hello
version : Esxi 5.1.0 U1
my dell R710 servers are running with BMC 5709 (drivers bnx2).
i can use the ISCSI broadcom adapter (vmhabxx) to bind ISCSI network
now i have a new Dell R720 with quad port BMC 5719 and BMC 5720 (drivers tg3)
i can't use the ISCSI broadcom adapter because they are not displayed.
i must use for the moment the ISCSI software adapter
how can i fix this to be able tu use ISCSI broadcom adapter in R720 ?
is this a driver problem ? can i change it ?
All ESXi installation are done with Esxi Dell custom ISO
thanks
You need to install async driver check this KB VMware KB: Installing async drivers on ESXi 5.x
Download your driver from here https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/details?downloadGroup=DT-ESXI50-BROADCOM-TG3-3129DV501&productId=...
Adding to Mustafa .. Yes it is a driver problem and you have to install the updated drivers, you can download the drivers from the below link
VMware vSphere 5: Private Cloud Computing, Server and Data Center Virtualization.,
And you can follow the above KB listed by mustafa to install the drivers.
Thanks for the answers, but that's don't work.
~ # esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/VM4-Local-R1/tg3-3.129d.v50.1-offline_bundle-1013484.zip
Installation Result
Message: Host is not changed.
Reboot Required: false
VIBs Installed:
VIBs Removed:
VIBs Skipped: Broadcom_bootbank_net-tg3_3.129d.v50.1-1OEM.500.0.0.472560
~ # esxcli network nic list
Name PCI Device Driver Link Speed Duplex MAC Address MTU Description
------ ------------- ------ ---- ----- ------ ----------------- ---- -------------------------------------------------------
vmnic0 0000:001:00.0 tg3 Up 1000 Full 90:b1:1c:54:07:5e 1500 Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5720 Gigabit Ethernet
vmnic1 0000:001:00.1 tg3 Up 1000 Full 90:b1:1c:54:07:5f 1500 Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5720 Gigabit Ethernet
vmnic2 0000:002:00.0 tg3 Up 1000 Full 90:b1:1c:54:07:60 1500 Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5720 Gigabit Ethernet
vmnic3 0000:002:00.1 tg3 Up 1000 Full 90:b1:1c:54:07:61 1500 Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5720 Gigabit Ethernet
vmnic4 0000:004:00.0 tg3 Up 1000 Full 00:0a:f7:11:d6:e4 1500 Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5719 Gigabit Ethernet
vmnic5 0000:004:00.1 tg3 Up 1000 Full 00:0a:f7:11:d6:e5 1500 Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5719 Gigabit Ethernet
vmnic6 0000:004:00.2 tg3 Up 1000 Full 00:0a:f7:11:d6:e6 1500 Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5719 Gigabit Ethernet
vmnic7 0000:004:00.3 tg3 Up 1000 Full 00:0a:f7:11:d6:e7 1500 Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5719 Gigabit Ethernet
~ # ethtool -i vmnic4
driver: tg3
version: 3.129d.v50.1
firmware-version: FFV7.4.8 bc 5719-v1.31
bus-info: 0000:04:00.0
~ # ethtool -i vmnic0
driver: tg3
version: 3.129d.v50.1
firmware-version: FFV7.4.8 bc 5720-v1.30
bus-info: 0000:01:00.0
i installed the latest version 3.131, but the Broadcom ISCSI Adapter are still not displayed in the Storage Adapter
~ # esxcli software vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/VM4-Local-R1/tg3-3.131d.v50.1-offline_bundle-1131484.zip
Installation Result
Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective.
Reboot Required: true
VIBs Installed: Broadcom_bootbank_net-tg3_3.131d.v50.1-1OEM.500.0.0.472560
VIBs Removed: Broadcom_bootbank_net-tg3_3.129d.v50.1-1OEM.500.0.0.472560
VIBs Skipped:
I got the following note from vSphere Storage Guide for 5.1
"If the dependent hardware adapter does not appear on the list of storage adapters, check whether it needs to be licensed. See your vendor documentation."
I am not sure if this matters in your case but worth checking, let us know if this helps.
Dell Technician said that all Broadcom NIC are always TOE Licensed. there is no need to activate it.
But if i want to check this, i must run these NICs under Windows with the BACS utility. (not easy to do yet)
I haven't worked on this particular card hence trying some shots in the dark, have you checked the BIOS settings for this card anything suspicious?
I've checked server BIOS and NIC BIOS, and i didn't saw anything about this.
Can you try using Dell Recovery ISO for vSphere which can be found here Driver Details | Dell US
Thanks
Can i use a bnx2 drivers instead the tg3 drivers on BCM5718/19 ??
From broadcom :
The NetXtreme (tg3) doesn't support iSCSI-Offload or Toe, so it is expected that you don't see iSCSI devices with these NICs.
I have the same problem, new Proliant with BCM 5719. Did you ever find a fix for this? It is very annoying since BCM 5709 worked perfectly and HP changed them on the new generation of Proliants.
sory..no fix.
i am still using the ISCSI software adapter.
thanks. reading the Broadcom and HP specs, looks like I will have to get a different card. How is the software ISCSI working for you? I have 2 existing hosts that are using the old Broadcom hardware ISCSI and the new additional host will be using software ISCSI unless I find a replacement card
Hi,
As stated in the HCL, the BCM5719 is supported with driver tg3.
VMware Compatibility Guide: I/O Device Search
And, as per Bertrand, considering driver TG3 is not iSCSI Offload or TOE aware, it's almost expected that iSCSI device are not available for ESXi.
I suggest that you contact your vendor to change them with ESXi compliant net cards.
Anyway, remember that, with the processing power embedded in current CPU, it's not usually that worth to have a HW dependant iSCSI device. TOE or iSCSI offload are really useful under some condition, obviously mostly when High I/O usage rates are proven (which is definetly rare). A good network design is often better than an iSCSI Offload aware network card.
the ISCSI software adapter is running properly (9 Windows VM and 1 RHLE/Oracle 11 on this host ).
I will not change for a replacement card because I/O rate are pretty low on this host.
In most case (98% I guess ), your approach is the good one.