 29, 2008 1:01 AM in response to: Dave.Mishchen…
Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box

 

No it doesn't create any datastore .

 

 

If I go to add datastore I can't select any.

 

 

As well I cannot see my controller under the list

 

 

Thanks

 

 

Dave.Mishchen… Guru User Moderators vExpert
Dave.Mishchen…
11,904 posts since
Nov 15, 2005
Currently Being Moderated
5. Oct 29, 2008 1:05 AM in response to: franc@bcn
Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box

You might want to try this install process - http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/ESXi_install_to_IDE_drive/ESXi_install_to_IDE_drive.php.   I've tested this with ESXi in a VMware Workstation VM which only had an IDE drive and I was able to install ESXi and then create a VM on the datastore which was on IDE.

franc@bcn Novice
franc@bcn
22 posts since
Oct 22, 2008
Currently Being Moderated
6. Oct 29, 2008 2:20 AM in response to: Dave.Mishchen…
Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box

 

I am sorry to bother but I am a bit desperate,

 

 

Step by step :

 

 

Now with a HPCompaq dc5800 and a SATA HDD

 

 

1) I tried to install using the CD ( I get an error 'Unable to find a suported device to write...) .

 

 

2) Went to teh console and  run lspci and I got the 2 port SATA IDE controller (ICH9).Ok I don't know what els I can do... for my point of view everything i all right....

 

 

3) I boot from the ESXi using the usb and it boots ok

 

 

4) I went to Vicen and I see the  what you have in the picture but I can't add any Datastore.

 

 

What else I have to do know to properly have and ESXi and a datastore in my system?What can I repair now?

 

 

franc@bcn Novice
franc@bcn
22 posts since
Oct 22, 2008
Currently Being Moderated
7. Oct 29, 2008 2:38 AM in response to: franc@bcn
Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box

 

Finally !!!

 

 

I change the HHD SATA port in the motherboard and know it works.

 

 

Sorry to bother and many thanks!

 

 

scooke Lurker
scooke
3 posts since
Feb 2, 2008
Currently Being Moderated
8. Feb 23, 2009 6:34 AM in response to: franc@bcn
Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box

 

Hi,

 

 

I can boot from USB, but It seems esxi doens't recognize my nic on the DC5800.

If  you from from usb stick, is this maybe different then installing esxi on the hard drive?

Do I have to modify some settings in the BIOS?

 

 

Tnx!

Steven

 

 

asatoran Champion
asatoran
3,621 posts since
Jun 23, 2006
Currently Being Moderated
9. Feb 23, 2009 12:54 PM in response to: scooke
Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box
scooke wrote:
Hi,
 
I can boot from USB, but It seems esxi doens't recognize my nic on the DC5800.
If  you from from usb stick, is this maybe different then installing esxi on the hard drive?
Do I have to modify some settings in the BIOS?
 
Tnx!
Steven
 
 
ESX and ESXi have a limited compatibility list for storage controllers and NIC.  If your NIC is not on the HCL, then you can check VM-Help.com for a list of working, but unsupported, devices.
 
I/O Compatibility Guide For ESX Server 3.5 and ESX Server 3i








                                


                                



                            




                                

                                


                                	

                                


                                

                        




                    


                


                


                


                























                        






            

            


            

		


    


    







    

    


        

        




        

	

    	
	





		

            

            




		






	

		
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