Unable to configure virtual drive on a Cisco UCS C-Series

[ppl.pedro.lourenco]

When starting the VMware-ESXi-7.0.0-16324942-Custom-Cisco-4.1.2a.iso configuration, no storage device available.

The platform is Cisco UCSC-C220-M5SX Server, with BMC 4.1(2a) and BIOS C220M5.4.1.2a.0.0624200115 with HDD 1 TB 6G SATA 7.2K RPM SFF HDD and Embedded RAID Interposer card.

BIOS Boot mode is set to UEFI, SWRaid Configuration in LSI SW RAID and LSI Software RAIS Configuration Utility (SATA) has Virtual Drive0: MegaSR R0 #0, RAID0.

LSI WebBIOS Configuration Utility (CTRL+H) is not accessible after reboot.

On the Main page of the BIOS Setup Utility, Quiet Boot is not present.

Is there any missing step?

Thanks.

[Kirk J · Accepted solution]

ESXi does not support software raid (mega_SR module).

You either need to have drives in AHCI mode,,, or have the actual M.2 hardware raid carrier present.

If you have the M.2 raid carrier present do NOT enable software raid.

If you have hotplug drive, that is connected to internal ICH/interposer controller, then that will need to be in NON-raid AHCI jbod mode.

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/products/collateral/servers-unified-computing/ucs-c-series-rack-servers/c220m5-sff-specsheet.pdf

NOTE: The embedded software RAID is limited to Windows and Linux operating
systems only. There is no VMware support for embedded software RAID.

Kirk...

[ppl.pedro.lourenco · Accepted solution]

Indeed, I have hotplug drive connected to internal interposer controller and now is working when change to NON-raid AHCI jbod mode.

Well done!

Thanks for your precious help!