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HP ML380 GEN9 not seeing Raid Array in VMWare

I have configured the server to raid 5 all of the SSD disks in the server so in total there is 7tb available according to the config software. When I installed ESX6 (on a USB), it completes the install and I'm then able to log into the host via a browser. When I try and configure the datastore, it only sees the individual SSD disks and not the array. I can select any one of them but that is not what I'm after, I want the entire datastore to use all the disk. Im not able to select more than one of the disk so something is not right with the config of the HP onboard array interface.cleae test

The onboard controller is a Dynamic Smart Array b140i RAID

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Paul Solovyovsky

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Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

purchase a supported storage controller which Paul advised.

David Whyte

ASKER

Darn it, ok so need to spend on a controller - dont suppose you can advise on one - this one is available on ebay for £170 but is that overkill?

(HP) Smart Array P440/4GB RAID Controller

David Whyte

ASKER

Looking to spend around £100 if possible on ebay - any advice would be appreciated.

Paul Solovyovsky

Check to see if a P410 supports SSD drives, if so you can get it for $20 US

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-572532-B21-Smart-Array-P410-512-MB-FBWC-controller-raid-571436-002-Battery/132461072323?epid=1700149228&hash=item1ed74b8fc3:g:-doAAOSwcSxaUlUa

Paul Solovyovsky

One thing to keep in mind is that the drives typically would need to be HP drives because they have the HP firmware. If they're not HP drives it's been hit or miss with installs

Dan

I think VMWAre 6 sees them as a bunch of 2t drives, as it can't split them, I think that came allong at vmware 6.5. Andrew would know more than me. If VMWare didn't see the array, it couldn't be installed on it, and wouldn't have seen any drives.

Dan

sorry, I thought you said you installed it from the usb. OK, still i stick to my story, I think 6 will cut it up into 2t partitions. I have had to deal with that. I just load Windows server, then raid them back to gether. or load 6.5, your licence will work for that too. Or go 6.7, same thing.

David Whyte

ASKER

Many thanks - storage controller as arrived so will crack on with that approach.

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

and create at least a RAID 6 or RAID 10 array.

David Whyte

ASKER

Ive got things up and running with new storage but not with USB drive as yet. Probably going to have another go a setup with USB plugged in internally within the server itself. Is there any particular USB drive which is best suited for this - got to be honest Im concerned with the reliability of USB but guessing if its plugged into a socket and is never been removed/transported etc then its all good?

Dan

Why would you want to do it with a usb drive, why not just load ESXI on a hard drive, SSD or M.2 and have it boot off that.?

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

Complete waste of money if you use SSD or M2

ESXi was designed for SD Card or USB install it’s only READ on BOOT

Any high quality USB flash drive should suffice eg HPE Kingston Lexmark SanDisk

We’ve been installing ESXi on USB or SD cards for 15 years now with no issues or failures

How often do you reboot servers?

Dan

Thanks Andrew, I always wondered about that. Do you just leave the USB sticking out? seems like it would get snapped off after a while.

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

most servers have an internal port in the server or if they don’t you can always loop a cable back in the server! but for the last 10 years now servers have internal USB port so no need for loop

and our servers are in secure datacentres and cages!

so none one has physical access apart from us!

also if the usb is removed ESXi still runs!!! because the OS is memory resident!

it will not boot next time though

but ESXi is not designed to remove the USB!!!!