When you boot the ESXi host from SAN using software FCoE, certain requirements and considerations apply.

Requirements

  • Use ESXi of a compatible version.
  • The network adapter must have the following capabilities:
    • Be FCoE capable.
    • Support ESXi open FCoE stack.
    • Contain FCoE boot firmware which can export boot information in FBFT format or FBPT format.

Considerations

  • You cannot change software FCoE boot configuration from within ESXi.
  • Coredump is not supported on any software FCoE LUNs, including the boot LUN.
  • Multipathing is not supported at pre-boot.
  • Boot LUN cannot be shared with other hosts even on shared storage. Make sure that the host has access to the entire boot LUN.