Install ESX5 and HBA Driver

[iceman10]

Hi!

I have a new HP server with fiberchannel, and I want to install ESX 5 and get the fiberchannel working.

How do I proceed to get this to work? It is a  Brocade 8Gb Fiber Channel HBA

I have tried to find drivers but without any luck   I will install the free version of ESX for test porpose.

Thank you!

[a_p_]

Most FC HBA's are supported out-of-the-box with ESXi 5, for some others, VMware provides additional drivers. Which model do you use? You may check the  VMware Compatibility Guide: System Search to find out whether it is supported. The additional drivers can be found at http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/datacenter_cloud_infrastructure/vmware_vsphere/5_0#drivers_tools

André

[iceman10]

My server is a HP ProLiant DL360G6, seems to be supported.

I found this file, BCD-bfa-3.0.1.0-00000-503860.zip but I dont know how to use it?

Should I install esx5 first and after that install the driver? If, how do I install the driver?

thanks

[a_p_]

Assuming the package you found supports your HBA, you may either install it after installing ESXi or - depending on the number of hosts you need to install - use the Image Builder to create your own installation disk/ISO with the driver already included. (see e.g. http://virtualbill.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/vmware-vsphere-5using-image-builder-for-custom-installat...)

For how to install the driver after installation of ESXi, simply extract the .zip file you downloaded and find the readme.txt in the doc folder.

André

[iceman10]

I found driver on Brocades site and did use vMA to install drivers. using commands from another question here at Community.

Thanks!