The VMware Knowledge Base provides support solutions, error messages and troubleshooting guides
Search the VMware Knowledge Base (KB)
View by Article ID
Configuring QLogic BIOS to Boot from SAN
Details
Does VMware have any specific advice on configuring QLogic Fibre Channel adapters to boot from SAN?
Solution
There are several settings you need to configure in the QLogic BIOS to boot ESX Server from SAN. You need to enable the HBA BIOS, enable Selectable Boot and select the boot LUN. Follow these steps:
While booting the server, press Ctrl-Q to enter the Fast!UTIL configuration utility.
Do one of the following:
If you have only one host bus adapter (HBA), it is selected automatically, and the Fast!UTIL Options screen appears.
If you have more than one HBA, you need to select it manually. In the Select Host Adapter screen, use the cursor keys to select the chosen HBA and press Enter.
Note: Booting from SAN requires choosing the lowest numbered HBA that has any LUNs visible.
In the Fast!UTIL Options screen, select Configuration Settings and press Enter.
In the Configurations Settings screen, select Host Adapter Settings and press Enter.
In the Host Adapter Settings screen, select Host Adapter BIOS and press Enter to toggle the value to Enabled. This enables the BIOS to search for SCSI devices.
Press Esc to exit.
Select Selectable Boot Settings and press Enter.
In the Selectable Boot Settings screen, select Selectable Boot and press Enter to toggle the value to Enabled.
Use the cursor keys to select the first entry in the list of storage processors and press Enter to open the Select Fibre Channel Device screen.
Use the cursor keys to select the chosen storage processor (SP) and press Enter.
Note: Booting from SAN requires selecting the SP with the lowest target ID that has an attached LUN. That is the SP/LUN combination that is seen first in a scan from the HBA. The wwpn sequence does not necessarily correspond with the target ID sequence. If your storage array is an active-passive type, the selected SP must also be the preferred (active) path to the boot LUN. If you are not sure which SP has the lowest target ID or which one has the preferred connection to the boot LUN, use your storage array management software to determine that information.
Perform one of these:
If the SP has only one LUN attached, it is automatically selected as the boot LUN, and you do not need to enter the Select LUN screen.
If the SP has more than one LUN attached, the Select LUN screen opens. Use the cursor keys to select the chosen LUN, then press Enter.
Note: Booting from SAN requires choosing the lowest numbered LUN attached to the SP.
If there are any remaining storage processors showing in the list, you should position to those entries and press C to clear the data.
Press Esc twice to exit and press Enter to save the setting.
