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  • 1.  Intel ICH7 RAID?

    Posted May 23, 2009 09:55 PM

    Hi,

    We have an ASUS RS120-E4/PA2 server which has an Intel ICH7 RAID controller onboard.

    I know this is software RAID, but would like to use it with RAID. The controller itself has an array setup, but the ESXi installer does not see it as 1 device (RAID), but as 2 seperate disks.

    Anyone any idea how I can make it so it sees it as a RAID set?



  • 2.  RE: Intel ICH7 RAID?

    Posted May 23, 2009 11:03 PM

    SATA RAID under ESX 4.0 is unlikely to work for you. Instead, break the RAID set and seperate the disks into two distinct disks -- you may have have to use ACHI for SATA setup in your System BIOS if you're not already doing so.

    Datto



  • 3.  RE: Intel ICH7 RAID?

    Posted May 24, 2009 01:02 AM

    You will need a hardware raid controller. There are inexpensive real raid controllers on the HCL and you can check out vm-help.com fot variations. If this is a test or proof of concept installation then as Datto said just use the two disks. If not get real controller.



  • 4.  RE: Intel ICH7 RAID?

    Posted May 24, 2009 08:31 AM

    Which cheap RAID controller would you recommend?

    I have some Adaptec 1210SA's, but I doubt they will work (I think they're software RAID too).



  • 5.  RE: Intel ICH7 RAID?

    Posted May 24, 2009 08:38 AM

    http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility

    Andre

    **if you found this or any other answer useful please consider allocating points for helpful or correct answers



  • 6.  RE: Intel ICH7 RAID?

    Posted May 24, 2009 08:52 AM

    That does not answer my question:

    "Which cheap RAID controller would you recommend?

    I have some Adaptec 1210SA's, but I doubt they will work (I think they're software RAID too)."



  • 7.  RE: Intel ICH7 RAID?

    Posted May 24, 2009 09:53 AM

    Cheap and recommend? None in a production environment :smileyhappy:

    If I must say a name, I could say a supported CERC controller (if you are using Dell servers).

    But I never will use SATA disks in production.

    Andre

    **if you found this or any other answer useful please consider allocating points for helpful or correct answers



  • 8.  RE: Intel ICH7 RAID?

    Posted May 24, 2009 03:01 PM

    The HCL list is a good start. The Dell PERC 8port SAS controllers are often found on ebay and the like for just over $100. You can look at vm-help.com for some guidance. And yes the adaptec 1210's are software raid controllers.

    If this is a production environment then the SAS controllers are a verry good choice. They give you the opportunity to add both SAS and SATA drives.



  • 9.  RE: Intel ICH7 RAID?

    Posted May 27, 2009 08:24 PM

    Adaptec 2405 is around $220 and people have reported it to be working.

    It's on hcl for esxi 3.5 u4, I think it will work with esxi4.0

    also.



  • 10.  RE: Intel ICH7 RAID?

    Posted May 27, 2009 08:26 PM

    The 2405 has been tested with ESX 4.0 - http://www.vm-help.com//esx40i/esx40_whitebox_HCL.php.