HP smart array b320i

[jimsuo]

Hi,

I had configured my esxi host to use the HP Smart Array B320i in a raid 0 mirror.  I am having issues currently with the HP ESXI 6.0 installer.  It simply does not see any logical volumes even though it does during POST.  I had no issues with the ESXI 5.0 and 5.5 installer/upgrade.

I have also upgraded the B320i firmware in hopes that it might fix my install woes, however it still does not see any hard disk during the install.  Could HP have forgot to include the B320i driver on the ESXI 6.0 image?

Anyone with insights please advise.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

[akarydas2]

It looks like the HP Smart Array B320i is not yet supported by VMware.

Check the :

VMware Compatibility Guide: System Search

[jimsuo]

are you saying that it isn't support in 6.0 yet?  I was able to load the hp driver during the previous 5.0 and 5.5 installs. 

[akarydas2]

I couldn't find the B320i at the VMware site although I was able to find the P410i and some others I am using.

[a_p_]

According to http://vibsdepot.hp.com/hpq/recipes/HP-VMware-Recipe.pdf the controller is supported by HP. Are you using HP's latest OEM image from June, 15th (Download VMware vSphere)?

Btw. RAID 0 is not a  mirror, i.e. you'll lose everything should one of the disks fail!

André

[jimsuo]

I meant Raid 1 mirror.  I always get 0 and 1 confused.

I was about to paste the same link to the recipe site.  I have indeed downloaded the HP June 15th image.  I tried to install on 2 of the exact configuration proliant server with out any success on detecting the logical volume. 

I am beginning to wonder if the driver is correct on the installer.  I do see it loading the "hpvsa" module. 

I am at a lost right now.

thank all for the input

jimmy

[jimsuo]

I have an update.  it appears that the march release  HP VMware-ESXi-6.0.0-2494585-HP-600.9.2.38-Mar2015.iso works!!  it saw my smart array logical volume.

Did someone goof up when they made the June image?  this is frustrating as heck

[cykVM]

Have you run latest SPP (Service Pack for Proliant))? But it seems that the hpvsa driver version -90 or -92 included in HP customized VMWare image is kind of buggy.

There are serious performance issues.

See Very slow acces to datastores on HP MIcroserver Gen8. Can't edit System Resource Reservation with vS...‌ and Problem installing B120i HP SATA driver DL380e on ESXi 6

[jimsuo]

yes, i have updated the firmware on the smart array using the SPP.    So are you telling me that the HP ESXI installer has firmware dependencies?  I find that odd that it's not backwards compatible.

[jimsuo]

Also, the installation process should load the raid driver so that the installer can see it. It shouldn't matter what version of the driver it loads, as long as it gets loaded properly.  I just think it is missing from the June 15th image.

[cykVM]

All hpvsa -9x drivers seem to be buggy, for me only the -88 or even -86 driver versions were working without issues. I had issues with the -90 and -92 driver on upgrade to VMWare 5.5 Update 2.

You may also read my thread: HP Proliant DL380e Gen8, HP OEM VMWare ESXi 5.5 Update 2 keeps crashing (PSOD)

I only can tell that HP gives certain firmware levels for driver versions.

You can check if the June image contains hpvsa driver, as per the release notes it's version -98 (scsi-hpvsa 5.5.0.98-1OEM.550.0.0.1331820)

But that was also tested by some of the users taking part in my discussion ... and not working.

[jimsuo]

have you tried the June 15th HP ESXI 6.0 image?  did it detect you logical volume during the install process?

[cykVM]

No, haven't tried that yet myself. But some others in my thread did. They experienced major performance issues like the guys with the Proliant Microserver and the B120i, which is using hpvsa, too.

I'll stick with 5.5 U1 as this runs stable without any issues.

[jimsuo]

i don't think i have issues with performance since my VMDK live on NFS mounted volumes. 

[jimsuo]

hey cykVM,

VMWare support tells me that b320i controller is not on the VMware HCL and is not supported by VMWare until HP sends it in to be certified.  Is this true?  i know you have an open issue with this controller.

[cykVM]

The B320i or B120i is not on VMWare's HCL, that's true. That's why you have to use the HP customized installation image which contains the partner supported hpvsa driver.

From my tests and the results from the other guys in my thread it looks like all version -9x drivers are buggy.

[jimsuo]

thank you for the clarification cykVM.  I guess i will update with the march ISO and manual patch to the June release via the esxicli

[JediGriffo]

Where are you downloading the March ISO from,  I can't find it anywhere any more.