VT-D Passthrough and motherboards with PLX PEX PCIe switches

[mozzie]

Hi

Can someone please tell me if ESXi 5.5 supports VT-d direct I/O pass through on motherboards using a PLX PCIe switch to share PCIe lanes?

For example;

http://www.sotechdesign.com.au/asus-p9d-e4l-haswell-server-motherboard-review/

This Asus motherboard has one and I want to use ESX with this. I want to be sure that PCIe devices attached can be passed through.

I appreciate a prompt response.

Many thanks!

[mozzie]

Can someone please advise? Does ESX support VT-D pass through on this motherboard or any motherboard with PLX chip between processor PCIe slots/lanes?

thanks

[mozzie]

will take the plunge and buy this board. Will let you know my results, good or bad.

[mozzie · Accepted solution]

Got the board and can confirm that pass through of PICe devices behind the PLX chip work fine.

[ermockler]

Hi Mozzie,

I am actually working on the same thing. I have an older PLX RDK Gen 1 8508 that I have working in an xp test system. It's setup in Transparent mode, and I am not getting the desired passthrough options on ESXi 5.1.

I wonder if you wouldn't mind posting your config, it would help me eliminate some trial & error steps.

specifically I'd like to know:

Is ESXi 5.5 better than 5.1 for this?

Which PLX card are you using?

Is it in Transparent mode, NT Intelligent Adapter mode, or NT Dual Host mode?

Or if you are using a gen 3 PLX switch, is there some capability not present in the Gen1 I am using?

Did you have to modify the eeprom on the PLX card?

Did ESXi reqire any Vibs or modifications?

Since you seem to be using ESXi 5.5, I will try this now.   I have been using 5.1 since 5.5 doesn't allow the passthrough of onboard devices, and I needed the USB's....

The PLX card would allow USB add in cards and solve this.

Thanks in advance for any help!