not able to create a Datastore with the RAID array.

[micromax]

 

I have a HP DL380 G6 server with ESXI 6.0 and am not able to create a Datastore with the RAID array.

The RAID drives are displayed properly under the Configuration / Health Status / Storage section of Vsphere, but when trying to create a new datastore, the RAID array does not show up in the Devices section.

This issue is related to another post which I've not had any meaningful repsonse to, where Vsphere did not show any of the ESata drives that were connected to the system. These external drives worked previously on the same system, but after a crash with the RAID array on the system, and resetting up the same ESXI, the ESata drives did not show up. See this posting for details:

https://communities.vmware.com/t5/ESXi-Discussions/eSata-drives-not-seen-in-VSphere/m-p/2891427/emcs_t/S2h8ZW1haWx8cmVhc29uX2JveF9zdWJzY3JpcHRpb258S1o0UFpHWDFDS0hMRlN8Mjg5MTQyN3xPVEhFUlN8aEs

I updated the ESXI from 5.5 to 6.0 in the hopes that the ESata drives would be recognized, but instead of making progress, the system now does not even allow the RAID array to be setup with a Datastore.

Any help resolving this issue is very much appreciated.

[E_Espinel]

Hello.
Did you install the ESXi host with the HP custom image or did you use the VMware Standard image?

The HPE Smart Storage Administrator (HPE SSA) CLI utility can help you understand what is going on with your RAID configuration.

Check if you have the following directory

/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli

You can also install the utility, attached linnk

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/swd/detail?swItemId=MTX-4cac0b7610524060ab9c31db71

 

 

 

[micromax]

Thanks for responding Enrique.

I did use an HP version of ESXi 6.0 but do not have the /opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli folder.

I do have a /opt/hp/tools folder, but can not figure out how to install the MTX-4cac0b7610524060ab9c31db71 utility.

I found instructions that told me to use - esxcli software vib install "filename.vib" but got the following error.
Error: Unknown command or namespace software vib install /vib/ssacli-3.47.6.0-6.0.0.vib

I also tried to use esxcli software vib install -d /vib/ssacli-3.47.6.0-6.0.0.vib -  but got the error.
[MetadataDownloadError]
Could not download from depot at /vib/ssacli-3.47.6.0-6.0.0.vib/index.xml,

I also can not figure out how to obtain a license to go with the vSphere 6.0 application - and just always get redirected to vSphere 7.0 - which apparently does not work with ESXi 6.0.

Any additional instructions would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

 

[E_Espinel]

Hello

Installing VIBs on the ESXi host from the SSH connection

• Transfer the VIB(s) onto the ESXi host local path
• Run the following esxcli command on the SSH connection of the ESXi  to install the VIB(s):

~# esxcli software vib install -v <path><filename.vib>

in this link you can get a free license version 6. you must login with your user and password (if you don't have one you must register) and then register to be able to download and get the free license.

https://customerconnect.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/evalcenter?p=free-esxi6

 

[micromax]

Thanks again Enrique. The -v command parameter worked to install the .vib file and I've rebooted the server, but I'm not sure what to do next to troubleshoot the Datastore issue. Any suggestions?

BTW: SSH-ing into the server initially states "VMware offers supported, powerful system administration tools. Please see www.vmware.com/go/sysadmintools for details." -- howver trying to load that web page gives a page not found error: (has this page moved to another location?)

"VMware Technology Network 

 Page not found

The page you are trying to access was not found. Please check your URL for typos and try again.'

 

[E_Espinel]

Hello.

Now that the utility is installed, Execute the following commands:

Show Controller status

/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli ctrl all show status

 

Show detailed controller information for all controllers

/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli ctrl all show detail

 

Show configuration

/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli ctrl all show config

 

Physical disk status

/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli ctrl slot=0 pd all show status

 

Show detailed physical disk information

/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli ctrl slot=0 pd all show detail

 

Logical disk status

/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli ctrl slot=0 ld all show status

I am assuming that you only have one HP Controller on the server and that it is slot=0.
Please send me the result of the indicated commands.

