Installing ESXi 4 on Dell T310 with PERC S300

[jvincentinfolin]

Appears esx does not support/recognize the perc s300 SAS/SATA controller. Are there any workarounds at all for this? I am currently trying to install it on a USB device just to see if i can get it to boot up, but i presume i will have no place to store the vm's since it still won't see the S300.

[AndreTheGiant]

Have a look at official HCL:

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?action=search&deviceCategory=server&productId=1&advancedORbasic=advanced&maxDisplayRows=50&key=T310&release[]=-1&datePosted=-1&partnerId[]=23&formFactorId[]=-1&filterByEVC=0&filterByFT=0&min_sockets=&min_cores=&min_memory=&rorre=0

Seems that it can work with ESXi 4.0U1

Andre

[YourTechAgent]

I was in the same boat as you. I had Dell send me a PERC6i and it worked! Do not use the PERC6iR as that is not compatible. Since the S300 is a software raid, it's not compatible.

[skotagiri]

I am trying to get a T310 for home server and do not need raid. Does default onboard controller work with ESXi?

What are it's Limitations? (i.e. limitation on number of drives etc..)?

Onboard SATA, 1-4 Hard Drives connected to onbaord SATA Controller -No RAID

[skotagiri]

I have selected the below hardware and want to be sure I have all the components for a HOME ESXi server.

1. Is the below enough and compatible with ESXi?

2. Can this Hardware support ESXi to create 64bit VM/GUEST?

PowerEdge T310: PowerEdge T310 Chassis with upto 4 Cabled Hard Drives and Quad Pack LED Diagnostics T310CB 1 1

Processor: Intel® Xeon® X3460, 2.8 GHz, 8M Cache, Turbo, HT 288MT 1 [330-5114] 6

Memory: 12GB Memory (6x2GB), 800MHz, Dual Ranked RDIMM 12G6RD 1 [317-2299] 3

Operating System: No Operating System NOOS 1 11

Hard Drive Configuration: Onboard SATA, 1-4 Hard Drives connected to onbaord SATA Controller -No RAID OBS14HD 1 27

Primary Controller: No Controller NCTRLR 1 9

Hard Drives (Multi-Select): 250GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3.5" Cabled Hard Drive 250S35C 1 1209

Power Supply: Power Supply, Non-Redundant, 375W NRPS 1 36

Embedded Management: Baseboard Management Controller BMC 1 14

Network Adapter: On-Board Dual Gigabit Network Adapter OBNIC 1 13

Internal Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW, Internal 16XDVRW 1 [330-5342] 16

System Documentation: Electronic System Documentation and OpenManage DVD Kit EDOCS 1 21

Primary Hard Drive: HD Multi-Select HDMULTI 1 8

Power Cords: Power Cord, NEMA 5-15P to C13, wall plug, 10 feet WP10F 1 38

Hardware Support Services: 3Yr Basic Hardware Warranty Repair: 5x10 HW-Only, 5x10 NBD Onsite U3OS 1 [904-8377][904-8680][905-1428][905-8769][994-4019] 29

Installation Services: No Installation NOINSTL 1 32

[YourTechAgent]

1. If you're installing on a single hard drive you'll have no problem.

2. The hardware is 64-bit compatible as long as you turn on Virtualization in the BIOS. By default, its turned off.

To verify compatibly, you should contact Dell's High Complexity Systems group and ask the question:

Dell Inc.

High Complexity Systems

Phone: [phone]

Office Hours: Sunday – Thursday | 12:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. CST

[skotagiri]

1. As you see there is NO RAID (I will drives later as they are cheaper in the market and use them a individual Data Store in EXSi)

2. I will enable VT in the BIOS after calling and confirming with DELL at the number you have provided.

My concerns are that does my hardware look good for compatibality in terms of:

1. Processor : It is supported at per VMware compatibility list.

2. ON BOARD SATA (as I am to taking any RAID option software of hardware)

3. NIC compaticability ( As I have selected default)

Thanks.

[YourTechAgent]

I ordered the following with one exception:

After the serer was delivered, I requested Dell to send me a PERC6i. The PERC S300 doesn't work with VMWare ESXi 4.0 since it's a software raid (I learned the hard way after numerous phone calls and attempts). The sales engineer didn’t accurately confirm that S300 works with ESXi. I had to call the Dell High Complexity VMWare System group to get the correct information. They guided me which part to have customer care send me. I received the PERC 6i, called technical support, installed and BAM! ESXi was up and running in 10 minutes!

I have Windows SBS 2008 and Wndows XP Pro (BES). Soon will be adding another linux server for Accellion FTP.

