Another M1015 thread

[IceBoosteR]

Hello guys,

I have ordered a IBM M1015 for my FreeNAS build. The company I have ordered this card offers me to flash the HBA direct to IT mode, so I have asked them to do this. Today the adapter founds the way to by testbench. It is flashed to IT-mode, adapter is called SAS9211-8i with NVDATA Version of 14.01.00.08 and MPT Firmware Revision of 20.00.04.00-IT. So far, so good. So I have read a lot on the internet and some people seems to have problems with the 20.x4 firmware, and there is an update to 20.00.07.00-IT available somewhere.
So my first question: Is this mandatory to run in FreeNAS?
How could I see those performance issues?
Wehere do I finde the 20.x7 firmware? The avago/broadcom site does not list 9211-8i any more. I could find 9217-8i where some firmware can be found: https://www.broadcom.com/products/storage/host-bus-adapters/sas-9217-8i#downloads
Is this correct, or do someone have a link where I get the latest firmware?

Thanks,
Ice

Edit: I have made a speedtest with AS SSD benchmark (attached). Seems to be a little bit to slow, as 500/550MB/s should be reached. Also Samsunbg Magican cannot reconize the drive, as it is attached per SCSI. But this is ok i think.
Edit 2:
Connected via SATA. Same speed results so all is fine. Latest firmware for SSD checked -> fine.
Now back 2 the initial question :)

 

[nightshade00013]

The FreeNAS driver version should be the same version as what the firmware on the controller is.

I believe that FreeNAS is on P20. The driver and firmware are released in pairs to work together correctly. You can technically run them mismatched but it's not a great idea.

The link you are posting isn't exactly correct, it may be similar but it is actually the 9217-8i so try this one. Scroll to the bottom and you will see the p 20.00.07.00, it says msdos/windows as that one has the DOS files to load it but the actual firmware will work no matter what installer you use. The ones above the very bottom are just the installers and not the actual firmware files.

https://www.broadcom.com/support/do...+9211-8i+Host+Bus+Adapter&po=&pa=Firmware&dk=

 

[IceBoosteR]

The FreeNAS driver version should be the same version as what the firmware on the controller is.

I believe that FreeNAS is on P20. The driver and firmware are released in pairs to work together correctly. You can technically run them mismatched but it's not a great idea.

The link you are posting isn't exactly correct, it may be similar but it is actually the 9217-8i so try this one. Scroll to the bottom and you will see the p 20.00.07.00, it says msdos/windows as that one has the DOS files to load it but the actual firmware will work no matter what installer you use. The ones above the very bottom are just the installers and not the actual firmware files.

https://www.broadcom.com/support/do...+9211-8i+Host+Bus+Adapter&po=&pa=Firmware&dk=

Hi,

thank you for the link. I was not able to find this, so I have chosen the latest I could find which was the 9217-8i...
Okey well, you think I should upgrade to 20.00.07.00, and do not use 20.00.04.00?
I have flashed a Dell H310 in the past, so I am sure I can also handle this, but I dont want to do steps I dont need to do.
I have read in the internet, when there is a IT firmware already installed, I do not need to wipe the BIOS, I can start flashing with the newer firmware. Is that correct?
Thanks :)

 

[Ericloewe]

Okey well, you think I should upgrade to 20.00.07.00

Yes.

 

[Stux]

It’s not hard to update to 20.0.7.0 once the initial shenigans to cross-flash have been taken care of.

Should just be able to use sas2flash under FreeNAS with the new firmware

 

[Ericloewe]

Don't run it with the pool mounted, though.

 

[BigDave]

Don't run it with the pool mounted, though.

My caution goes even further, as I unplug the SAS cables from the card I'm going to flash/update.

Of course I also take off my shoes & socks and cross my toes :D (paranoid is my middle name)

 

[Johnnie Black]

Don't run it with the pool mounted, though.

Didn't know that when I updated mine, no issues though after doing it.

 

[IceBoosteR]

Ok guys, I got the error "failed to initialze PAL. Exiting Program"
Do you have any link for a .efi version of SAS2FLSH? I think this is the problem cause here.
And of cause, I have a pc, only for testing, where no FreeNAS is installed and everything should be safe af ;)

I thinkl I found it here:
https://www.broadcom.com/support/kn...44/flashing-firmware-and-bios-on-lsi-sas-hbas
Hopefully this is correct.

 

[IceBoosteR]

Ok I have now updates successfully on 20.00.07.00.
Thnak you all for your help.
I needed to make a bootable UEFI version with rufus to do this.
Maybe someone need help, follow this link: https://wiki.hackspherelabs.com/index.php?title=LSI_Raid_Firmware_Bios_Flashing
and
https://techmattr.wordpress.com/201...-flashing-to-it-mode-dell-perc-h200-and-h310/
I have also disabled BIOS & OS boot completely, because no disk will boot from the controller. So the controller has the "disabled" state I suggest.
Speed looks nearly the same.

cheers
Ice