We’ve been running ESX since the days of v2.5, but with the news that v4.1 will be the last “fat” version with a RedHat service console, we decided it was time to transition to ESXi. The 30+ step guide below describes our process using an EMC CLARiiON CX3 SAN and Dell hosts with redundant Qlogic HBAs (fiber environment).
- Document network/port mappings in vSphere Client on existing ESX server
- Put host into maintenance mode
- Shutdown host
- Remove host from Storage Group in EMC Navisphere
- Create dedicated Storage Group per host for the boot LUN in Navisphere
- Create the 5GB boot LUN for the host
- Add the boot LUN to the host’s Storage Group
- Connect to the host console via the Dell Remote Access Card (DRAC)
- Attach ESXi media via DRAC virtual media
- Power on host (physically or via the DRAC)
- Press CTRL+Q to enter Qlogic FastUtil
- Select Configuration Settings
- Select Adapter Settings
- Change “HBA BIOS” to Enabled [ESC]
- Select “Selectable Boot”
- Change to “Enabled”
- Change primary from zeroes to the disk with the address of the owning SP
- Compare the address with the EMC Storage Processor (SP) Front-End Port addresses in Navisphere
- If the disk shows as “LUNZ”, do not enable Selectable Boot or configure a disk (skip to 21)
- Escape and Save settings, but don’t leave the utility
- At the main menu, select “Select Host Adapter”
- Change to the next adapter
- Repeat steps 12 through 20
- Exit the utility, reboot, and press F2 to enter Setup
- Change Boot Hard Disk Sequence to put the SAN disk first
- Exit BIOS and reboot
- Press F11 for boot menu
- Select Virtual CD
- In Setup on the “Select a Disk” screen, select the remote 5GB LUN
- Press F11 to begin install
- Press Enter to reboot the host
- After setup completes, configure password, time, and network
- Add host to vCenter and configure networking (per step 1)
- Add LUNs to the host’s Storage Group in Navisphere
- Rescan for storage on host in vCenter
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