Install ESX Server 3.5 on Equallogic PS100 SAN

[rbos3]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to install ESX Server 3.5 on a 30GB LUN created on an Equallogic PS100 array. We are using a HP C7000 chassis with two blades.

The host installation should boot from SAN.

All IP traffic is working and the blades are able to connect to the configured LUN. These settings are configured in the system BIOS.

If we change the boot order and place the Broadcom iSCSI controller in the first place, the steps taken for connecting to the new LUN are looking fine.

The CD-Rom drive is set as second, as the LUN needs to be connected before the setup runs (right?). I already tried putting the CD-Rom in the first place, but this didn't make any difference.

When running the ESX Server setup, it first gives us a warning that no disks are found. It's possible to select a driver tho. This driver list also shows us the right controller (Broadcom NetXtreme 10GbE ethernet adapter (bnx2x) so I suppose that it's recognized correctly.

All following steps can be finished without errors, untill the step after accepting the license agreement. The following error appears: "No Drives Found" - "An error has occured - no valid devices were found on which to create new file systems. Please check your hardware for the cause of this problem."

After reading tons of topics and manuals of Equallogic, ESX, SAN configuration guide and googled pages I'm still not able to get this error away. The step after accepting the license agreement should be the initialization of the disk. So I just think the setup cannot find the disk.

To test the LUN I connected it to a test ESX server. I just configured the software iSCSI adapter thru the VI Client. I could create a VM on it so I guess the LUN is working as expected.

Hopefully someone can help me since I'm really stuck now! Thanks in advance.

René Bos

[BenConrad]

Can you provide documentation that the hp NC532i adapter supports Boot-from-SAN? I was not aware that it supports this functionality.

Ben

[rbos3]

Hi Ben,

Thanks for your reply. We contacted HP and they confirmed that the adapter supports Boot-from-SAN.

I searched the net for a valid source but only found this one:

Also added a screenshot showing the login to our storage array from the blade.

René

[glynnd1]

While the adapter may support BFS, the OS must also support BFS from that adpater.

In other words, what adapters does ESX support BFS for? The answer is a very short list of QLogics.

[rbos3]

Hi,

Can you provide me a link with that list showing supported adapters for ESX Server 3.5?

Thanks in advance,

René

[glynnd1]

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/pdf/vi_io_guide.pdf - but no details on BFS.

Pages 77 to 84 are a must read http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_35/esx_3/r35/vi3_35_25_iscsi_san_cfg.pdf

[CCJNL]

Hello, I am currently booting from SAN using EqualLogic arrays in conjunction with QLogic iSCSI HBA's.

As it was eluded to earlier, I believe that although you NIC technically supports Boot From SAN, I don't think ESX 3.5 supports it yet from anything other than a Qlogic HBA (in regards to iSCSI boot from SAN, Fibre is a whole other story).

You can see here (ironically) the example VMware uses deals with Qlogic HBA's and an EqualLogic array:

http://pubs.vmware.com/vi35/iscsi_san_config/wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/html/wwhelp.htm?context=iscsi_san...

You should also take a look at:

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_san_design_deploy.pdf (Sections starting on 66 and 93)

I can't seem to find any official list that states what iSCSI HBA's are currently supported for Boot From SAN. I'd place a call to VMware support to get the hard and fast answer. But I am thinking that only QLogic HBA's are supported at this time. HP will carry some HP branded QLogic models that will work for you.

[rbos3]

Hey there,

In response to my previous posts we are now using the iSCSI connections for just storage to put VM's and templates on.

The ESX installation is now placed on a HP MSA2012sa with multiple volumes where our HP Blade's are booting from.

This is working like a charm and the alternative of using the Equalogic just for VM's en Templates was a good consideration.

Hopefully anyone who is not able to switch from iSCSI to an alternative method will be able to use more HBA's then just the Qlogic ones supported right now.

Thanks for any responses.