Storage configuration with Adaptec 3805 & Free License

[lurch89]

We have a new server with an Adaptec 3805 8-port SATA RAID controller. We have another server with a 5805 that works just fine. We have 8x 1TB drives, configured as 4x 2TB RAID0 arrays. When I go to add the arrays as datastores, I seem to only be able to add 1 2TB datastore. Every time I choose the next array, it overwrites the configuration for the first one. Is this a limitation of the free license? or is there something wrong with my controller.

Anyone having similar problems?

[DSTAVERT]

Arrays can only be 2TB minus 512b You will need to make the arrays just a little smaller.

[lurch89]

The arrays actually show up as 1.82TB in ESXi4. The now confusing thing is that the arrays disappeared. I was able to add two of them when I went back to the evaluation license, but now under the free license, the two arrays have disappeared.

[DSTAVERT]

I would recreate the arrays and make them smaller than 2 TB.

[lurch89]

They are also less than 2TB in hardware (Adaptec BIOS utility).

[lurch89]

Alright, now this is getting annoying. It seems that it keeps overwriting something in the storage configuration. We can add the first datastore, and then when we try and add a second datastore, ESXi says that this new untouched RAID0 array already has a partition on it and it will be deleted. It seems like it just keeps pointing back to the original array, even though I select a different one.

More evidence to me that it's licensing is the message that appears when you update your license from evaluation to free:

License downgrade: license code redacted removes the following features: das, dr, drs,dvfilter, dvs, esxHost, ft, hostprofile, hotplug,mpio, svmotion, vmotion, vmsafe, vshield,vsmp:8, vstorage warning 7/1/2009 7:30:05 AM root

Notice that DAS is removed, which would be "direct attached storage" if I'm not mistaken. Under the free license, anyone know the restrictions for storage?

[nicodr]

I'm having lots of troubles with an Adaptec 3805 on ESXi 4. I can create a datastore on it (haven't tried with 2) but when I try to use the datastore it dissapears. I think there is a bug in the driver for the 3805. I've used an 'unsupported' 2420SA without problems.