Intel Server System R1304BTLSHBN (Intel S1200BTL motherboard)

[FLMK974]

Hi everybody,

I've just bought an Intel Server System R1304BTLSHBN (based on an Intel S1200BTL motherboard).

I've installed the last version of VMware ESXi 5.0 update 1.

My 1st problem is that there's 2 nics and only the nic #1 is recognized...

I don't understand why.

In the BIOS, the 2 nics are recognized but in VMware ESXi 5.0 update 1, only one nic is recognized (nic #1)...

It's very strange. The light of the nic #2 is blinking like if it worked well.

It would be very stupid if Intel have put 2 differents nics references, so, I assumes that the 2 nics are the same reference.

Have you got the same problem?

My 2nd problem is the following: I 've created a RAID 5 (to be protected) on 4 hard disk drives to store my virtual machines and installed ESXi on a usb key.

But in vSphere, I see 4 datastores (like if the RAID 5 was not recognized. Each hard disk drives are recognized individually)...

Please help me.

Thanks in advance.

Bye.

PS: Sorry for my english, I'm french.

[FLMK974]

Does anybody have an idea?

[john23]

is this a dual port nics??

what is esxcfg-nics output shows??

Have you initialized the raid in raid controller?

[FLMK974]

Yes, it has 2 nics on the motherboard (by default).

When I type the "esxcfg-nics -l" command, it shows only one interface whereas I have 2 nics:

Name    PCI           Driver      Link Speed     Duplex MAC Address       MTU    Description
vmnic0  0000:02:00.00 e1000e      Up   100Mbps   Full   xx:xx:xx:x:xx:4c 1500   Intel Corporation 82574L Gigabit Network Connection

The first interface is well detected but the second is not detected. :smileyangry:

However, the 2 nics are well detected in the BIOS...

Yes, I've initialised the raid in the raid controller and my raid is online.

I've also tried the 2 options of the raid, and it's the same... :smileyplain:

[golddiggie · Accepted solution]

The way the hard drives are being displayed (assuming you set up the RAID correctly in bios) means that you have a software RAID controller. ESXi only supports HARDWARE RAID controllers. Any software RAID controller, that works with ESXi, will just show the individual drives within ESXi/vSphere.

If you really need those drives inside the host server, you'll need to purchase a hardware RAID controller that's on the VMware HCL for ESXi 5.x... Otherwise, you're pretty much SOL here.

When you look at the Network Adapters under the host's "Configuration" tab, does it only show a single vmnic for that adapter? If so, then I suspect you either need async drivers for the NIC, or it's defective/damaged. Although a quick check on the VMware HCL shows the NIC drivers as being 'inbox' under ESXi 5.x, so that's probably not the issue. See if there's an update for the NIC's themselves for the server. This would be separate from the motherboard's main bios updates...

[FLMK974]

For the RAID, it's not a real problem...

I would prefer to have a RAID, but if it's available, it's not a big problem...

I'll use hard disk drives individually.

Forget this problem.

golddiggie a écrit:

When you look at the Network Adapters under the host's "Configuration" tab, does it only show a single vmnic for that adapter? If so, then I suspect you either need async drivers for the NIC, or it's defective/damaged. Although a quick check on the VMware HCL shows the NIC drivers as being 'inbox' under ESXi 5.x, so that's probably not the issue. See if there's an update for the NIC's themselves for the server. This would be separate from the motherboard's main bios updates...

In the "network adapter" in the configuration tab, I only see 1 nic... :smileycry:

It's not an added nic, it's a nic that comes by default. There's 2 nics by default on my motherboard server. I really think that there are the same brand/reference/model.

I also don't think that my 2nd nic is defective. The light is blinking when it's linked to a switch. But I haven't tried it.

I think I'll install a Windows Server this week to be sure about that.

The ESXi that I've installed is the last version (5.0 update 1), so... :smileycry:

[FLMK974]

Hi everybody,

About my raid problem, I've also found the problem.

In ESXi 5.0, all of my hard disk drives are recognized individually because it's an software raid (golddiggie, you were right).

That's why I cannot see only one volume. :smileyangry:

Intel, Intel, you deceived me in all the line...

I also know why my second nic is not recognized...

It's not the same model. Why did Intel put 2 models of nics? :smileyangry:

In the S1200BTL, there's an Intel 82574L and an Intel 82579LM.

The first one is recognized automatically and the second one is not.

How can I add the second one?

Thanks in advance.

Bye

[golddiggie]

Only one of those network chips/controllers is on the VMware HCL... The other could be added later, but I wouldn't bank on it happening anytime soon. I'd just grab either a dual, or quad, port Intel server NIC (that's on the HCL) and install that. If the drivers are listed as async, you'll need to upload/inject them into the host. If the drivers are listed as 'inbox' then you'll be good to go. You can always upload newer drivers for the add-on card later if you wish.

Did you build this server yourself or purchase it already built up? I've seen far too many issues crop up with using custom built, or owner built systems as ESX/ESXi hosts to look to do that myself. IMO, far better to get something that's 100% on the HCL from the start. You don't need to dump a ton of money to get there either.

[FLMK974]

It's a build Intel server, with Intel components.

That's why it makes me crazy...

I've solved the problem of the drivers for my nic.

I've build a custom install CD that includes the driver.

Then, I've upgraded my server with this custom CD.

And right now, my second nic is well detected.

:smileygrin:

But my raid still doesn't work... :smileycry:

I would prefer to use a RAID5...

What a pity...

[golddiggie]

Get a dedicated [hardware] RAID controller with BBWC. Performance will be much better with BBWC too. You could get one of the compatible LSI based cards. Such as a Dell PERC 6/i controller. I actually have one of those (no battery though, just didn't purchase that and connect it) with a single 4 drive connection cable. Not using it since all my VMs run from my NAS and ESXi is running from a flash drive. PM if you're interested in the card.

[FLMK974]

Thanks, but no, I'm not interrested by your card.

I live in reunion island, so, I'll buy it in France if I change my decision.

Bye