ESXi 5 cannot see the logical array

[davetechfreak]

Hello,

I am installing a brand new UCS C220 M3BE for CUCMBE 8.6.2 (with UnityConnection). As far as I understood the documentation, I am supposed to install ESXi first. I have got an ESXi cd that was shipped with the box (version 5.0). Also, in CIMC I have got an LSI MegaRAID SAS 9266-8i, and the box came with a pre-configured RAID 10 array of four drives (total of 929GB usable).

The problem so far is that I cannot get the ESXi installation to recognize the logical drive.

I have not got any experience with UCS servers. So far, I only know a few things about ESXi and I have had it set up in a home lab with CUCM.

Do I need the drivers package from cisco.com? I am downloading it just now, however, I don't see an option during the ESXi installation allowing me to specify any drivers...

Any ideas?

Many Thanks,

David

[Zaira Vega]

Try with the Cisco OEM image from VMware:

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=ESXI50U1&productId=229

There you can select if it is:

ESXI 5.0

ESXi 5.0 U1

ESXi 5.0 U2

Depending on the server firmware certain versions are supported:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps10477/prod_technical_reference_list.html

You cannot load drivers during ESXi installation, it just don't have an option for that as you already saw.

That image I mentioned comes with the LSI drivers needed.

[davetechfreak]

Thank you for the reply. I was just wondering, am I going to be able to activate ESXi after downloading the trial from VMware. Also, is this the only way to install CUCM on these devices - as a vm? I am guessing I cannot install it directly?

[Zaira Vega]

David,

Yes, after ESXi installation you can activate the license from vSphere:

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2014295

I'm not a CUCM expert but I guess ESXi is needed to install it.

[Daniel Laden]

Curious.  Can you confirm you received the ESXi installation media with the C220. Or did it come with Unity.  Or did it come from somewhere else.

Thank You,

Dan Laden

Cisco PDI Data Center

Want to know more about how PDI can assist you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BebSCuxcQU&list=PL88EB353557455BD7

http://www.cisco.com/go/pdihelpdesk

[KRIS PATE]

Just an FYI.   The current CUCM versions (and other UC applications) don't officially support Vsphere 5.1.  Currently only vSphere (Esxi) 4.0, 4.1 and 5.0 are supported for most of the UC applications.

The whole list of what is supported is at:

http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/Unified_Communications_VMware_Requirements#Supported_Versions_of_VMware_vSphere_ESXi

Supposedly there will be CUCM releases in the future that will be compatible with vSphere 5.1

Kris

[davetechfreak]

I managed to get the hypervisor installed with the ISO from vmware (the cisco modified), and also got CUCM 8.6.2a up and running. ESXi got activated with the master serial number that I got with the package. The one thing that I have never done before is to install Unity Connection. Now, since this is a BE6K, are they supposed to run on the same VM or separate?

I followed the guide for installing CUCM on virtual infrastructure from OVA, but could not find any concrete information about Unity...

Might be a daft question but I am really confused, so far. I do not understand what are the general steps to get the BE6K on the UCS. Does anyone know what is it supposed to look like in the end (how many VMs, are they all deployed separate from OVAs)? Also, is it normal to receive the box with nothing preinstalled on it?

Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

Thanks,

David

[KRIS PATE · Accepted solution]

Make sure you are using the correct OVA for the BE6000.  There is a 1000 user OVA for CUCM and a different 1000 user OVA for  CUC that only are supported on the C220 that you have.

You install a different VM per app.

OVA templates for the BE6000

http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/Cisco_Business_Edition_6000_OVA/OVF_Templates

Implementation instructions for BE6000

http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/Implementing_Cisco_Business_Edition_6000

Kris

[davetechfreak]

Hi

Thanks a lot to everyone. Seems that we are moving forward. Will be installing Unity Connection today, so wish me luck.

Many Thanks,

David