HP P420i/P440i HBA Mode = on ( If you want to use embedded controller on DL series without the smart RAID and just as passthrough/HBA/ ITMode/JBOD controller

[Shafay2000]

After weeks of trial and error, finally figured out how to bypass the "SMART RAID" feature on HP Embedded controller and use it for vSAN. Here is the procedure worth my time to share with you:

To enable hba mode on HP P420i RAID controller on ESXi 5.5 here is the procedure that worked for me … just now.. HPSSACLI for ESXi 5.5, vibs are available for individual download and its also built in the HP customized ESXi 5.5U1 iso .

syntax http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03934591.pdf

Pre-reqs:

Make sure disks are wipe clean and no RAID exists

Make sure FW is latest v5.42

Make sure ESXi device driver is installed v5.5.0-44vmw.550.0.0.1331820  http://www.vibsdepot/hpq/feb2014-550/esxi-550-devicedrivers/hpsa-5.5.0-1487947.zip

Put host in MM, from ilo of ESXi in support mode (Alt+F1) execute the following

To View controller config using HPSSACLI with ESXCLI

~ # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller slot=0 show config detail”

To enable HBA mode on P420i using HPSSACLI

~ # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q “controller slot=0 modify hbamode=on forced"

Reboot the host & perform a scan and walah … disks will show up in vSphere web client for vSAN

[mdegrasse]

Yes it is supported, but strongly discouraged.

The queue depth would be shared with all 24 drives (bad) and a failure of the controller would impact all disk groups on that controller.

BTW the price of a SAS expander is twice the price of a P440 HBA. My advice, just add 2 additionnal P440 HBAs.

Check the VMWare blog bellow :

VMware Virtual SAN and SAS Expanders - Virtual Blocks

Marc

[Pupkin_Petr]

Understood. SAS expanders are now supported on DL380 Gen9 and you can add upto 16 drives behind a single controller.

[Pupkin_Petr]

Thank you very much for your answer!

[Pupkin_Petr]

I apologize for molestation.

Why do you use Raid controller in HBA mode, and not using the HBA card?

This is explained by tests?

[zchris06]

This may give you some insights.

Virtual SAN Hardware Guidance Part II - Storage Controllers - VMware vSphere Blog

[Pupkin_Petr]

Maybe I'm not the right question to ask. I try again. Why mdegrasse use Smart Array P440 (1000$), although there Smart HBA H240ar (350$)? Figures Queue Depth identical. The price is very different.

sorry for my English

[zdickinson]

Good morning, the P440 appears to be a better RAID controller (more RAID options, bigger cache, etc...), but for the purposes of vSAN I think you're correct; might as well go with the H240.  Thank you, Zach.

[Pupkin_Petr]

Thank you!