Hardware Raid broken apart upon installation

[CompUTech01]

Hello,

I have a brand new server that I am attempting to install vSphere on. I have a physical Raid 5 key, and the raid array built. However, when I go to install I see all my disks separated. All information I have been able to find states that if it does this, I have a "Fake Raid" setup. I take this to mean that "Fake Raid" is referring to a software raid which is the opposite of what I have. Any help that the community can offer is greatly appreciated.

[daphnissov]

Only help we can offer is this:  Don't use software RAID. It's terrible to begin with and you're only asking for trouble. ESXi doesn't support it anyway.

[CompUTech01]

This setup is not a fake RAID. The server has onboard hardware RAID with a physical RAID 5 key, however, I cannot find a single answer to my issue.

[daphnissov]

What is this server, what is this alleged hardware RAID controller, and what is this RAID key? I have never heard of nor seen an adapter that behaves as you have described and not be software/fake RAID.

[continuum]

2 options:

- your onboard raid-controller is indeed a fake raid

- you have configured the onboard raid-controller to work in JBOD mode - this mode may use a different label - check the settings in the BIOS

[CompUTech01]

Intel® Server System R1208WTTGSR 88283

Direct from Intel

[daphnissov]

Software (fake) RAID:  Technical Product Specifications (TPS) for Intel® Server Boards and...

[CompUTech01]

Ok, so what if I installed vSphere on a separate drive. Will it then recognize the RAID?

[daphnissov · Accepted solution]

No, ESXi will not recognize nor will it work with any fake raid whatsoever.

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[CompUTech01]

Ok, thank you!