Install VMware can't find Local storage disk on PowerEdge R410

[MonkeySleeve]

Hi everyone,

Let me start by saying I'm by no means a SysAdmin so my knowledge of this subject is pretty limited. I'm a Software Engineer and for our next sprint we wanted to reuse an old PowerEdge R410 server for testing by installing VMware on it and hosting different virtual servers.

So I'm trying to get VMware vSphere 7.0 installed on it but I keep running into the problem that when I have to select a Disk to install it on, it shows there is no disks to select. I first downloaded the VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi ISO) image and burned it to a DVD. And I also tried the DellEMC Custom Image for ESXi 7.0 Install CD since we thought it may have something to do with the Raid controllers? It has the hardware raid controller so it should be compatible.

Like I said, my knowledge on this subject is very limited, so any help would be appreciated.

[scott28tt · Accepted solution]

The most recent version supported on the R410 was 5.5 Update 3:

VMware Compatibility Guide - System Search​

Seems you might be able to run 6.x depending on the specific model/CPU:

https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/95amce/esx_65_dell_r410/​

However, 7.0 is more strict on IO device support since vmklinux driver support was not carried over into the latest version.

[MonkeySleeve]

Hi Scott,

Thank you for your reply, I'm currently using the Free Trial for 7.0 but I can't seem to find one for 6.5.

Would it be best just to try and download the DellEMC Custom Image for ESXi 6.5U3 GA Install CD and install that?

[scott28tt]

You can still get the 6.x vSphere Hypervisor: Download VMware vSphere Hypervisor for Free​

You could also try the Dell-specific image.

Who knows if either will work on your hardware though...

[MonkeySleeve]

Tried the Dell specific image and the installation succeeded so thats good!