How to build ESXi-FreeNAS with a Supermicro & BPN-SAS2-826EL1 backplane

[Buomque]

Hi guys,

I am trying to build a ESXi and FreeNAS server with a 12-HDD-2U Supermicro server. Currently, all drives are controlled by onboard SLI (IT mode). Is there a way to split out 4 drives for ESXi, and 8 drives to an external HBA for passthru?

Or is there any suggestion on how to build a ESXi - FreeNAS setup with the hardware I have?

Thanks,

 

[IQless]

AFAIK, you can not pass only parts of a controller trough.
It would be a lot easier for the people here on the forum to help if you list all the hardware specs (according to the forum rules).

 

[Buomque]

Here are my hardware specs:
2U Supermicro server
System board: X9DRD-7LN4F
HDD Backplane: bpn-sas2-826el1
CPU: 2*E5-2630L
RAM:16*8Gb Samsung
HDD controllers: 1* onboard + 1*external Supermicro raid card (both are in IT mode)
HDD: 12 total (4*240Gb SSD + 8*2TB SATA)
Network card: onboard 4*1Gb ports
I was thinking of create a RAID10 (4 SSD) and use that for ESXi OS + FreeNAS VM. Passthru the 8 SATA drives to freeNAS so I can do software RAID with it.
Any suggestion on how to make it work, or how to do a ESXi-FreeNAS setup with what I have?

Thank you,

 

[sretalla]

I think you will need to get an additional controller and attach the FreeNAS disks to it, then pass it through via PCI in ESX.

Unless you have sufficient ports on the onboard controller to do your ESX work with that one and pass the Supermicro card to FreeNAS.