Intel ICH7 RAID?

[vivizihosting]

Hi,

We have an ASUS RS120-E4/PA2 server which has an Intel ICH7 RAID controller onboard.

I know this is software RAID, but would like to use it with RAID. The controller itself has an array setup, but the ESXi installer does not see it as 1 device (RAID), but as 2 seperate disks.

Anyone any idea how I can make it so it sees it as a RAID set?

[Datto]

SATA RAID under ESX 4.0 is unlikely to work for you. Instead, break the RAID set and seperate the disks into two distinct disks -- you may have have to use ACHI for SATA setup in your System BIOS if you're not already doing so.

Datto

[DSTAVERT]

You will need a hardware raid controller. There are inexpensive real raid controllers on the HCL and you can check out vm-help.com fot variations. If this is a test or proof of concept installation then as Datto said just use the two disks. If not get real controller.

[vivizihosting]

Which cheap RAID controller would you recommend?

I have some Adaptec 1210SA's, but I doubt they will work (I think they're software RAID too).

[AndreTheGiant]

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility

Andre

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[vivizihosting]

That does not answer my question:

"Which cheap RAID controller would you recommend?

I have some Adaptec 1210SA's, but I doubt they will work (I think they're software RAID too)."

[AndreTheGiant]

Cheap and recommend? None in a production environment

If I must say a name, I could say a supported CERC controller (if you are using Dell servers).

But I never will use SATA disks in production.

Andre

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[DSTAVERT]

The HCL list is a good start. The Dell PERC 8port SAS controllers are often found on ebay and the like for just over $100. You can look at vm-help.com for some guidance. And yes the adaptec 1210's are software raid controllers.

If this is a production environment then the SAS controllers are a verry good choice. They give you the opportunity to add both SAS and SATA drives.

[Virtuali3ed]

Adaptec 2405 is around $220 and people have reported it to be working.

It's on hcl for esxi 3.5 u4, I think it will work with esxi4.0

also.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

The 2405 has been tested with ESX 4.0 - http://www.vm-help.com//esx40i/esx40_whitebox_HCL.php.