Running setup.pl on host with no existing datastores

Question

I have a new environment I am setting up: Dell Vmware 5.0 (Ent) hosts and a 10Gb Equallogic PS61xx SAN

I am following the excellent Dell documentation and wish to run setup.pl to setup my Vmware Vswitches and then to install the DellMultipathing (MEM)

I have installed Vsphere CLI on my mgmt workstation and attempt to run this command:

Setup.pl --install --server=172.19.0.203 --bundle=dell-eql-mem-esx5-1.2.0.365964.zip

This fails because there is no datastore presented to the host yet

I am in chicken and egg scenario, I need storage available to be able to connect to the storage!

How do I get around this? would running off a VMA appliance be any different? (I am thinking of runnign VMA off my mgmt workstation using VMware Workstation)

Thanks

Origin3k · Answer

Well,

if you have a working vCenter already you can deploy the Dell EQL MeM through the vSphere Updatemanter. If there is no vCenter, because of no Datastores, you can copy the zip/vib with the help of (p)scp* to root@example.com:/tmp and then open an ssh console and use "esxcli software ..." to install the MeM. The host needs to place into maintenance first and a reboot is needed.

Sind 4.1 the binding of the VMKs to the swISCSI initiator can made through the vSphere GUI which makes it easy. So command line kung-fu isnt necessary anymore. There is a EQL Bestpractive which cover the creating of vSwitch, Uplink, VMKs and some adv. parameter about Delayed ACK, LRO.

* You have to enable SSH in the Troubleshooting section of DCUI or under SecurityProfile in the Host->Configuration menu.

Regards,

Joerg

MagicHair · Answer

Thanks Don and Joerg.

Don - you nailed it, I was running the scripts in the wrong order - once the script setup my iSCSI network, I then of course could upload/install the Dell MEM.

Also thanks to both of you for your participation in these forums, I've been reading/researching and your answers have been valuable.

MagicHair · Answer

If anyone has the ability to alter Dell whiteppers, perhaps they can change the order within this guide:

"ESXi Version 5.1 or 5.5 Host

Rapid EqualLogic Configuration Series

Implementation guide" (Dec 2013)

EqualLogic

Running setup.pl on host with no existing datastores

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