ali,
would you be able to provide guidance for option #b with VMware esxi? specifically known to work HCA/mainboard combo's, and which (if any) /etc/VMware/passthrough.map variables may need to be used beyond defaults?
I have a lab, and I have been (unsuccessfully) trying to use option #b for some time. In my attempts to get this to work, I have acquired a number of different cards, and I have tried them across a number of different mainboards in every configuration I can imagine. the mainboards do work with option #b for other hardware devices, but with the mellanox products they will all cause a windows VM which the devices was passed through-to crash/reboot upon driver install.
Cards I have (all latest firmware):MCX354A-FCBT, MHQH29B-XTR Rev X1, MHQH29B-XTR Rev A2, MHQH29B-XTR (HP Rebadge).
Mainboards currently at my disposal: Supermicro X9SRL-F, TYAN S5510 (S5510GM3NR), (I have tried a couple others too).
thank you.