VMware Cloud Community
malabelle
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Jump to solution

Cisco UCS c240 Can't have a partition outside the disk

Hi,

I'm trying to install ESXi 5.5 on a c240 M3 UCS Cisco.

The local drive is a FlexFlash Raid 1 of 2 sd cards.

At the time of install, esx sees the local 30g card.

asks language, root password and when I click on install, it gives an error. (see attached files)

this program has encountered an error: parted util,  Can't have a partition outside the disk

I have 2 exactly configured servers, out of the box, same error... any idea?

vExpert '16, VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD
1 Solution

Accepted Solutions
malabelle
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Jump to solution

Ok, so I tried with an older version of esx:

ESXi-5.5.0-1746018-Custom-Cisco-5.5.1.3.iso

and it seems to work for now (it's at 28%)

vExpert '16, VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD

View solution in original post

13 Replies
corvettefisher
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Jump to solution

Is this with the ESXi standard ISO or the Cisco Customized ISO?

Reply
0 Kudos
malabelle
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Jump to solution

Vmware-ESXi-5.5.0-2068190-custom-Cisco-5.5.2.1.iso

from vmware website

vExpert '16, VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD
Reply
0 Kudos
bspagna89
Hot Shot
Hot Shot
Jump to solution

Have a look at this http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/solutions/collateral/data-center-virtualization/unified-computing/w...

You may need to make the HV partition bootable first... Or you will need to disable the other partitions leaving HV enabled so that ESXi can be installed to the only writable partition.

New blog - https://virtualizeme.org/
Reply
0 Kudos
malabelle
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Jump to solution

I saw it, but can you tell me at what page I can make the drive bootable?

I followed it and did not found any procedure.

thanks

vExpert '16, VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD
Reply
0 Kudos
bspagna89
Hot Shot
Hot Shot
Jump to solution

Can you log into CIMC/remote management and make sure that the other partitions have been turned off? I don't think you're supposed to see 30GB... You're supposed to see like 3GB.

New blog - https://virtualizeme.org/
Reply
0 Kudos
malabelle
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Jump to solution

Ok, so I tried with an older version of esx:

ESXi-5.5.0-1746018-Custom-Cisco-5.5.1.3.iso

and it seems to work for now (it's at 28%)

vExpert '16, VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD
kpfender77
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Malebelle,

I ran into this same issue and I was able to correct the error by reformatting the FlexFlash, or you can try creating a Flexflash Scrub with the below settings.

•    Disk Scrub:  NO

•    BIOS Settings Scrub: NO

•    FlexFlash Scrub: Yes

After you have set the FlexFlas Scrub you will need to set the Scrub back to your nomal setting like a no scrub policy.

Attached document contains the Format SD Cards option that can be found by clicking on the "Inventory" tab within the server under the "Equipment" tab on UCS and select the last tab which is "Storage" on the Storage tab you will find the three FlexFlash option.

Reply
0 Kudos
joeljjones
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Just in case anyone hasn't researched this further, but this is a recorded bug by Cisco. Bug ID CSCus51007

Cisco's documented workaround:

Workaround:

Install VMware ESXi 5.5 Update 1 and then upgrade to update 2.

Or

Install VMware ESXi 5.5 Update 1, reboot the system and install ESXi 5.5 Update 2 for a clean installation.

or

If it is a UCS Manager integrated UCS C-Series server then scrub the FlexFlash and install VMware ESXi 5.5 Update 2. (CSCus51007)

Reply
0 Kudos
MarkStrong
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Jump to solution

Can you log into CIMC/remote management and make sure that the other partitions have been turned off? I don't think you're supposed to see 30GB... You're supposed to see like 3GB.

malabelle repartitioned 32GB SD card as one HV partition.

I also tried to use ESXi 6.0 installer to delete FlexFlash created partition. Did not work... Smiley Sad

Thank you very much malabelle for discovering the workaround.

Mark Strong

http://www.vStrong.info

VCP5, VCP4 | VCAP4-DCD | MCITP | HP Master ASE | CCNA, Cisco UCS Support Specialist
Reply
0 Kudos
ammulero
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Hi,

I do the installation of the ESXi 6 Cisco Custom image on the SD Cards on a Cisco C240 M4

Specs:

2 SD Cards on MIRROR mode

Steps:

1. Storage Tab --> Cisco FlexFlash

2. Enable/Disable Virtual Drive(s) --> Choose only Hypervisor --> Save

3. Virtual Drive Info Tab --> Erase Virtual Drive(s) --> Choose Hypervisor

4. Server Tab --> BIOS

5. Configure Boot Override Priority --> Choose Hypervisor --> Apply

6. Configure Boot Order --> Delete the default option --> Add SD Card and the other devices that you want on the boot option --> Save

I hope these steps will be of your help.

Regards,

Alexander Marcano.

martins1979
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Thanks for this tip...it help throw a process of installing 4 ESXi on Cisco using customized cisco image. I have installed the previous version and problem solved. Then i have updated with VUM.

Reply
0 Kudos
DinB
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Thanks Alexander.

Your solution worked perfectly for me and I was able to install the latest version of Cisco Custom ESXi (5.5.0, 2068190) without any issues after.

Reply
0 Kudos
louiedaphish
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

I just tried ammulero's process on my Cisco C220 M4 servers. It works perfectly and there's NO NEED to install ESXi twice!

Reply
0 Kudos