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Rombus
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Installing ESX 3i on HP Proliant DL140 G2

I am trying to install ESX3i onto an HPProliant DL140 G2 but it is saying that there are no hard drivesavailable to install onto. I have also tried using the embedded USBflash version and it boots OK and I can connect using VI client. The problem is when trying to add storage Icant creat an VMFS volume because no hard disks can be detected.I relise the machine is not on the HCL but I was just hoping there

might be a possiblity that this can be made to work. Is their drivers I can use or a configuration setting I can change? Failing that, would it be possible to buy a new RAID card on the HCL and two new hard disks?

If new RAID card is the only option, what make card would I require and what hard disks. The expansion cards the motherboard has are PCI Express and 2x 64-Bit/133 MHz 3.3 V PCI-X slots.

Thanks for the help

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Dave_Mishchenko
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There are a number of cards that are not on the official HCL that work fine with ESXi. See this thread about monitoring and Adaptec cards - http://communities.vmware.com/message/1004988.

If you'd like to be able to monitor RAID, you'd need to get a supported system and even in some cases that is still not sufficient. The CIM providers far ESXi are a bit behind the monitoring you could get with ESX. You might consider getting a card that would be supported by HP in the DL140 and then monitor the card with a remote access card for the server.

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weinstein5
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If you were to buy a RAID card on the HCL then yes it shoudl work -

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Rombus
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lol, I dont like the word should. Anyone else tried this before and what results have you had.

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weinstein5
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sorry hazard of being consultant - always CYA - it will work - :smileycool:

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Dave_Mishchenko
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A g1 has been tested, but that was with an additional storage controller - http://communities.vmware.com/message/1025663. What model of storage controller do you have in this server?

Rombus
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So the solution was to use a Adaptec Serial ATA II RAID 2420SA card. I have searched the VMware HCL and cant see this card on the list. Also the solution the previous person using this card said that there was no way to monitor the RAID status from within ESX3i. Can anyone confirm a card that is on the list and that can be monitored using ESX 3.5i?

Thanks for the help.

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Dave_Mishchenko
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There are a number of cards that are not on the official HCL that work fine with ESXi. See this thread about monitoring and Adaptec cards - http://communities.vmware.com/message/1004988.

If you'd like to be able to monitor RAID, you'd need to get a supported system and even in some cases that is still not sufficient. The CIM providers far ESXi are a bit behind the monitoring you could get with ESX. You might consider getting a card that would be supported by HP in the DL140 and then monitor the card with a remote access card for the server.

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Rombus
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Thanks for your help, I will try a Adaptec Serial ATA II RAID 2420SA if we do not require RAID monitoring or an LSI1078 MegaRAID SAS 8708ELP1 if we do. Thanks again for your help.

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Rombus
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Just thought I would update everyone on how this project went. I ordered the LSI1078 MegaRAID SAS 8708ELP because we wanted to be able to monitor the health status of the array. I can confirm that this card does work inside an HP Proliant DL140 G2 and you can monitor the health status using ESX 3.5i. One thing that was required for this card was a PCI Express rizer card for the server because it is a PCI Express card not PCI-X and the server does not have a PCI Express rizer slot installed by default.

Thanks again for everyones help.

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alexk64
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Hi guys,

Interesting thread.

I have a HP Proliant DL140 G2. I will go with the Adaptec raid controller.

Thanks and regards,

alexk

drive the 64bit advantage
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