 

[micromax]

Enrique,

That folder and file does not appear to be at the suggested location.

Also the /vib folder I created and installed the ssacli-3.47.6.0-6.0.0.vib file from is also now missing?

Note: Could not edit this reply as it said unexpected error occurred on trying to update - see next message in thread for additional details.

 

[micromax]

That hpssacli folder and file does not appear to be at the suggested location.

/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli ctrl all show status
-sh: /opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli: not found

[root@localhost:~] ls /opt/hp
tools

[root@localhost:~] ls /opt/hp/tools
conrep              conrep.xml          getipmibtaddress    hpbootcfg           hpbootcfg_esxcli    hponcfg             hptestevent         hptestevent_esxcli

Also the /vib folder I created and installed the .ssacli-3.47.6.0-6.0.0.vib file from is also now missing?

Update:

I recreated the folder and moved the .vib file to it and then ran the procedure once again. 
here is the output:
esxcli software vib install -v /vib/ssacli-3.47.6.0-6.0.0.vib  
Installation Result
  Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to be effective.
  Reboot Required: true
  VIBs Installed: HPE_bootbank_ssacli_3.47.6.0-6.0.0.2768847
  VIBs Removed: HPE_bootbank_ssacli_2.60.18.0-6.0.0.2494585
  VIBs Skipped:

------------------

the /opt/hp/hpssacli/ folder still does not exist.

FYI: I'm using a USB thumb drive for the ESXi boot image, so I don't know if that may have something to do with the above errors.

 

 

 

[E_Espinel]

Hello.

If you installed the utility check where it is installed in /opt

HPE SSACLI – Location

Location VMware ESXi 4.0/4.1/5.0

/opt/hp/hpacucli/bin/hpacucli

 Location VMware ESXi 5.1/5.5/6.0

/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli

Location VMware ESXi 6.5/6.7

/opt/smartstorageadmin/ssacli/bin/ssacli

 

Attached is a link that may be useful.

https://be-virtual.net/hpe-storage-controller-management-ssacli/

 

 

[micromax]

Thanks for your continued support Enrique.

Now that I've found the correct location for the utility, here are the results from the commands you suggested.

./ssacli ctrl all show status
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded)
Controller Status: OK
Cache Status: OK

./ssacli ctrl all show detail
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded)
Bus Interface: PCI
Slot: 0
Serial Number: 5001438008A0DB50
Cache Serial Number: PACCQ9VY10HA
Controller Status: OK
Hardware Revision: C
Firmware Version: 2.74-0
Rebuild Priority: Medium
Expand Priority: Medium
Surface Scan Delay: 15 secs
Surface Scan Mode: Idle
Parallel Surface Scan Supported: No
Queue Depth: Automatic
Monitor and Performance Delay: 60 min
Elevator Sort: Enabled
Degraded Performance Optimization: Disabled
Inconsistency Repair Policy: Disabled
Wait for Cache Room: Disabled
Surface Analysis Inconsistency Notification: Disabled
Post Prompt Timeout: 0 secs
Cache Board Present: True
Cache Status: OK
Cache Ratio: 100% Read / 0% Write
Drive Write Cache: Disabled
Total Cache Size: 256 MB
Total Cache Memory Available: 144 MB
No-Battery Write Cache: Disabled
SATA NCQ Supported: True
Number of Ports: 2 Internal only
Driver Name: HPE HPSA
Driver Version: 6.0.0.124-1OEM
PCI Address (DomainDevice.Function): 0000:04:00.0
Host Serial Number: 2M201602SP
Sanitize Erase Supported: False
Primary Boot Volume: None
Secondary Boot Volume: None

./ssacli ctrl all show config
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded) (sn: 5001438008A0DB50)
Port Name: 1I

