ESXI installer can't detect RAID 5 virtual drive

[kiwolarg]

I tried to install ESXI 5.5/6/7 into my Intel S2600GZ and S2600GL serverboard. I have a RAID 5 virtual drive with ONLINE status, but all the ESXI installer unable to detect it.

Am I missing anything?

[IRIX201110141]

ESXI does not support Chipset or FakeRaids because there is no driver support.

Regards,
Joerg

[kiwolarg]

Hi Joerg,

My Raid are using intel esrt2, I tried to change it to rste and it show up my HD separately (6 HDs) during the installation. Is this the correct setup?

Do I have another alternative way to install ESXI 7.0?

Thank you.

Regards,

Wing Kar

[scott28tt]

Use a supported disk controller if you want RAID functionality: VMware Compatibility Guide - I/O Device Search

[NathanosBlightc · Accepted solution]

For any types of disk/array controller that is not supported by the ESXi (in any version) you will see each one of your disks separately in the installation wizard. However it's normal behavior but it's not recommended to install the ESXi in this situation. As Scott mentioned, first of all check the server platform and array controller model in the VMware HCL and truly it seems to be not supported!

So please use a supported model for the host installation. Remember none of the Software RAID is supported by the VMware ESXi.

[kiwolarg]

Hi Scott,

I checked the I/O Device Compatibility. My HDs models are Toshiba's AL13SEB300 and should be using a intel RS3DC080 Raid Controller which is in the list...................

[kiwolarg]

Hi Amin,

I check the compatibility list, I should be using a RAID controller RS3DC080, but as I checked on my BIOS. it shown as picture,

Does this mean that I don't have a RAID controller?

[a_p_]

In this case you'll need to create a custom installation image that includes the mentioned driver.

Alternatively (or for testing purposes) install ESXi on a USB device, then install the driver to see whether the RAID controller, and the volume is detected.

André

[NathanosBlightc]

In the ESXi installation wizard press the Alt+F1, then you will go to the shell environment. So you can run the following command to find the related information about your Array Controller. Then based on this information, you need to find the corresponding bundle driver and import it to the ESXi installation ISO via many ESXi customizing applications:

lspci -vvv | grep -i "Array Controller"

(Note: Try any other related keywords with the grep command to find it)

[kiwolarg]

I started doubting myself that do I even have a RAID controller.

The Storage module stated  -None- and it does not show up anything with the given command (I tried with different keywords, "RAID", "array", etc).

Does this mean that I do not have a RAID controller?

[NathanosBlightc]

Can you put the result when you run the lspci -vvv | grep -i "Controller"

[kiwolarg]

Hi Amin, This is the result I fetch from the script. I do not see any RAID related thing, am I looking for the correct thing?

[NathanosBlightc]

The result shows the Storage Controller (03:00.0 Serial Attached SCSI Controller: Intel Corporation c600/x79) is supported by the ESXi. However you can check its compatibility here for ensure ... But I think so you have no result for the RAID controller 😕 (For more information look it this link: KB1003916​​)

[kiwolarg]

Hi Amin, I had checked and requested for server replacement as the Storage Module are not compatible and there are no relevance driver for this Storage Module and ESXI 7.0 (The highest is ESXI 4.0). There is firmware for this to support ESXI 7.0, but I will have to flash the server. Thanks for the replies.