Hi,
I want to use ESXi 5.5 on a system with the following hardware specifications:
- Chipset: Intel Q77 Express
- Processor: i5-3470
- Memory: 4x2GB RAM
- Storage: 3x 500GB SATA 3
- RAID: Integrated Intel RAID 0,1 controller
- Ethernet: Intel 82579LM (driver successfully injected into ISO via ESXi customizer tool)
1st question - Support of Intel Q77 Express integrated RAID controller:
My idea was to use the 1st of the 500GB harddisks for the installation of the ESXi server itself,
and the 2nd and 3rd harddisk as RAID for storing the virtual machines.
I've setup the RAID via the RAID Setup Utility (accessed through CTRL-I).
Then I've installed ESXi 5.5 on the 1st harddisk.
If I connect to the ESXi via the vSphere Client, I can see all three harddisks under "Configuration" - "Storage".
However, they are listed as three different harddisks.
My assumption was to only see two harddisks listed (1st harddisk (which contains the ESXi) and another harddisk (which is the RAID containing 2nd and 3rd harddisk)).
So is my assumption correct that the RAID is not recognized by the ESXi?
I've read that ESXi 5.5 doesn't support most of the integrated RAID controllers anymore, but is this also true for the integrated Intel RAID controller of the Intel Q77 Express chipset?
2nd question - Best practice of using datastore on harddisk which contains the ESXi installation:
As mentioned, I've installed ESXi 5.5 on the 1st harddisk.
This is a 500GB harddisk with a lot of available space left which I don't want to waste.
What would be the best practice to use the remaining space for hosting virtual machines?
Should I create a seperate partition and create a new datastore within it?
Does having a datastore on the same harddisk where the ESXi server is installed affecting the performance of the virtual machines?
...
Thanks and best regards!