Port Name: 2I

Internal Drive Cage at Port 1I, Box 1, OK

Internal Drive Cage at Port 2I, Box 1, OK

Array A (SATA, Unused Space: 0 MB)

logicaldrive 1 (3.6 TB, RAID 50, OK)

physicaldrive 1I:1:1 (port 1I:box 1:bay 1, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)
physicaldrive 1I:1:2 (port 1I:box 1:bay 2, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)
physicaldrive 1I:1:3 (port 1I:box 1:bay 3, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)
physicaldrive 1I:1:4 (port 1I:box 1:bay 4, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)
physicaldrive 2I:1:5 (port 2I:box 1:bay 5, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)
physicaldrive 2I:1:6 (port 2I:box 1:bay 6, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)

SEP (Vendor ID PMCSIERA, Model SRC 8x6G) 250 (WWID: 5001438008A0DB5F)

./ssacli ctrl slot=0 pd all show status
physicaldrive 1I:1:1 (port 1I:box 1:bay 1, 1 TB): OK
physicaldrive 1I:1:2 (port 1I:box 1:bay 2, 1 TB): OK
physicaldrive 1I:1:3 (port 1I:box 1:bay 3, 1 TB): OK
physicaldrive 1I:1:4 (port 1I:box 1:bay 4, 1 TB): OK
physicaldrive 2I:1:5 (port 2I:box 1:bay 5, 1 TB): OK
physicaldrive 2I:1:6 (port 2I:box 1:bay 6, 1 TB): OK

 

./ssacli ctrl slot=0 pd all show detail
Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded)
Array A
physicaldrive 1I:1:1
Port: 1I
Box: 1
Bay: 1
Status: OK
Drive Type: Data Drive
Interface Type: SATA
Size: 1 TB
Drive exposed to OS: False
Logical/Physical Block Size: 512/512
Rotational Speed: 5400
Firmware Revision: 01.01A01
Serial Number: WD-WX51AA5PN33X
WWID: 3001438008A0DB50
Model: ATA WDC WD10JPVX-22J
SATA NCQ Capable: True
SATA NCQ Enabled: True
Current Temperature (C): 23
Maximum Temperature (C): 41
PHY Count: 1
PHY Transfer Rate: 3.0Gbps
Sanitize Erase Supported: False
Shingled Magnetic Recording Support: None

physicaldrive 1I:1:2
Port: 1I
Box: 1
Bay: 2
Status: OK
Drive Type: Data Drive
Interface Type: SATA
Size: 1 TB
Drive exposed to OS: False
Logical/Physical Block Size: 512/512
Rotational Speed: 5400
Firmware Revision: 04.01A04
Serial Number: WD-WXG2A300A6JN
WWID: 3001438008A0DB51
Model: ATA WDC WD10SPZX-60Z
SATA NCQ Capable: True
SATA NCQ Enabled: True
Current Temperature (C): 25
Maximum Temperature (C): 45
PHY Count: 1
PHY Transfer Rate: 3.0Gbps
Sanitize Erase Supported: False
Shingled Magnetic Recording Support: None

physicaldrive 1I:1:3
Port: 1I
Box: 1
Bay: 3
Status: OK
Drive Type: Data Drive
Interface Type: SATA
Size: 1 TB
Drive exposed to OS: False
Logical/Physical Block Size: 512/512
Rotational Speed: 5400
Firmware Revision: 01.01A01
Serial Number: WD-WX41A95HDFH2
WWID: 3001438008A0DB52
Model: ATA WDC WD10JPVX-22J
SATA NCQ Capable: True
SATA NCQ Enabled: True
Current Temperature (C): 24
Maximum Temperature (C): 46
PHY Count: 1
PHY Transfer Rate: 3.0Gbps
Sanitize Erase Supported: False
Shingled Magnetic Recording Support: None

physicaldrive 1I:1:4
Port: 1I
Box: 1
Bay: 4
Status: OK
Drive Type: Data Drive
Interface Type: SATA
Size: 1 TB
Drive exposed to OS: False
Logical/Physical Block Size: 512/512
Rotational Speed: 5400
Firmware Revision: 01.01A01
Serial Number: WXF1AA3K9884
WWID: 3001438008A0DB53
Model: ATA WDC WD10JPVX-75J
SATA NCQ Capable: True
SATA NCQ Enabled: True
Current Temperature (C): 24
Maximum Temperature (C): 42
PHY Count: 1
PHY Transfer Rate: 3.0Gbps
Sanitize Erase Supported: False
Shingled Magnetic Recording Support: None

