Need help in Installing additional TOE enabled NIC over the existing ESXi 3.5

[AlbertWT]

Hello All,

I'm currently upgrading my Dell PowerEDGE 2950-III with additional _Intel Pro1000 PTx 4 PCIe (V9.0) _TOE enabled NIC, is there anything that i should do to fully utilize this NIC ?

Because it comes with adriver CD-ROM and just wondering how to actually to make good use of it ?

Thanks,

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Your discussion has been moved to the ESXi forum

Dave Mishchenko

VMware Communities User Moderator

I'd first verify that the NIC is on the HCL and if so you'll just have to add it in and ESXi will recognize it. Please see this about TOE support - http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=1006143&sl... 0 18546723.

[AlbertWT]

THanks for the fast reply,

from the HCL list

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?action=search&deviceCategory=io&productId=1&advancedORbasic=advanced&maxDisplayRows=50&key=&release[]=21&datePosted=-1&partnerId[]=46&ioTypeId[]=6&manufacturer[]=Intel+Corporation&chipset[]=-1&firmware[]=-1&nports[]=2&vid=&did=&svid=&ssid=

i couldn't see mine, would that means ESXi doesn't utilize the hardware TOE ?

Kind Regards,

AWT

[Dave_Mishchenko · Accepted solution]

As far as I know ESX(i) doesn't support TOE in any NICs at this point. I would stick with a NIC on the HCL if at all possible.

[AlbertWT]

Thanks for the clarification Dave,

so in this case, VMWare ESXi only emulate the iSCSI packe processing as a software not hardware in the host level. (unless QLogic card is used)

CMIIW

Kind Regards,

AWT

[Dave_Mishchenko]

If you were using this NIC for iSCSI then it would be all software. As you alude to an iSCSI HBA would be the better option.

[AlbertWT]

Great, sounds like a plan. Based on your reply I will split the 4 ports (2x NIC onboard + 2x Intel PCI-X) as the following:

Team 1:

1x Network traffic to production using 1 port from Intel

1x SAN Traffic to the ESXi Server using 1 port from Broadcom onboard

Team 2:

1x Network traffic to production using 1 port from Intel

1x SAN Traffic to the ESXi Server using 1 port from Broadcom onboard

Thanks for your help Dave !

Kind Regards,

AWT