OnBoard Raid

[Kdobranski]

I am using 6.7.0 Update 2 and have a second machine with an msi z490-a motherboard. I am currently running windows 2016 server on this and thinking about installing VMware

Will VMware recognize the onboard raid on the msi z490-a motherboard or do I need to purchase a PCIe card?

[daphnissov]

Your board is unsupported so likely the onboard RAID controller may not be recognized. If it's software (AKA fake) RAID then it's a definite "no".

[Kdobranski]

Thanks for the reply. If I buy a supported PCIe card I should have no issues then?

[daphnissov]

If you buy a supported card which is certified for the version of ESXi you want to install you *should* be OK, but your mileage may vary.

[bluefirestorm]

Just my two cents,

It is better to try to install the desired ESXi version on USB thumb drive using the MSI Z490-A motherboard BEFORE buying a RAID controller that will likely cost 2-3x that of the motherboard itself.

If this is the board

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z490-A-PRO/Specification

it has a Realtek 2.5Gbps NIC, so ESXi 7.0 is already a no-go as there is no vmklinux driver support anymore.

So you might even to factor in getting a NIC that is supported.

As always, the VMware HCL is your friend (be it for RAID controller or NIC).

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?deviceCategory=io