Does it need to use raid controller on server when I am using ESA and traditional storage simultaneously

[Bab]

I want to implement ESA on my environment and I am using all nvme disks . Also I want to use traditional storage . Actually want to use mix (vsan and traditional storage in parallel)  Now want to know . Also want to install OS on boot device . Does it need to install raid controller on server ?

[Duncan Epping]

that is up to you if you want to use RAID to install the OS, if you don't feel you need it you don't use it. Plenty of customers been running ESXi on a single SD card for the past decades, so I don't see why a single disk wouldn't work either.

[Bab]

So Thanks . But These are my confusions :

1 - As I said before that I want to use vSAN (ESA) and traditional storage simultaneously in my environment . Because we need to reside some VMs on traditional storage . Is that possible ?

2- We cannot find any raid controller in vSAN ESA ReadyNode configuration. As  want to use vSAN (ESA) and traditional storage simultaneously . Does it to degrade performance if install raid controller on servers ?

3 - What is recommendation when want to use vSAN (ESA) and traditional storage simultaneously  A or B ?

A : Install raid controller on server and then install ESXi on that ?

B : Install NVMe PCIe3 x8 OS Boot Device ?

BR

Babak

[Duncan Epping]

1. I don't see why you couldn't use traditional storage, as long as a single VM isn't spread across vSAN and traditional storage that is fine
2. No it doesn't degrade performance if you use a raid controller for your non-vSAN ESA storage. That is supported. We don't have HBA or RAID Controller in the ReadyNodes as these are typically used as vSAN only.
3. Just install it on any device, no need to have a raid controller, most will just use some M.2 NVMe device to run ESXi on

[Bab]

So thanks . For last question .

1- Regardless of cost . Is there any difference in vsan (ESA) perfotmance to 

use raid controller for esxi boot disk or M2 disk as boot device ? 

2- There two type of nvme disks that I want to use just one of them in vsan (ESA) environment ?

P50230-B21 

HPE 3.2TB NVMe Gen4 High Performance Mixed Use SFF BC U.3 PM1735a SSD

P70426-B21

HPE 3.2TB NVMe Gen4 High Performance Mixed Use SFF BC U.3 PS1030 SSD

Actually I find both of them in this guide . 
Does it mean I can choose each of them to use ?

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/pdf/vi_vsan_guide.pdf

[Bab]

Dear @Duncan Epping

Would you please hep me about 2 questions ?

BR

Bab

[TheBobkin]

Bab

1. What devices ESXi boots from has absolutely no bearing on vSAN performance, vSAN is not reading or writing any data to that device.

2. Please use the vSAN HCL to check devices properly as to whether they are supported and certified for vSAN ESA or not:
https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?deviceCategory=vsanio

P70426-B21 is not on the HCL for ESA (OSA only - unaware of reason, performance class looks good) - https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=ssd&productid=57086
P50230-B21  is on the vSAN HCL for ESA - https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=ssd&productid=51432

[Duncan Epping]

And to add to that, also the performance of ESXi itself won't be different as ESXi is loaded into memory at boot.