physicaldrive 2I:1:5
Port: 2I
Box: 1
Bay: 5
Status: OK
Drive Type: Data Drive
Interface Type: SATA
Size: 1 TB
Drive exposed to OS: False
Logical/Physical Block Size: 512/512
Rotational Speed: 5400
Firmware Revision: 01.01A01
Serial Number: WD-WXP1A96PKXSA
WWID: 3001438008A0DB54
Model: ATA WDC WD10JPVX-60J
SATA NCQ Capable: True
SATA NCQ Enabled: True
Current Temperature (C): 24
Maximum Temperature (C): 47
PHY Count: 1
PHY Transfer Rate: 3.0Gbps
Sanitize Erase Supported: False
Shingled Magnetic Recording Support: None

physicaldrive 2I:1:6
Port: 2I
Box: 1
Bay: 6
Status: OK
Drive Type: Data Drive
Interface Type: SATA
Size: 1 TB
Drive exposed to OS: False
Logical/Physical Block Size: 512/512
Rotational Speed: 5400
Firmware Revision: 02.01A02
Serial Number: WD-WXC2A3075L6Z
WWID: 3001438008A0DB55
Model: ATA WDC WD10SPZX-21Z
SATA NCQ Capable: True
SATA NCQ Enabled: True
Current Temperature (C): 24
Maximum Temperature (C): 40
PHY Count: 1
PHY Transfer Rate: 3.0Gbps
Sanitize Erase Supported: False
Shingled Magnetic Recording Support: None

./ssacli ctrl slot=0 ld all show status
logicaldrive 1 (3.6 TB, RAID 50): OK

 

 

 

[E_Espinel]

Hello.
The utility confirms the following:
Controller ok
physical drives ok
the logical drive ok (only one logicaldirve)

The HP DL380 G6 would only be supported for VMware vSphere 5.5U3, I don't see it supported for version 6.0 (according to VMware 2016 documentation).

What exact build and version do you have?
could you run the following commands:
vmware -v

The Smart Array P410i controller has
Firmware: 2.74-0
Ctl Drvier: HPE HPSA / 6.0.0.124-1OEM

In the meantime you could try to update the firmware of the controller, I attach a link where you can get it and there are the instructions to update.
https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/swd/detail?swItemId=MTX-d2c320b9a12e4671a9d213bdb7#tab3

Another option is to update the firmware of controller using the latest HP Service Pack for ProLiant.
for this server.

 

 

[micromax]

Thanks very much Enrique.

Updating the firmware of the controller has actually worked, and I now magically have access to the Raid array!

Now do you possibly have any suggestions on how I can get the system to see the eSata drives that worked previously under ver 5.5, but would not work when I reinstalled another 5.5 ESXi instance? see https://communities.vmware.com/t5/ESXi-Discussions/eSata-drives-not-seen-in-VSphere/m-p/2891427/emcs...

PS: I have VMware ESXi 6.0.0 build-9313334 installed.

 

[E_Espinel]

Hello.
I am glad that my suggestion was helpful, please don't forget to rate my answer.

I am a bit confused, you have a SATA AHCI Controller card in the HP DL380 G6 ?

Check the overview of the HP DL380 G6 and it only indicates Smart Array controllers by default.
https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c01714639

The build you indicate is from 2018, it would be advisable to apply the latest build of this version 6.0 (15517548 /2020)
attached link where you can get it:

https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/patch#search

 

 

[micromax]

Hi Enrique,

Yes, I marked your previous message as the correct answer - thanks once again.

And yes, I have a ASM1062 Serial ATA Controller that worked fine before the server (two raid drives) crashed, and now none of the things I've tried have worked to get the eSata drives recognized again. The main reason I need  the eSata drives is that they contained the backups from the now defunct raid array.

Would it be better if we discussed that issue on the original post?

As far as upgrading the ESXi 6 to the latest release, does it matter that it is not the HP specific version?

 

 

[E_Espinel]