Ultimately, using PCI passthru will always work better if available, but…
esxcli storage nmp device list
naa.500110a00152f5ba
Device Display Name: HP Serial Attached SCSI Tape (naa.500110a00152f5ba)
Storage Array Type: VMW_SATP_ALUA
Storage Array Type Device Config: {implicit_support=on; explicit_support=off; explicit_allow=on; alua_followover=on; action_OnRetryErrors=on; {TPG_id=0,TPG_state=AO}}
Path Selection Policy: VMW_PSP_MRU
Path Selection Policy Device Config: Current Path=vmhba3:C2:T0:L0
Path Selection Policy Device Custom Config:
Working Paths: vmhba3:C2:T0:L0
Is USB: false
esxcli storage nmp satp list
esxcli storage nmp satp rule add -s VMW_SATP_LOCAL -V "HP" -M "Ultrium 5-SCSI"
esxcli storage core claiming unclaim -t location -A vmhba3 -C 2 -T 0 -L 0 <<< Must match your HBA
esxcfg-rescan vmhba3 <<< Must match HBA
esxcli storage nmp device list
naa.600508b1001cac88dec8ea77b73b7083
Device Display Name: Local HP Disk (naa.600508b1001cac88dec8ea77b73b7083)
Storage Array Type: VMW_SATP_LOCAL
Storage Array Type Device Config: SATP VMW_SATP_LOCAL does not support device configuration.
Path Selection Policy: VMW_PSP_FIXED
Path Selection Policy Device Config: {preferred=vmhba4:C0:T0:L6;current=vmhba4:C0:T0:L6}
Path Selection Policy Device Custom Config:
Working Paths: vmhba4:C0:T0:L6
Is USB: false
Reboot ESX
References:
ESXi 5, HP P212 and LTO 5 tape drive goes offline
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1026157
