ProLiant MicroServer Gen10 Plus v2 - VROC F6 Drivers

[jamesfern]

I've recently purchased a ProLiant MicroServer Gen10 Plus v2, and configured the software RAID prior to installing windows server.

Turns out that during Windows Server installation, it needs to install the storage controller drivers - but HP doesn't make it easy to obtain them.

The storage controller is an Intel VROC SATA software RAID. But HP doesn't tell us what version, or where to get the drivers.

If anyone can help me find the correct drivers for my storage controller, I'd be very happy.

Thanks in advance...

[Suman_1978]

Hi,

Here is the Intel Virtual RAID on CPU drivers and Installing Windows Server on a RAID volume.
Here is the product page for MicroServer Gen10 Plus v2.

Thank You!
I work with HPE but opinions expressed here are mine.
HPE Tech Tips videos on How To and Troubleshooting topics

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. HPE ProLiant MicroServer Gen10 - Marvell Storage Utility (MSU)

2. HPE ProLiant MicroServers - Comparison Between Gen10 and Gen8 MicroServer

Please click on "Thumbs Up/Kudo" icon to give a "Kudo".

Thank you for being a HPE valuable community member.

[Moderator edit: Updated the broken link.]

[jamesfern]

This solution did not work.

For clarity:

I have purchased a brand new Proliant Microserver Gen10 Plus v2, with two (non-SSD) drives (supplied by HP) configured in a RAID 1 array using the VROC RAID controller.

I have enabled Intel VROC (VMD NVMe RAID) and Intel VROC in RBSU. I have enabled Intel VROC (SATA RAID) in RBSU. I have created RAID volume in RBSU for Intel VROC (SATA RAID) or Intel VROC (VMD NVMe RAID).

The windows Server 2019 installation cannot recognise the RAID array without the correct VROC drivers. I have tried a multitude of drivers from the links provided, but none of them enable the volume to be found by the windows installation.

Please supply me with the correct drivers for this configuration

[jamesfern]

@Suman_1978 

This does not appear to address my problem.

This solution did not work.

For clarity:

I have purchased a brand new Proliant Microserver Gen10 Plus v2, with two (non-SSD) drives (supplied by HP) configured in a RAID 1 array using the VROC RAID controller.

I have enabled Intel VROC (VMD NVMe RAID) and Intel VROC in RBSU. I have enabled Intel VROC (SATA RAID) in RBSU. I have created RAID volume in RBSU for Intel VROC (SATA RAID) or Intel VROC (VMD NVMe RAID).

The windows Server 2019 installation cannot recognise the RAID array without the correct VROC drivers. I have tried a multitude of drivers from the links provided, but none of them enable the volume to be found by the windows installation.

Please supply me with the correct drivers for this configuration

[Suman_1978]

Hi,

Request you to log a support case with HPE so that they can work on your issue.
https://www.hpe.com/us/en/contact-hpe.html

Thank You!
I work with HPE but opinions expressed here are mine.
HPE Tech Tips videos on How To and Troubleshooting topics

[jamesfern]

None of these drivers work for my VROC controller.

[jamesfern]

This answer was not helpful

[Vinky_99]

Hello @jamesfern 

Good day!

Finding drivers for specific hardware components can sometimes be a bit challenging, especially when it comes to specialized configurations like the Intel VROC SATA software RAID on the ProLiant MicroServer Gen10 Plus v2. Here are some steps you can take to locate the correct drivers:

>> Start by checking the official HPE support website. They often provide drivers and firmware updates for their servers. Visit the HPE support site, enter your server model, and look for storage controller or RAID controller drivers.

>> Since the storage controller is an Intel VROC SATA software RAID, you might want to check the Intel Download Center. Intel usually provides the latest drivers for their hardware. Go to the Intel Download Center, search for VROC, and download the appropriate drivers.

>> During the Windows Server installation, you can try using the "Load Driver" option to browse for drivers. Sometimes, Windows Update can also find and install the necessary drivers. Ensure that your server is connected to the internet during the installation process.

>> Check if there's a RAID configuration utility that you can access during the server's boot process. Some RAID controllers allow you to configure RAID settings and provide driver installation options.

>> If you're unable to find the drivers on the HPE website or elsewhere, consider reaching out to HPE support. They might be able to provide you with the necessary drivers or guide you to the correct resources.

I hope this helps!

[jwbowers]

@jamesfern - just curious... did you ever find a solution to this problem? I am experiencing the exact same issue.

[GuyAdams]

I have the same issue also when trying to use HPE Windows Server 2022 ROK. The problem is the Intel VROC drivers aren't included with HPE installation media so once the system boots it doesn't have a storage controller driver. 

You need to download the relevant Intel VROC driver for your setup from here: Downloading Intel VROC drivers and tools | Intel Virtual RAID on CPU for HPE Gen10 Plus User Guide, Microsoft Windows edition

Then run the .exe on a working machine, extract the drivers to a flash drive, press the F6 during the booting of your operating system installer. 

Alternatively, you can extract the drivers as above, then slipstream them into the installation ISO using a tool like NTlite.

Many thanks, 

[Utilicom]

Hi,

I’m pleased to report a successful resolution after a challenging two-hour endeavor with various RAID driver versions. The solution was found with an HPE-provided driver, following these critical steps:

• Initially, I updated to the latest BIOS firmware.
• I then reset the BIOS settings to their defaults.
• Subsequently, I reverted the storage controller to Intel VROC mode, which had defaulted to SATA AHCI mode post-reset.
• Finally, I booted from the OS media and proceeded to load the RAID driver.

I hope this information proves useful to anyone facing similar issues.

[Sunitha_Mod]

Hello @Utilicom,

That's awesome! 

We appreciate you for sharing the solution and we hope this helps the other users in the Community. 

[jamesmfern]

This still hasn't been resolved by HP, however I found a workaround:

The hard drives (supplied by HP with the Server) were HDD magnetic media drives, and it appears that none of the drivers 'supplied' (hidden on this website) could work with them.

Having banged my head against this wall for 9 months (f**king useless HPE so called 'support') I finally tried replacing the drives with SSD drives. Then I set up the RAID array again, and finally installed Windows Server and the Intel VROC drivers 'supplied' by HPE worked!

No thanks to HP, thanks to the support community of users. It is disingenuous for a HPE employee to congratulate anyone on finding a solution to this problem, as if pretending they work for a company that actually cares about its customers.

Finally, the HP re-seller on th ground says that they won't refund the cost of the HDD hard drives as they have now been 'used'.

What a terrible experience of HP.

[TQ12]

Who sold you HDDs when you want to use VROC which is made for use with NVMe drives only!? o.O

But I agree: HPE support is widely mediocre.

Cheers

[fili2]

@TQ12 quindi posso usare dischi SSD? volevo creare un raid 1 e installare esxi, ma vengono visti sempre due storage separati. ci sto perdendo la testa da 2 settimane.. grazie

Google Translated:

so can i use ssd disks? i wanted to create a raid 1 and install esxi, but they always see two separate storages. i've been losing my mind for 2 weeks.. thanks

[TQ12]

@fili2 
If you want to install ESXi, I would personally install one of the following two solutions:
1. HPE NS204i-p x2 Lanes NVMe PCIe 3 x8 OS Boot Device (P12965-B21)
2. Western Digital WD_BLACK AN1500 1TB (WDS100T1X0L-00AUJ0)

Both options are RAID1 NVMe SSD.
Both options do the same job.
Option 1 is fully supported by VMware (Broadcom).
If that doesn't matter, then you can also use something like option 2.
This WD disk is just an example, there are also other manufacturers. Here you sometimes have to try it out.

Cheers