Skip to main content

I would like to attempt PCIe passthrough of a QLogic 2662 Fiber HBA to my Windows Server 2025 Nutanix Virtual Machine so that the device shows up in device manager, but I am unable to find clear documentation on PCIe passthrough.

I would like to attempt PCIe passthrough of a QLogic 2662 Fiber HBA to my Windows Server 2025 Nutanix Virtual Machine so that the device shows up in device manager, but I am unable to find clear documentation on PCIe passthrough.

This is the information I could find on the Nutanix Portal related to the QLogic HBA for iscsi if that’s what you are trying to use it for.
https://portal.nutanix.com/page/documents/details?targetId=Volumes-Guide%3Avol-volumes-boot-hba-iscsi-t.html
 

I found this community edition guide which might be what you are looking for:

https://polarclouds.co.uk/nutanix-community-edition-hba-passthrough/

 

Let me know if that is what you are looking for.


I would like to attempt PCIe passthrough of a QLogic 2662 Fiber HBA to my Windows Server 2025 Nutanix Virtual Machine so that the device shows up in device manager, but I am unable to find clear documentation on PCIe passthrough.

This is the information I could find on the Nutanix Portal related to the QLogic HBA for iscsi if that’s what you are trying to use it for.
https://portal.nutanix.com/page/documents/details?targetId=Volumes-Guide%3Avol-volumes-boot-hba-iscsi-t.html
 

I found this community edition guide which might be what you are looking for:

https://polarclouds.co.uk/nutanix-community-edition-hba-passthrough/

 

Let me know if that is what you are looking for.

@jarrodl Thank you but unfortunately I attempted this method and I don't think it will work for my purpose.
From my understanding, the provided guide contains instructions for configuring fiber attached storage.
The goal is not to use the QLogic for iscsi storage, I just need the QLogic HBA passed through to my VM.

For context, I am testing the functionality of a tape emulation software that uses a custom Windows driver on QLogic 16Gb Fiber HBA(s) that allows them to emulate a tape connection when cabled to an I-Series.
For this, I just need the QLogic HBA Ports to show up as QLogic Fiber Channel Adapter(s) in Storage Controllers (in device manager) under my Windows VM in Nutanix. (The same as they would when installed in a physical server)
Then I can take care of applying our driver and testing our software.
Do you happen to know of a guide for CE with instructions for full passthrough of PCIe installed hardware?


I would like to attempt PCIe passthrough of a QLogic 2662 Fiber HBA to my Windows Server 2025 Nutanix Virtual Machine so that the device shows up in device manager, but I am unable to find clear documentation on PCIe passthrough.

This is the information I could find on the Nutanix Portal related to the QLogic HBA for iscsi if that’s what you are trying to use it for.
https://portal.nutanix.com/page/documents/details?targetId=Volumes-Guide%3Avol-volumes-boot-hba-iscsi-t.html
 

I found this community edition guide which might be what you are looking for:

https://polarclouds.co.uk/nutanix-community-edition-hba-passthrough/

 

Let me know if that is what you are looking for.

@jarrodl Thank you but unfortunately I attempted this method and I don't think it will work for my purpose.
From my understanding, the provided guide contains instructions for configuring fiber attached storage.
The goal is not to use the QLogic for iscsi storage, I just need the QLogic HBA passed through to my VM.

For context, I am testing the functionality of a tape emulation software that uses a custom Windows driver on QLogic 16Gb Fiber HBA(s) that allows them to emulate a tape connection when cabled to an I-Series.
For this, I just need the QLogic HBA Ports to show up as QLogic Fiber Channel Adapter(s) in Storage Controllers (in device manager) under my Windows VM in Nutanix. (The same as they would when installed in a physical server)
Then I can take care of applying our driver and testing our software.
Do you happen to know of a guide for CE with instructions for full passthrough of PCIe installed hardware?

I have not seen this before but I am very interested in the outcome.

Unfortunately I may not be much help here. I tried to find some additional article online but none for this specific usecase.


I would like to attempt PCIe passthrough of a QLogic 2662 Fiber HBA to my Windows Server 2025 Nutanix Virtual Machine so that the device shows up in device manager, but I am unable to find clear documentation on PCIe passthrough.

This is the information I could find on the Nutanix Portal related to the QLogic HBA for iscsi if that’s what you are trying to use it for.
https://portal.nutanix.com/page/documents/details?targetId=Volumes-Guide%3Avol-volumes-boot-hba-iscsi-t.html
 

I found this community edition guide which might be what you are looking for:

https://polarclouds.co.uk/nutanix-community-edition-hba-passthrough/

 

Let me know if that is what you are looking for.

@jarrodl Thank you but unfortunately I attempted this method and I don't think it will work for my purpose.
From my understanding, the provided guide contains instructions for configuring fiber attached storage.
The goal is not to use the QLogic for iscsi storage, I just need the QLogic HBA passed through to my VM.

For context, I am testing the functionality of a tape emulation software that uses a custom Windows driver on QLogic 16Gb Fiber HBA(s) that allows them to emulate a tape connection when cabled to an I-Series.
For this, I just need the QLogic HBA Ports to show up as QLogic Fiber Channel Adapter(s) in Storage Controllers (in device manager) under my Windows VM in Nutanix. (The same as they would when installed in a physical server)
Then I can take care of applying our driver and testing our software.
Do you happen to know of a guide for CE with instructions for full passthrough of PCIe installed hardware?

I have not seen this before but I am very interested in the outcome.

Unfortunately I may not be much help here. I tried to find some additional article online but none for this specific usecase.

@jarrodl Are there instructions for just generic PCIe Passthrough on Community Edition? I should be able to achieve my goal if I can get the card passed through the the VM like any other PCIe device.


I am not sure if this would work. but you can pass a disk through external using the acli: 

Look at the Attaches a new disk drive to a VM section, 

🔗 https://portal.nutanix.com/page/documents/details?targetId=Command-Ref-AOS-v7_3:acl-acli-vm-auto-r.html  

 

These configuration parameters might be able to achieve that: [passthru_from_external_url="passthru_from_external_url" ] [scsi_passthru="{ true | false }" ]