Trying to install with an LSI2008: SAS 9211-8i but no drives detected

[MLustfield]

I bought this card a few months ago:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816118112

I found these two things in the compatibility list:

    http://partnerweb.vmware.com/comp_guide2/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=20047

    http://partnerweb.vmware.com/comp_guide2/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=13971

That first link for the compatibility list refers to fw version 13.00.00.00. I have the latest fw which iv 13.00.xx.00. When I load the ESXi 5 installer from CD I get to the point of selecting HDs to install to, but no disks are detected and both the local and remote storage lists are empty. I've been running KVM for virtualization on here, but I'm interested in trying vmware. Any tips for getting this going?

I don't know if it's relevant, but I also have these pieces of hardware:

    CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115083

    HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145475

    MBoard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182252

Any other info you need to be able to help me, just ask.

[MLustfield]

Hm... I just noticed this:

    https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/details?downloadGroup=DT-ESX50-LSI-mpt2sas-130000001vmw&productId...

So... if I need that, how do I make the installer use this driver?

[KamilAzmer · Accepted solution]

You need to inject the driver into your ISO installer,

You may download ESXi 5 Installer ISO and the driver iso and using ESXiCustomizer to adding on the ISO.

ESXiCustomizer can be found at : http://v-front.blogspot.com/p/esxi-customizer.html

The default ISO some of the driver is not inside the ISO and make sure your device is in compatibility lists.

Hope it helps you.

[MLustfield]

Awesome! That's a billion times easier than what I was going through. Thanks.