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enealDC
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vSphere 7.0b -- Cannot use Intel DC 3700 PCI-E as datastore?

Hi. I have an odd issue going on and for the life of me, I can't seem to figure it out.
I have an Intel DC 3700 PCI-E nvme device in a R720 onto which I've installed vSphere 7.0b. I was expecting to use this device as data store but ESX only detects it as a nvme hba?

// adapter list

[root@localhost:~] esxcli nvme adapter list

Adapter  Adapter Qualified Name                                                                   Transport Type  Driver     Associated Devices

-------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------  ---------  ------------------

vmhba2   aqn:nvme_pcie:nqn.2014-08.org.nvmexpress80868086CVFT54700070800CGN__INTEL_SSDPEDMD800G4  PCIe            nvme_pcie

[root@localhost:~] esxcli nvme controller list

Name                                                                                        Controller Number  Adapter  Transport Type  Is Online

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------  -------  --------------  ---------

nqn.2014-08.org.nvmexpress_8086_INTEL_SSDPEDMD800G4_____________________CVFT54700070800CGN                256  vmhba2   PCIe                 true

ess

// storage core adapter list

[root@localhost:~] esxcli storage core adapter list

HBA Name  Driver     Link State  UID                                     Capabilities         Description

--------  ---------  ----------  --------------------------------------  -------------------  -----------

vmhba0    vmw_ahci   link-n/a    sata.vmhba0                                                  (0000:00:1f.2) Intel Corporation Patsburg 6 Port SATA AHCI Controller

vmhba1    lsi_mr3    link-n/a    sas.5d4ae520a21a7f00                                         (0000:02:00.0) Broadcom PERC H710P Mini (for monolithics)

vmhba2    nvme_pcie  link-n/a    pcie.4100                                                    (0000:41:00.0) Intel Corporation DC P3700 SSD

vmhba32   vmkusb     link-n/a    usb.vmhba32                                                  () USB

vmhba64   qfle3i     unbound     iscsi.vmhba64                           Second Level Lun ID  QLogic 57800 10 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

vmhba65   qfle3f     link-down   fcoe.2000d4ae52918103:2001d4ae52918103  Second Level Lun ID  () QLogic Inc. FCoE Adapter

vmhba66   qfle3i     unbound     iscsi.vmhba66                           Second Level Lun ID  QLogic 57800 10 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

vmhba67   qfle3f     link-down   fcoe.2000d4ae52918105:2001d4ae52918105  Second Level Lun ID  () QLogic Inc. FCoE Adapter

vmhba69   iscsi_vmk  online      iscsi.vmhba69                           Second Level Lun ID  iSCSI Software Adapter

However, when I do storage core device list, I do not see any devices attached to the vmhba2?

What am I missing here?  I believe I have all the requisite drivers/software:

[root@localhost:~] esxcli software vib list | grep nvme

brcmnvmefc                     12.4.293.2-3vmw.700.1.0.15843807   VMW     VMwareCertified   2020-09-09

nvme-pcie                      1.2.2.14-1vmw.700.1.25.16324942    VMW     VMwareCertified   2020-09-09

nvmerdma                       1.0.0.0-1vmw.700.1.0.15843807      VMW     VMwareCertified   2020-09-09

lsuv2-nvme-pcie-plugin         1.0.0-1vmw.700.1.25.16324942       VMware  VMwareCertified   2020-09-29

vmware-esx-esxcli-nvme-plugin  1.2.0.37-1vmw.700.1.25.16324942    VMware  VMwareCertified   2020-09-29

The device is healthy. It is using 4K sector size. Could that be the issue? I've tried to reformat it using data center tool but it doesn't seem to "work".

Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.

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depping
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Seems there are known issues with the device, another person reported an issue here:

esxi 6.5u2 - nvme disk only shows up IF another disk exists

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depping
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I am assuming you are running the firmware version mentioned om the IO VMware Compatibility Guide?

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enealDC
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Yes, using the firmware as detailed in the guide:

- Intel SSD DC P3700 Series CVFT54700070800CGN -

Bootloader : 8B1B0133

DevicePath : \\\\.\\PHYSICALDRIVE1

DeviceStatus : Healthy

Firmware : 8DV101H0

FirmwareUpdateAvailable : The selected drive contains current firmware as of this tool release.

Index : 0

ModelNumber : INTEL SSDPEDMD800G4

ProductFamily : Intel SSD DC P3700 Series

SerialNumber : CVFT54700070800CGN

VMware Compatibility Guide - I/O Device Search

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