HP ML350p Gen8 + AMD FirePro W7000 + VMware Horizon 5.3 = vSGA. Possible?


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Hello,

 

I have a HP ML350p Gen8, and would like to install an AMD FirePro W7000 into it to enable vSGA in VMware Horizon View 5.3. This is for a very small setup, a small business of 5 users.

 

- Reading the HCL on VMware's website, the W7000 is supported and certified to work with their software - ESXi 5.5 - ESXi 5.5 U2 and Horizon View 5.3.

 

- Reading AMD's website, all the FirePro's that are certified to work with VMware Horizon 5.3, are only 'supported' in Dell R720 or HP WS460c (Blade).

 

Has anyone had one of the FirePro series work with vSGA in a server other than the two 'supported' models? If so, how about a ML350p Gen8?

 

I am a bit confused by the term 'supported' as this could mean that either it actually works in only these servers, or that the technical support only covers when the card is intalled in these servers (but it works in others).

 

 

I hope that I can use this card. The reason I have chosen the W7000 over the S7000 is that it is actively cooled, rather than being passively cooled.

 

 

 

My other thought/question was: On a HP ML350p Gen8, can you choose the default graphics card in the setup utility? A requirement for vSGA is that the card to be used is NOT selected as the Primary or Default graphics card in the BIOS or EFI of the server. I have not had a chance to look at this yet, myself.

 

Kind Regards,

 

TonyJr

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I am a bit confused by the term 'supported' as this could mean that either it actually works in only these servers, or that the technical support only covers when the card is intalled in these servers (but it works in others).

 

It means it is what the VMWare and AMD engineers have tested and can support; so if you have problems with the setup they (VMware) can refuse to give you support. It also doesn't mean that it won't work per se, just they didn't tested it or it doesn't work at all.

 

If you are comfortable with that, then go for it; but since that's for a business i would say that is a very risky move, because you might be playing with fire.

 

 

 

My other thought/question was: On a HP ML350p Gen8, can you choose the default graphics card in the setup utility? A requirement for vSGA is that the card to be used is NOT selected as the Primary or Default monitor in the BIOS or EFI of the server. I have not had a chance to look at this yet, myself.

 

maybe that's why it's only supported on such few servers. Myself i don't know if that's possible in that server; again, see the above phrase (it will be out of support).

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Praetor, thank you for your helpful post. That clarifies the 'supported' term for me.

 

I have just had a chance to read the RBSU manual (LONG!) and have found that the Primary graphics card can be selected (See Page 121 of the RBSU Manual). FYI the options are:

 

? Optional Video Primary, Embedded Video Disabled (default)?System ROM disables the

embedded video controller when an optional video controller is installed in the system.

? Optional Video Primary, Embedded Video Secondary?The embedded video controller remains

enabled for iLO remote video functionality. The optional video controller is enabled as the

primary video controller and is used to show text during POST.

? Embedded Video Primary, Optional Video Secondary?The embedded video controller is

enabled as the primary controller and shows POST text as well as function for iLO remote

video functionality. The secondary controller is enabled for use under an operating system.

 

I am now a few more steps closer to making the final decision of whether or not to go ahead with installing the W7000.

 

TonyJr

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IT WORKS!

 

Well, I decided to buy the card, and it worked without changing ANY settings whatsoever. Just install the VIB, install the card and go (desktop pool was already set for automatic rendering and PCoIP). Here are some screenshots I quickly grabbed just now, showing vSGA working:

post-63221-0-66780100-1417733456.jpg

post-63221-0-49237300-1417733454.jpg

post-63221-0-73582700-1417733455.jpg

post-63221-0-61510900-1417733661.jpg

FPS capped @30.

 

I will try vDGA tomorrow and try to post some better test results.

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  • 5 months later...

oh i just saw the continuation of this thread today :|

 

i'm very glad that it word; how many VDIs can you run with that server?

 

thanks,

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  • 2 weeks later...

hi tonyjr,

because of your post I decided to buy a W7000. VDGA is working, but VSGA fails with purple screen :cry: .

I've a ESxi 5.5 u2 host and a HD6670 as the main gpu for displaying the host console. The driver was installed successfully, but gpuvm doesn't show a thing.

Only when I put the W7000 in the first  pcie slot in the server gpuvp shows my card correct, but when I try to start the vm I just get a purple screen. Have you set anything special in the bios

like memmory remap? And also has your vm some special settings like pci.hole=1024? Any help would be great (Y)

 

kind regards

Herb

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