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GrahamDunn
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Failed install on SuperMicro H8DA3-2 (LSI 1068E SAS controller)

Trying to get VMWare ESXi installed on a SuperMicro H8DA3-2 (http://www.supermicro.com/Aplus/motherboard/Opteron2000/MCP55/H8DA3-2.cfm). It uses the LSI 1068E SAS Controller, which is listed as supported in the I/O Compatibility Guide For ESX Server 3.5 and ESX Server 3i guide. However, I get the "could not find a device to install to" error, just after accepting the license.

Trying to manually load the mtp_scsi_2xx.0 module fails as well.

I've tried with no RAID, all drives included in a RAID0, and two logical drives, (RAID1 and RAID0).

Any hints?

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telnetcomm
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Graham:

The LSI firmware update provided by Supermicro put the controller into Initiator/Target mode which basically means no RAID. I'm not overly happy that RAID isn't supported by VMware on this controller. I wish they would put notes to that effect in the HCL.

Anyways, contact Supermicro support and they can get you the LSI Firmware update for IT mode which then should work.

Regards,

Bill

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nick_couchman
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I'm not familiar with that controller, but if it's a "fake raid" controller (requires a driver to keep the RAID in sync), then it may only work in JBOD mode and not with logical volumes. A few of the cheap Promise ones work that way.

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GrahamDunn
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No change in JBOD mode. The controller is listed as being supported though, so hopefully someone from VMWare might be able to tell me what the correct set up is...

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telnetcomm
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I have the exact same problem trying to install ESXi 3.5 Installable U3, but with a different Supermicro product that uses the exact same controller (LSI 1068E). We are using the Supermicro DatacenterBlade product with the SBI-7425C-S3 Processor Blade. The blade is listed as fully supported in the HCL

We are running 3 x 320 GB SATA drives in a RAID 5 array and are getting the same error. I have attached 3 screenshots showing the error, the RAID Configuration, and the lspci -v output.

Any help that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bill

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telnetcomm
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Graham:

After writing my first reply above, I received an email from Supermicro tech support (I had called and emailed them earlier in the day).

They have provided me with a BIOS update for the LSI Controller that they claim will solve my problem. I will try it out in the morning and advise on the results. In the interim, I suggest you call them up and explain your problem to them and they will likely provide you with the same type of update for the LSI controller on your motherboard. The update they gave me was specific for the B7DC3/E motherboard that is in the SBI-7425C-S3 blade modules that I have.

Regards,

Bill

telnetcomm
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Graham:

The LSI firmware update provided by Supermicro put the controller into Initiator/Target mode which basically means no RAID. I'm not overly happy that RAID isn't supported by VMware on this controller. I wish they would put notes to that effect in the HCL.

Anyways, contact Supermicro support and they can get you the LSI Firmware update for IT mode which then should work.

Regards,

Bill

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DigitalSon
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Any chance you could post this update? I too am having your exact issue w/ the same model blade set.

also curious as to your performance Smiley Wink

Thank you,

Austin G. Smith, A+, MCP, MCPS, MCNPS (Network Infrastructure)

DigitalSon, IT Services

www.digitalson.com

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telnetcomm
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Austin:

We gave up with ESXi on our SuperMicro hardware with the LSI 1068e controller. We HAVE TO have raid in our application and it just wasn't going to happen anytime soon. We ended up installing CentOS 5.2 and VMware Server version 2. This is not ideal for us, but we had no other choice. We have to have RAID support.

Bill

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DigitalSon
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I hear you on that! certainly need raid for mission critical application...

I am testing a few virtual products, but NONE recognize the raid.. I have contacted support, but was hoping you could post before they get back to me...

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