ESXi 5.1 U1 failed to install on Supermicro X10SLL-F motherboard

[Monchi]

Hi,

I tried to get ESXi 5.1 U1 up and running on my new homeserver. The server runs a Supermicro X10SLL-F Motherboard which is equipped with two network Controllers ( 1x Intel® i217LM & 1x Intel® i210AT)

The installation Fails with the message "No network adapters were detected".

I've downloaded These two generic Linux Driver packages: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=13663&lang=deu&OSVersion=Linux*&Down... , https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=15817&lang=deu&OSVersion=Linux*&Down...

Is there any way to inject those Drivers into the Installation Image? I only found some instructions tu inject prebundle Drivers with PowerCLI (e.g. http://wiki.daveking.com/index.php?title=Adding_Third_Party_Drivers_To_A_VMware_vSphere/ESXi_5_Insta... )

Best regards

Monchi

[vlho]

Hi,

VMware Front Experience: ESXi-Customizer

[Monchi]

Thanks for the advice but I still need some help to create a valid *.vib file (ESXi-Customizer-v2.7.1 say that injection files from *.tgz is deprecated and refers to the ESXi5 Community Packaging Tools for creating a *.vib file)

While reading the documentation i got stuck at this Point:

As a first step you need to create a gzip compressed tar archive (tar.gz

or tgz) of all the files that make up your software package. It is

necessary that

- all file paths in the archive are relative to the root (/) directory of the ESXi system, and

- all directories included in file paths must be explicitly added to the archive on their own

This is followed by an example (which files go in which directory). But a cant find this paticular fileextensions in the *.tgz which i've download from the Intel Homepage.

Intels *.tgz contains this files (for detailed Information see the attachment)

"

e1000e.7

e1000e.spec

pci.updates

src (Directory)

-various

-sourcecode files

"

Can some one give me a hint how to build a proper Folder tree out of this?

[vlho]

Hi Monchi,

you download driver from VMware:

VMware vSphere 5: Private Cloud Computing, Server and Data Center Virtualization

[Monchi]

thx. This is much easer than compiling the needed kernel modules by my selfe.

This package at least get one of the adapters to work.

It looks like i've to go the hard way for the I217 and compiled the modules my selfe.

[Wvarghese]

Hi Monchi,

were you able to get this to work?

I am having a heck of a time trying to get this card to work.  I also picked up a dlink dge-530t pci adaptor from the local Frys and even that doesn't work.  Sucks that the new Intel chipsets don't work and no one really sells network cards anymore.  I went though every model at the local Frys and not one of them is on the HAL list.

If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

[Monchi]

Hi wvarghese,

my final solution: switch to xenserver 😉

I didn't make it to compile the driver my selfe.

But if you want to give it try you should checkout this very detailed guide. You can download the source of the appropriate driver here. ESXi 5.1 already contains the needed module but it is an outdated version.

Maybe you have the needed skills to do the compile. Good luck!

If you make let me know.

Monchi

[Monchi]

Hi Wvarghese,

if your still looking for a solution. I found this thread ESXi 5.1U, Z87-PRO, Adaptec ASR-6805E

at the first post the required drivers for I217 are attached. The *.vib can be injected into the ESXi ISO before the installation.
(for a howto install the drivers on a already running server take a look at this blog post: Enable the Intel I217-V network card in VMware ESXi | www.ivobeerens.nlwww.ivobeerens.nl )