There is a new utility (a Fling) which has been just released called VSAN Hardware Compatibility List Checker. This free tool allows to check a host if all its components are on the HCL list. It allows you to check if a storage controller on a server is on VMware HCL.
There is, of course, the VMware HCL site where you can search for VSAN compatible storage controllers, but this tool does it the other way around.
The VSAN Hardware Compatibility List Checker is a tool that verifies all installed storage adapters against the VSAN supported storage controller list. The tool will verify if the model and firmware version of the storage adapter are supported. For firmware version validation, the VSAN Hardware Compatibility List Checker supports LSI and HP, and their OEM variants storage adapters.
How does it work?
After uncompressing the zip archive you'll find an executable called
When you execute this exe it brings up a window where you're invited to:
- Enter a hostname
- Enter a root password
The app fetches the latest HCL DB…. and then closes the window….
You can then find a html file in the same folder with all the details…
In my case the LSI SAS 3008 is on the HCL but there is no information concerning the firmware version. You can check my Lab page – https://www.vladan.fr/lab for all details of my vSphere lab.
The troubleshooting Tab says that:
- Firmware version detection is only available for HP/LSI controllers.
- Requires appropriate LSI/HP CIM provider installed.
- Requires CIM Service (secure) running on ESXi host on port 5989
So I might need to check Supermicro website if I can find a CIM provider for my system….
The requirements:
- HTTPS/443 access to ESXi hosts (interacting with hostd)
- TCP/5989 access to ESXi hosts (CIM service secure)
- CIM provider for HP or LSI controller
Great utility with lots of details and which also works for older versions fo VSAN !!! Not only the latest one.
The utility was built by Christian Dickmann and Duy Nguyen from VMware.
Download from VMware Labs here – VSAN Hardware Compatibility List Checker