Description

PowerEdge T310 Chassis with upto 4 Hot-Plug Hard Drives and LCD Diagnostics

Shipping for PowerEdge T310

12GB Memory (6x2GB), 800MHz, Dual Ranked RDIMM

Memory for 1CPU Platform

X3440 Xeon Processor, 2.53 GHz8M Cache, Turbo, HT

PowerEdge T310 Heatsink

HD Multi-Select

SAS 6/IR Adapter Cable for Hot Plug Hard Drives

PERC S300 3Gb/s SAS/SATA Internal Software RAID adaptor

No Operating System

On-Board Dual Gigabit Network Adapter

Baseboard Management Controller

SATA Optical Drive Cable for PowerEdge T310

16X DVD-ROM,SATA, INTERNAL

NO DOCUMENTATION

Add-in PERC S300 (SAS/SATA Controller), 3-4 Hot Plug HardDrives - RAID 5

Power Supply, Non-Redundant 375W

No Power Cord

Dell Hardware Limited Warranty Plus On Site Service Initial Year

Dell Hardware Limited Warranty Extended Year

Non-Mission Critical: 4-Hour 7x24 On-site Service After Problem Diagnosis, 2 Year Extended

Non-Mission Critical: 4-Hour 7x24 On-site Service After Problem Diagnosis, Initial Year

ProSupport for IT: 7x24 HW / SW Tech Support and Assistance for Certified IT Staff, 3 Year

500GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3.5" Hot Plug Hard Drive

500GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3.5" Hot Plug Hard Drive

500GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3.5" Hot Plug Hard Drive

[skotagiri]

Thanks. The specs help. I thinks I have all requirements except RAID (which I will check with the Dell High Complexity VMWare System group )

This is very helpful

[J1mbo]

Perc-6i with BBWC can be found on eBay usually for about £150 and would be well worth getting, these are excellent controllers IMO.

Please award points to any useful answer.

[skotagiri]

That is true. I did ues an ADAPTEC RAID CARD from eBay for $90 (3 years back) for my Dell Poweredge 1800 while the Dell PERC card was costing $290. I had to sell my Dell 1800 as the processor does not support 64bit VM / GUEST.

I have not bought a Dell T310 with Xeon X3460 Quad Core. I have checked with Dell "High Complexity Systems" (delails below) and got confirmation that hardware I have selected is supported for EXSi 3.x and 4.x.

Thanks for all the support and help to every one in this thread.

Dell Inc.

High Complexity Systems

Phone: [phone]

Office Hours: Sunday – Thursday | 12:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. CST

[YourTechAgent]

Great! Good luck!

[skotagiri]

Comming back to this thread as there is related hardware by on poster for Dell T310:

I have received my server (and added Two 1Tb SATA WD Black Drives) and could install EXSi 4.0 Update 1 (DELL) but since my hardware was not order with RAID Controller I only have the default controller:

"Onboard SATA, 1-4 Hard Drives connected to onboard SATA Controller -No RAID"

The ESXI using VSphere does not show the second Hard Drive?

What is it that I need to do or is RAID necessary?

[skotagiri]

Dell Support advised "SAS6iR SATA/SAS". I got it today and installed with Dell Support.

Not server doed not even power on? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[YourTechAgent]

Please email me at [e-mail] for further assistance.

[skotagiri]

Thanks for all the advice but after trying with Dell support and getting 2 SAS/PERC 6i cards and mismatching Power adapter on the SATA cables I was advised by Support to return the Server and order one with PER 6i raid controller installed.

I have received the server today and has hot swappable disks and PERC 6i RAID controller.

1. I have installed TWO 1 TB drives in the hot plugable slots.

2. What I would like your advise on is:

a. How to setup RAID 0 so each drive shows up as a Data Store for ESXI 4.0 Update 1 DELL

[KerryDorsey]

RAID0 (striping) doesn't work that way. The striping across both drives yields a single virtual drive, thus making the individual drives no longer individually addressable. You will only see the one drive (though capacity will be just shy of 2TB). For a more graphic illustration, check here.

In my opinion, purchasing a server is an investment for yielding business gain (making money). The added expense of a RAID card is also an investment in the further reliability of that machine. RAID0 is a non-fault tolerant configuration and is also a feature you can get from the integrated SATA controller. So if you're attempting to safeguard your investment with a fault tolerant drive system, why would not use those features? You spent the money, buy at least one more drive and use RAID5, or buy 2 and use RAID10. Otherwise, you could have just as easily bought SATA drives, used the internal controller and gotten RAID0. Heck, you could buy WD Raptor drives and gotten 10k rpm drive performance and still saved several hundred $$ by not purchasing the PERC. That's certainly your choice, but I would consider utilizing the hardware you purchased to the fullest extent. Get the most ROI.

The RAID configuration on a PERC is done in the card's BIOS, accessed during POST. Please refer to your Dell documentation for exact instructions.

I hope some of this helps. Good luck.

[skotagiri]

I have order a T310 with RAID controller PERC 6i and returned the earlier T310 as all controllers sent by DELL had SATA Cables having powerpoints that did not match the powerpoint on the Server.

This is a Home Server for testing new technologies and tools. I use ESXi to emulate enterprise systems. So do not want to spend too much on disks.

I did get 2 * 1TB Western Digital Disks from Microcenter , but the PERC 6i RAID Controlller does not even recognise them. NOT Sure why?

The controller however does see the SATA 250GB Western Digital disks ("Enterprise Class HDD" is printed on DISK, not sure what is different from the disks I bought) sent by DELL.

Is there s way to get these disks recognised?

[MattG]

So does ESXi detect the dual onboard NICs OK?

-MattG

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[YourTechAgent]

You can install ESXi 4.0 on one internal hard drive. You cannot install it on a software raid system.

You should check the specifications at VMWare's Compaitibility Matrix:

http://www.vmware.com/resources/guides.html