RAID5 volumes on ARC-1222 not recognized by ESXi

[werewolf07]

Hey guys,

I am a n00b & I just setup my first official esxi server. I have the latest version of ESXi installed.

I have created a 2TB RAID5 volume out of 3TB using ARC-1222 Raid Controller. When I login to the vSphere Client, to add a datastore from the "configuration" tab, it does not recognize the 2TB volume. Do I need to add a driver? If so, how would I add the driver?

I hope you can help me.

Thanks a lot!

[idle-jam]

Max support for VMFS is 2TB-512B, anything more than that will not be recognizable. I would advise you into like 1.5TB or 1TB setup.

[DSTAVERT]

Download driver from http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/datacenter_downloads/vmware_vsphere_4/4_0#drivers_tools

[werewolf07]

how do I install the driver?

[DSTAVERT]

Download the driver CD. Installation instructions are on the CD. You will need to download the vCLI tools. A link to the tools is on the web interface for your ESXi host machine. http://your_server_ip

[DSTAVERT]

http://downloads.vmware.com/d/details/esx_esxi40_areca_arcmsr_dt/ZHcqYmQld2hidGR3

[werewolf07]

Thanks a lot guys!

- the driver that was in the Driver CD from VMware did not work. It gave me an error. (I rebooted the server, and did not see the Areca Storage Controller).

- I found that Areca provides drivers for VMware ESX and ESXi here at: ftp://ftp.areca.com.tw/RaidCards/AP_Drivers/VMware/ESXi_4.x/ So I downloaded the latest build and the installation was successful. I can see the Storage Controller and the 1.8TB Raid5 volume & was able to add it as a datastore.

I really appreciate all your help!

[DSTAVERT]

I would do some searching through the VMware forums for Areca. There are or were very recent problems with the Areca cards and drivers. http://communities.vmware.com/search.jspa?q=Areca

[DSTAVERT]

Glad you are up and going.

[CWI_123]

1. download !latest! driver from areca-ftp ftp://areca.starline.de/ (mirror germany)

-> areca has newer driver for ESX5.x ,maybe try beta it will fix some problems

2. copy it on the esx host

3a. esxcli system maintenanceMode set --enable true

3b. run: localcli software vib install --no-sig-check –v scsi-arcmsr-1.20.00.15.vmk5.130419-1vmw.500.0.0.472560.x86_64.vib

4. reboot

5. esxcli system maintenanceMode set --enable false

[werewolf07]

areca died on me. moved on to LSI.

Thanks for your help though. Appreciate it.!