The ESXi-Arm Fling has received a significant update, and one of the most exciting enhancements is the improved support for NVMe devices, especially on platforms like the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. If you’re looking to maximize the performance of your ESXi-Arm environment with lightning-fast NVMe storage, this guide will walk you through the installation process.
This update not only brings support for NVMe but also includes crucial fixes and performance improvements, making it an essential upgrade for anyone running ESXi on Arm architecture. Let’s dive into how you can leverage NVMe with the latest ESXi-Arm Fling.
Prerequisites for NVMe ESXi-Arm Fling Installation
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
- Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) or compatible Arm-based hardware: While testing has focused on the Raspberry Pi CM4, PCIe support may extend to other compatible boards.
- NVMe SSD: A compatible NVMe Solid State Drive for high-speed storage.
- Latest ESXi-Arm Fling Installer or Offline Bundle: Downloadable from the ESXi-Arm VMware Customer Connect site.
- Updated UEFI Firmware (version 1.2 or later): Crucial for EQOS MAC address fix and optimal PCIe device compatibility. Get the latest firmware from https://github.com/jaredmcneill/quartz64_uefi/releases.
- SD Card or eMMC (optional): May be needed for initial UEFI boot, even when installing ESXi on NVMe.
Step-by-Step Guide to Install ESXi-Arm Fling with NVMe
Follow these steps to install ESXi-Arm Fling and configure it to boot from your NVMe drive:
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Download the ESXi-Arm Fling: Navigate to the ESXi-Arm VMware Customer Connect portal and download the latest installer ISO or offline bundle.
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Prepare your Boot Media: Create a bootable USB drive or SD card using the downloaded ESXi-Arm Fling ISO. You can use tools like Rufus or Etcher for this purpose.
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Update UEFI Firmware: Ensure your system is running the latest UEFI firmware (version 1.2 or later). Refer to your hardware’s documentation for instructions on updating the UEFI firmware. This step is critical for PCIe and NVMe functionality, as well as the EQOS MAC address fix.
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Configure EEPROM BOOT_ORDER for NVMe: For Raspberry Pi CM4, it’s essential to configure the EEPROM BOOT_ORDER to prioritize NVME. This ensures the system initializes PCIe correctly before UEFI starts, enabling NVMe drive detection. Even if you intend to keep UEFI on SD Card/eMMC, NVME should be listed first in the boot order.
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Install ESXi-Arm Fling: Boot your system from the prepared boot media (SD card or USB). Follow the on-screen instructions to install ESXi-Arm Fling. When prompted for a target disk, select your NVMe drive.
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Complete the Installation and Reboot: Once the installation is complete, reboot your system. If you have correctly configured the BOOT_ORDER and UEFI, your system should now boot directly from the NVMe drive.
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Verify NVMe Installation: After booting into ESXi, access the ESXi host client. Navigate to Storage and verify that your NVMe drive is recognized and configured as a datastore. You can now create virtual machines and leverage the high-performance NVMe storage.
Key Enhancements in this ESXi-Arm Fling Update
This update brings several improvements that enhance the ESXi-Arm Fling experience:
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Virtual CPU Performance Counters: Gain deeper insights into virtual machine performance by enabling CPU performance counters. This feature, disabled by default, can be activated in the VM Virtual Hardware configuration tab, allowing for detailed performance analysis using tools like
perf statwithin guest operating systems. -
EQOS Byte-Swapped MAC Address Fix: The updated EQOS driver resolves an issue with byte-swapped MAC addresses. This fix, coupled with the UEFI firmware update (version 1.2+), ensures correct network interface identification and operation. Remember, there was a “50% chance of a bit flip” in previous configurations, highlighting the importance of this update.
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PCIe Device Support on Raspberry Pi CM4: This release officially enables PCIe device support on Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, with a focus on NVMe compatibility. While testing has been primarily with NVMe, it opens the door for broader PCIe device usage in future updates.
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Arm SoC Version and Revision Reporting: For telemetry and system identification, the Fling now reports the Arm DEN0028 defined SoC version and revision.
Stay Connected and Contribute
Your feedback is invaluable to the ESXi-Arm Fling community. Stay updated and engaged through these channels:
- Twitter/X: Follow https://twitter.com/esxi_arm for the latest news and updates.
- VMTN Communities Forum: Join the ESXi-Arm Fling discussions to share your experiences, report issues, and connect with other users.
- Email: Contact the development team directly at [email protected].
By following this guide, you can successfully install ESXi-Arm Fling with NVMe support and unlock the full potential of high-speed storage for your Arm-based virtualization environment. Embrace the enhanced performance and contribute to the growing ESXi-Arm community!
