I'm considering upgrading my current server to a new ESXi build. If I do, I'm likely going to go with the X9SCM-F which has 6 ports on the board. I also have an M1015 which gives me 8 more ports for a total of 14 ports.

 

But, I need two more SATA ports for my 16 disks. Should I get another M1015 and end up with 6 extra ports? Or is there a cheaper way (that works just as fast as the M1015) to get those 2 extra ports? Maybe there's another 2 or 4 port SATA card out there that's supported under ESXi?

...in an ESXi build, the controller will be passed through (using the vt-d feature) to the unRAID VM.

However, you are not able to pass through on-board ports, that are part of the native controller/chipset.

These ports can be used to host disks, forming a datastore for ESXi.

In order to use up to 16 disks in unRAID, you'll be in need to employ two controller cards (2x M1015) and pass them to the VM..

...in an ESXi build, the controller will be passed through (using the vt-d feature) to the unRAID VM.

However, you are not able to pass through on-board ports, that are part of the native controller/chipset.

These ports can be used to host disks, forming a datastore for ESXi.

In order to use up to 16 disks in unRAID, you'll be in need to employ two controller cards (2x M1015) and pass them to the VM..

 

Thanks for the reply. I've been reading up on this all night and it appears that's the right way to do it (2 M1015's pass through to unRAID). Time to start looking for some deals on eBay.