Problem installing ESX 3i 3.5.0 onto HP ML150 G5 with E200 smart array controller

[Ian_Y]

Hello,

I have recently bought an ML150 G5 server with an E200 smart array controller. The server has 3 x 250GB SATA disks all of which are connected to the E200. I downloaded the latest version of ESX3i last week and now I want to install it on the server.

The problem I'm having is that during the install, on the "Select a disk screen", the disk type is showing as "Unknown". Eventually the install hangs at 99%.

I have done some research and it appears that the E200 is compatible with ESX3i (?). I have changed the BIOS Intel Virtualization setting to Enabled and I've also toggled SATA Controller 1 from Compatible to Enhanced (just in case - makes no difference anyway).

I am not quite sure what to do. I've run the diagnostics and it appears that everything is functioning correctly. The E200 firmware is 1.72. I've looked at the fix list for most up-to-date version (1.78) but there seems nothing in it that would cure the problem (I will try it though). I've tried the HP ESX3i ISO and the standard ESX3i ISO - both have the same problem.

Obviously I am doing something wrong or I've misunderstood something. I would really appreciate some help and advice.

Ian

[ESXDevil]

Hi

Just one question...have you made the Raid before? (Raid5 or Raid1 with HotSpare)

Regards

ESXDevil

[Ian_Y]

Hi

yes, I've tried RAID 5 and RAID 1 and the result was the same with both. I used ORCA to setup RAID.

Thanks,

Ian

[ESXDevil]

Hi

I've just checked if the ML150 is supported by VMWare and i have a bad message for you...it isn't

Check the compatibility guide on Page 15.

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi35_systems_guide.pdf

Regards

ESXDevil

[ESXDevil]

Mmhhh...

strange...i've just checked also the I/O Guide and there i can see that your controller is supported.

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi35_io_guide.pdf

So i have to think about it...

Regards

ESXDevil

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Moved to ESXi Forum. Verify the ML150 is on the HCL also verify that there are no other raid controllers in use.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[guyrleech]

Can you try booting off an ESXi bootable USB stick instead just in case this works? We saw another, new, ML box that didn't want to install via CD but was happy running off a USB stick.

It is also useful to have one as a quick check of a system's ESXi compatbility without risking a hard disk based installation.

[Jever]

Hi

Have you tryed to boot the ESX from a USB-Key. My ML115 G5 i working with onbord sata controler without raid.

[ErikBussink]

I tought I could help you Ian, but I just checked my ML150 G5, and I'm running ESX 3.5.0 and not ESXi 3.5.0.

Same config, ML150 G5 with SmartArray E200

[Ian_Y]

Hi, I tried the usb stick approach and got further but ESX Server 3i would not run properly and consistently. Sometimes it would not respond to F2 or F12, sometimes it would crash (purple screen) and every time there were network communication problems (I was able to download the Inf Client once but could not browse to it again). I know there's an issue with the NIC and I think the on-board SATA controller isn't supported along with ILO (but it doesn't have an ILO card or anything on-board I think). It looks like I will have to wait for a later release which is fully compatible.

Thank you to all who have replied so far.

Please let me know if you have a fresh suggestion.

Ian

[datasecurity]

as far as i can remember it did work after firmware update.

in this case (again afaicr) its the BIOS

[skullshot]

hi ian, i have an ml150 g5 here running esx 3i U3 at the moment. the only way i have been able to successfully install was using the network install from a pxe server as outlined here:

http://www.vm-help.com

from what i can tell, the on-board sata controller isnt supported at all under esx and at 99% of the install it tries to switch over the drivers for the cdrom drive which doesnt work under esxi at all. i'd say thats what the problem is. the e200 is definitely supported and works a treat - just sucks because to load software etc i either need to upload ISOs to the datastore or use client-connected cdrom from the VI client

hope this helps some people in similar situations to myself!