VMware Communities: ESXi all in one only SATA box

9 Replies Last post: Feb 23, 2009 12:54 PM by asatoran

ESXi all in one only SATA box

Oct 28, 2008 9:52 AM

franc@bcn 19 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 3,773 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 19 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 8,436 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 19 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 8,436 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 19 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 19 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!

Reply Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box Feb 23, 2009 6:34 AM

in response to: franc@bcn

scooke 3 posts since
Feb 2, 2008

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

Reply Re: ESXi all in one only SATA box Feb 23, 2009 12:54 PM

in response to: scooke

asatoran 2,586 posts since
Jun 23, 2006

scooke wrote:
Hi,

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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