ESX and diskless booting

[Ritmo2k]

Is it possible to boot the esx server (console) of an iscsi san?

Thanks

[davidbarclay · Accepted solution]

Yes, though it's not supported on the software initiator - hardware only.

Dave

[davidbarclay]

...and of course that assume your hardware iSCSI initator is supported. Check the IO Guide (http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_io_guide.pdf) for details.

Dave

[wcrahen]

You need a iSCSI HBA, such as Qlogic QLA5040c.

[zbenga]

I'm having major problems with that HBA trying to boot of a CX300i in a DL360G4!

i can install esx to the lun but can't boot the lun as it can't find the iSCSI device on boot but once you boot off the cd and the qla driver loads it's all fine, obviously this is not an elegant way

[Ritmo2k]

So the HBA simply appears as a scsi adapter to esx?

I could boot, and run vmfs in starter off two iscsi hba's?

Thanks!