Install esxi 5.5 or 6 on PE R415 server --- no disks found

Question

PE Server R415 with S300 raid controller with three SAS disks and IS in a working RAID5 config. The server is fully functional with Server 2008R2 but we need to reinstall from scratch (because the server has Ransomware on it).

Bios is 2.4 (latest)

Trying to install either ESXI 5.5 or 6 or Windows 2012R2 but both initial installs complain about no disks found.

My problem is that the server has no iDRAC and the Unity software/firmware is so limited that I cannot use it to deploy either OS. Does anyone know what is an alternative setup I could use ?

Dell-DylanJ · Answer

The S300 controller is only intended for use with a Windows OS. Windows will still need the S300 driver to see the storage attached to the controller, though. The Lifecycle controller should have the ability for you to deploy the os and it can stage the drivers for you, or you can load the driver in the Windows installer manually. You would just need to download the driver file from the support page, then place the payload onto a USB drive, so that you can point the installer to the driver file. The Windows installer will have a 'Load driver' button that will let you pull it from the USB.

Dell-DylanJ · Answer

Do you want to make ESXi or Windows your goal? I think it would be best to confirm a definite target, first. If you want to use ESXi, I would recommend setting the SATA mode to AHCI, not RAID.

https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_ser_stor_net/esuprt_dell_adapters/poweredge-rc-s100_user%27s%20guide_en-us.pdf

Pages 15 and 16 will show that ESXi isn't supported by the controller. I also can't find it anywhere on VMware's HCL, so that a driver could be downloaded.

As for the more fleshed out feature set in the preboot environment, those servers may be using a Lifecycle controller and iDRAC, as opposed to the Unified Server Configurator. That's the only explanation I can think of for those looking differently.

When you try to load the driver into the Windows installer, which file are you trying to get it to accept?

soon2019 · Answer

Hey Dell-DylanJ, thanks for your input. 1. Tried that windows 2012 install and loading the drivers, but it failed. Driver not compatible with 2012 (even thought its listed on the Dell drivers download page) 2. Tried that Windows 2012 install via the Unified OS Deployment -- Cannot find the catalog host file ??? 3. It is fully compatible with ESXI 5.5. Used the Dell customized ISO. We even have several R415 servers that have ESXI fully operational, but was installed by someone else, and those servers have 'more' features in the Unified OS Deployment area. So I am at total loss as to how in the world this guy was able to pull it off. I have researched it all over the net and have come up with a lot of possible ways, but none have worked so far. One guy said to switch over to pure SATA and it would work and so did the Dell website. But both were wrong, since it would involve the replacement of the SAS controller bundled cables to straight SATA cables AND would require special 4 to 1 SATA power cable. The existing one is integrated with the SAS data cable, which is ONLY pluggable into the SAS controller........lots of research done, tried so many configurations, I am so disappointed in Dell for making installing a server next to impossible.

soon2019 · Answer

The RAID was configured in the S300 Controller (Ctrl-R) boot option, btw. I dont think the changing the mode to AHCI will affect the RAID. That Sata mode is only in bios - which only affects the SATA ports, which is currently not connected to anything.    OR is it that I am not understanding with the SATA mode ?

soon2019 · Answer

I have two ESXI 5.5. PE R415 Servers currently fully operational, so I just need to be able to run anyone of the two OS. The file I used, I downloaded from Dells website under R415 drivers, under windows 2012 R2 selection. As well as Dell custom ISO in the VMware 5.5 and 6.0 selections (tried both) This is the exact file: Dell PERC S300 Adapter, PERC S300 Integrated Modular, v.1.0.1-0021+00193000, A03. I extracted the contents and placed them on a usb drive and guided the Windows 2012R2 server to load drivers option, etc. I got an error that driver is incompatible -- so weird

PowerEdge Hardware General

Install esxi 5.5 or 6 on PE R415 server --- no disks found

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