How to Install ESX 3.x on Bull NovaScale R460 or NEC Express5800 120-Ri2

[imck]

Hi everyone, I just purchased two Bull NovaScale R460 (it’s the same as a NEC Express5800 120-Ri2) to do same testing with VMware Infrastructure 3 evaluation. These computers are on the ESX Server 3.x Systems Compatibility Guide, so I thought that there would be no problems.

Well so far it’s been impossible to install ESX on any of the machines. First it fails to load the X Server during the install, so I carry on the install with the text install version. During the text install it detects the NIC ok, but it doesn’t detect the RAID controller. I download the latest drivers from LSI for REDHAT AS 3.0 but the driver fails to load also. I’ve tried to load the LSI Mega RAID SAS Controller that comes with the product and it doesn’t load either.

The RAID controller is an LSI MegaRAID SAS 8300XLP.

Any idea anyone?

Thanks to all,

Ivan

[wobbly1]

it appears that your raid controller isn't on the hcl. only the LSI MegaRAID SAS1064/68R

[imck]

Thanks, it's true. I took off the LSI MegaRAID SAS 8300XLP RAID controller and used the one that’s on the motherboard and I was able to install.

Any ideas on how I could use my RAID controller. I don’t want to have a ESX server without RAID and I don’t want to use software RAID.

Thanks a lot,

Ivan

[polarix]

Hi,

I've a similar problem.

The esx installation doesn't see my local harddisk.

The hardisks are connected to the onboard controller there is no additional raidcontroller installed.

So maybe someone has a hint for me.

Markus

[jer]

We have the same hardware and I had the same issue where I could not install 3.x onto the new system.

The system hung completely. Background info is that the system is listed on the HCL for systems and VM support informed me that, as long as your hardware and addon PCI boards have been delivered by the vendor, VMware supports it.

The addon HCL list is only for addon Hardware later installed to a system.

To come back to the problem, try to install the Novascale in text mode by typing ESX text in the selection screen during the boot. This worked for me!

(5x novascale r460 systems succesfully installed)

Note, the bios/firmware/raidfirmware have been upgraded with NEC's bootdisk version 1.0.6 (can be downloaded from www.nec.co.uk)

have fun!

Jer

[devzero]

i have 2 fsc tx200 s3 (for a project) and think they where well suited for esx.

tx200 s3 is on the HCL - but unfortunately the builtin Megaraid SAS controller 8300XLP is not being detected at all. 8300XLP is \_not_ on the HCL.

very weird - why does the HCL tell, the system is supported but doesn`t tell about the "bells and whistles" then ?

[devzero]

using the megaraid 3.0.9 driver update cd image for installation and

adding

device,0x1000,0x0413,scsi,LSI Logic MegaRAID SAS8300XLP,megaraid_sas.o

to /etc/vmware/vmware-devices.map

followed by

esxfcg-boot -p

and an init 6

did the trick for me.

now i wonder:

i`m using a server which is on the HCL, i`m using the supported , more recent megaraid_sas driver.

is this still a supported setup ?

[devzero]

\*bump*

[Cabe777]

When you installed the raid controller, did you move the jumper (I think it's labeled JCI2 on the mainboard) from position 1-2 to position 2-3?

[devzero]

>using the megaraid 3.0.9 driver update cd image for installation and

not perfectly sure here, but iirc, 3.0.2 installation medium also contains 3.0.9 driver. can`t check for now, but you may try 3.0.2 first before testing with update cd image

[Mark-M]

I am trying to install VMware ESX 3 using the LSI Logic MegaRAID SAS8300XLP controller card with no luck. What megaraid 3.0.9 driver update cd image are you refering to in this post?

[devzero]

this one:

http://www.vmware.com/support/vi3/doc/drivercd/esx301-megaraid_sas-3.0.9.html

i would also try esx 3.5 - maybe this also works

[Mark-M]

3.5 doesn't seem to work either. I just booted up from the CD you just refered me to. Now how do I modify the /etc/vmware/vmware-devices.map file? I don't see an option to get to the terminial after booting from the CD.

Thanks for the fast response yesterday!