VMware ESXi does not recognize hard drives HP Proliant ML30 Gen10 (Flash virtual)

[anxo_darosa]

Hello team.

I have a problem when I try to install VMware ESXi 7.0 U2 on my HP Proliant ML30 Gen10.

I have 1 HD 4TB SATA and 1 SSD 1TB SATA on RAID 0

I test also with 2 HD 4TB SATA on RAID 1 and I have the same problem.

I install VMware ESXi without problem through a pendrive (less 16GB, more 16GB), but, when I enter to the ESXi interface, I have a “Flash virtual 0B used 0B capacity” and my ESXi does not recognize my hard drives and I can’t do anything.

What could I do to solve this problem?

Thank so much.

[scott28tt]

Those zeros just mean that there is no VMFS datastore on the drive, which for one that small isn't a surprise.
For the other disks, what is the storage controller and is it supported? (meaning that ESXi will either have a driver for it or not)

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

[e_espinel]

Hello.
What disk controller are you using?
If you are using a HPE Smart Array S100i SR or any other controller with Software RAID they are not supported by VMware vSphere.
You must install a Smart Array supported by VMware, you can validate this in the following link:

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

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-a00061357en_us#N107D6

[stadi13]

We need to know which storage controller you are using. If you are using a software raid controller like the SR100i is not supported with ESXi. E208 and P408 is supported and tested. Works 100%!

[anxo_darosa]

Thank so much for your advices.

Yes, I have an "HPE Smart Array S100i SR Gen10" software RAID controller.

If this RAID is not supported with ESXi, how must have I do to be able to install ESXi 7.0?

Sorry if the question is simple, but it is the first time that I installed a VMware ESXi since 0 and I do not know how to do.

Thank so much.

[scott28tt]

Buy and install a supported controller.

[anxo_darosa]

One question, please.

If i download a RAID controller firmware which is supported by VMware, for example, E208 and P408 and i install it, would it work?

[e_espinel · Accepted solution]

Hello.
The firmware is unique for each device, you cannot install a firmware on a non compatible device, this may damage the device.
You must buy a controller card and install it on the server to be able to access the disks that must be connected to this new disk controller.

The following controller card is supported by VMware vSphere from version 6.0 to 7.0
HPE Smart Array P408i-p SR Gen10 (8 Internal lanes/2GB cache) 12G SAS PCIe Plug-In controller
Option Part Number: 830824-B21  (must include battery for cache and SAS cables kit) consult with HPE supplier

HPE ProLiant ML30 Gen10 Server - Option Parts
https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-a00061357en_us#N107D6

[anxo_darosa]

Thank so much for your help and your advices.

I am going to buy this RAID controller.

[Kevin5271]

Just to check. Did the raid controller work ok with esxi?

[advegav]

This ESXi version does recognize the onboard Software RAID controller logical volume of my  ML30 Gen9 server.

https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/details?downloadGroup=OEM-ESXI67U3-HPE&productId=742

hope this helps.