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Paulhung
Contributor
Contributor

How to get hardware support list by default ESXi 5.x?

Hi All,

I have one question about the hardware support list about ESXi 5.x default ISO. (VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0-1331820.x86_64.iso).

Somebody can help me!!!

Thanks.

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abhilashhb
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Check the Compatibilty list for supported hardware list

VMware Compatibility Guide: System Search

Abhilash B
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhilashhb/

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Paulhung
Contributor
Contributor

Hi sir,

Thanks.

I mean that is ISO (VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0-1331820.x86_64.iso)  file default support list and I don't know to add new driver by myself.

Have any method to check that?

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JarryG
Expert
Expert

But that's exactly what HCL is for: you select ESXi-version and get a list of HW supported by clean ESXi installation image (without additional drivers). IIRC you can even export this list to txt-file.

If you have hardware not supported by VMware ESXi (but you have esxi-driver for it), you can use VMware Image Builder to create customised ESXi installation image with these additional drivers.

_____________________________________________ If you found my answer useful please do *not* mark it as "correct" or "helpful". It is hard to pretend being noob with all those points! :winking_face:
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Paulhung
Contributor
Contributor

Hi Jarry,

I know that, but we want to use current ISO's default Network card and storage solution. (ISO file: VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0-1331820.x86_64.iso)

We don't want to do extra modified ISO file.

I got some information as below for ESXi 4.0

ESX / ESXi 4.0 Whitebox HCL

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abhilashhb
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

If you are using a device from HCL you don't have to add extra drivers.

Abhilash B
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhilashhb/

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Paulhung
Contributor
Contributor

Hi Abhilashhb,

Yes, my question is I can not find any HCL list for ESXi 5.x.

Could you provide me the document or link?

Thanks!

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JarryG
Expert
Expert

And what is wrong with VMware Compatibility Guide: System Search ???

You simply click "Product Release Version: ESXi 5.5" (or "All" if you want to see all), then pick hardware-type you are interested in, then "Update and view results". Honestly, I do not understand what your problem is...

BTW it is quite common that hardware supported in previous (i.e. 5.1) version is NOT supported in current (i.e. 5.5).

_____________________________________________ If you found my answer useful please do *not* mark it as "correct" or "helpful". It is hard to pretend being noob with all those points! :winking_face:
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abhilashhb
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Use the guided search

Guided Search Wizard

Select ESXi and the version in next window. Go on and see other components that you are looking for.

Abhilash B
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhilashhb/

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Paulhung
Contributor
Contributor

Hi Abhilashhb, JarryG,

Thanks you suggestion.

I found I210-T1 into the list, but I used "VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0-1331820.x86_64.iso" to install the ESXi 5.5.

I always got "No Network Adapter". I want to know default ISO file support list.

IntelIntel(R) Ethernet Server Adapter I210-T1Network
ESXi 5.5
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JarryG
Expert
Expert

If you click on I210-T1 and expand "ESXi 5.5" you will find this info:

Footnotes  :Download driver from https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=DT-ESXI55-INTEL-IGB-42168&productId=353  iBFT Enabled

"...The ESXi 5.5 driver package includes version 4.2.16.8 of the Intel igb driver, which enables support for products based on the Intel 82576, 82580, I210, and I350 Gigabit Ethernet Controllers. For detailed information and ESX hardware compatibility, check the I/O Hardware Compatibility Guide Web application..."

So why you do not try to download that driver package and include in installation image (you can create customised ESXi image i.e. with VMware Image Builder)? Apparently, support for this NIC has been added *after* original ESXi 5.5 image has been made available...

_____________________________________________ If you found my answer useful please do *not* mark it as "correct" or "helpful". It is hard to pretend being noob with all those points! :winking_face:
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Paulhung
Contributor
Contributor

Hi JarryG,

Actually, I also tried to add the driver to installation image and install it successfully. But my customer don't want to create customized ESXi image, they want to use "official release" from VMware.

So they want to know what kind of NIC and storage chip have been support original ESXi 5.5 image.

However, thank you for your great support.

I found another solution and VMware have another official release included new driver.

https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/details?downloadGroup=ESXI550&productId=353&rPId=4607

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