VMware Communities: ESXi all in one only SATA box ...

7 Replies Last post: Oct 29, 2008 2:38 AM by franc@bcn

ESXi all in one only SATA box

Oct 28, 2008 9:52 AM

franc@bcn 12 posts since
Oct 22, 2008

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

Reply Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box Oct 28, 2008 10:30 AM

Jasemccarty 3,368 posts since
Apr 5, 2005

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

Reply Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box Oct 29, 2008 12:06 AM

in response to: Jasemccarty

franc@bcn 12 posts since
Oct 22, 2008

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

Reply Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box Oct 29, 2008 12:56 AM

in response to: franc@bcn

Dave.Mishchenko 6,710 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator

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

Reply Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box Oct 29, 2008 1:01 AM

in response to: Dave.Mishchenko

franc@bcn 12 posts since
Oct 22, 2008

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

Reply Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box Oct 29, 2008 1:05 AM

in response to: franc@bcn

Dave.Mishchenko 6,710 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator

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.

Reply Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box Oct 29, 2008 2:20 AM

in response to: Dave.Mishchenko

franc@bcn 12 posts since
Oct 22, 2008

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?

Reply Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box Oct 29, 2008 2:38 AM

in response to: franc@bcn

franc@bcn 12 posts since
Oct 22, 2008

Finally

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

Sorry to bother and many thanks!

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