Looking at the thread someone will probably need to compile a driver. Some of these drivers are based on Linux source code, but use a specific compiling process and tools for ESXi.

Does anyone know if a driver package has been created for this SATA controller yet? If so, where can it be found? I think I have the same issue; I can install ESXi 5 on my white box, but when I try to install w Windows server into a new VM, no HD is listed, and I am prompted for a driver to gain access to the VM drive.

If this is not a related issue, please let me know so I can post this question in another forum. Thanks