CAUTION: Version 3.1.1 of the driver software is not backward-compatible. When you install version 3.1.1, you cannot revert to any previous version.

IMPORTANT: All operating systems must be 64-bit architecture.

NOTE: IO Accelerators cannot be used as hibernation devices.

The following scenarios are supported:

•Using the IO Accelerator as a VMFS datastore within the hypervisor, and then sharing that storage with guest operating systems. Guest operating systems can be 32-bit or 64-bit architecture because they are not directly using the IO Accelerator.

•Using PCI pass-through to enable a virtual machine to directly use the IO Accelerator. Only supported operating systems can use the device.

NOTE: PCI pass-through is currently supported on Windows® and Linux operating systems that are supported by HP. For installation instructions and a list of supported operating systems, see the HP IO Accelerator Windows User Guide or the HP IO Accelerator Linux User Guide.

NOTE: If you are passing the devices through the system, you do not have to install the IO Accelerator driver on an ESX or ESXi system. Install the driver on the guest system. Install the driver only if you plan to create a VMFS on the devices. For more information, see "Working with IO Accelerators and VMDirectPathIO (on page 42)."

NOTE: For best results, HP recommends running the latest Service Pack of a release.

Supported firmware revisions

VMware ESX version

IO Accelerator

IO Accelerator

Comments

 

software

firmware

 

 

 

 

 

VMware ESX 4.0

2.2.3 or 2.3.1

101583_6 or 101971_6

Update 1; 101583 is

 

 

(2.3.1)

compatible with both software

 

 

 

versions.

 

 

 

 

VMware ESXi 4.0

Not supported

Not supported

ESXi 4.0 is not supported.

VMware ESX 4.1

2.2.3 or 2.3.1

101583_6 or 101971_6

Version 101583 is

 

 

(2.3.1)

compatible with both software

 

 

 

versions

 

 

 

 

VMware ESXi 4.1

2.3.1

101583_6 or 101971_6

HP recommends 101971_6

 

 

(2.3.1)

firmware

NOTE: HP StorageWorks IO Accelerators require firmware version 101971_6 or 101583. HP PCIe IO Accelerators also support firmware version 101971_4.

Supported hardware

HP IO Accelerator for BladeSystem c-Class

Introduction 8