Best Modular HBA for Dell R620

[bmoreitdan]

I'm planning to use a 10-bay Dell PowerEdge R620 for FreeNAS. This machine will provide a 10Gb iSCSI storage to a cluster of VMware hosts which (1) run VMs and (2) provide NFS shared storage.

The server came with a PERC H710p, which I understand does not allow pass-through. After some reading, it seemed to me that the PERC H310 (non-mini) is a good HBA which can be flashed with IT firmware. I also found a page where the PERC H310 Mini can be configured for non-raid.

1. Does "Non-Raid" mean pass-through? [Answer: No]
2. Can someone help me find a Dell part number for the H310 (non-mini) modular version? (that is the version which doesn't occupy a PCIe slot). [Answer: The modular version is the mini version]
3. What HBA can I use in the modular slot for this Dell R620 which can be flashed to IT Mode? [Answer: UNKNOWN STILL]

 

[Mlovelace]

I'm planning to use a 10-bay Dell PowerEdge R620 for FreeNAS. This machine will provide a 10Gb iSCSI storage to a cluster of VMware hosts which (1) run VMs and (2) provide NFS shared storage.

The server came with a PERC H710p, which I understand does not allow pass-through. After some reading, it seemed to me that the PERC H310 (non-mini) is a good HBA which can be flashed with IT firmware. I also found a page where the PERC H310 Mini can be configured for non-raid.

1. Does "Non-Raid" mean pass-through?
2. Can someone help me find a Dell part number for the H310 (non-mini) modular version? (that is the version which doesn't occupy a PCIe slot).

The non-PCIe PERC H310 is the PERC H310 SAS RAID MINI MONO CONTROLLER FOR POWEREDGE and the part number for it is K09CJ. There is not a non-mini, non-PCIe PERC H310. The PERC H310 comes in either the PCIe version or in the mini mono version, so the above 'Dell part number for the H310 (non-mini) modular version? (that is the version which doesn't occupy a PCIe slot)' is a conflicting question. However serversupply has what you're looking for, I think.

 

[kdragon75]

1. Does "Non-Raid" mean pass-through?

No, it MUST be flashed.

 

[bmoreitdan]

The non-PCIe PERC H310 is the PERC H310 SAS RAID MINI MONO CONTROLLER FOR POWEREDGE and the part number for it is K09CJ. There is not a non-mini, non-PCIe PERC H310. The PERC H310 comes in either the PCIe version or in the mini mono version, so the above 'Dell part number for the H310 (non-mini) modular version? (that is the version which doesn't occupy a PCIe slot)' is a conflicting question. However serversupply has what you're looking for, I think.

Thank you. So, can you please confirm if the P/N K09CJ is capable of pass-through and good to use for FreeNAS?

 

[kdragon75]

Thank you. So, can you please confirm if the P/N K09CJ is capable of pass-through and good to use for FreeNAS?

I don't believe it is flashable to IT mode (it just bricks it) You can search to see others discussion and experience with this topic.

 

[Mlovelace]

Thank you. So, can you please confirm if the P/N K09CJ is capable of pass-through and good to use for FreeNAS?

Is there a reason you're not wanting to use the PCIe version? The queue depth on the H310 mini mono in passthrough will be crushingly bad with ZFS. LSI's IT mode is required on these cards for several reasons.

 

[bmoreitdan]

Is there a reason you're not wanting to use the PCIe version? The queue depth on the H310 mini mono in passthrough will be crushingly bad with ZFS. LSI's IT mode is required on these cards for several reasons.

I want to utilize the modular slot if possible. This is a 1U server and I would prefer to save the PCIe slots for future use. That being said, having found agreement that the H310 Mini will not work, is there another modular card that will fit this Dell R620 which is flashable to IT mode?

 

[HoneyBadger]

I want to utilize the modular slot if possible. This is a 1U server and I would prefer to save the PCIe slots for future use. That being said, having found agreement that the H310 Mini will not work, is there another modular card that will fit this Dell R620 which is flashable to IT mode?

The Dell HBA330 Mini Mono is what you want, part number P2R3R.

It is a SAS3008 based card and should come with IT firmware in the stock mode.

I have not personally tried to flash one of these cards with LSI firmware but based on prior experiences with the "mini mono" cards, I wouldn't try it.

 

[bmoreitdan]

The Dell HBA330 Mini Mono is what you want, part number P2R3R.

It is a SAS3008 based card and should come with IT firmware in the stock mode.

I have not personally tried to flash one of these cards with LSI firmware but based on prior experiences with the "mini mono" cards, I wouldn't try it.

Thank you, very direct and much appreciated!

 

[talz13]

Just FYI, I have recently purchased a used Dell R620, with the same plans as you... I went and got a PCIe H310 off ebay, and find out that it does not appear to fit with the riser card mount. I mean, the card will fit fine, but the SAS ports are directly against the inside of the riser mount, leaving no room to plug the SAS cables in.

I did get cables with 90 degree ends on them, but they'd both be pointing the same direction, and would not be able to be plugged in next to each other, as they'd end up overalpping.

If you get any further with this, or if anyone else has suggestions, I'd be happy to hear. Right now I'm thinking of getting a SAS external to internal adapter plate and run the 2 backplane SAS cables off the external LSI 9201-16e card that I was already going to install to attach my DAS.

 

[bmoreitdan]

Update: The Dell HBA330 (P/N P2R3R) does not fit the mezz slot on the R620. The connector is very different. The board size is correct.
Here's the HBA330 connector: https://topics-cdn.dell.com/Dell_HB...-3E0D9859-6F85-42A4-A8ED-1671A3AE084F-low.jpg
Here's the H710p connector: https://www.itinstock.com/ekmps/sho...id-controller-for-dell-m620-pk2w9-44782-p.jpg

Further research shows that Dell says this card is incompatible with the R620: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/hba.../405-aajw/storage-drives-media#configurations

So, back to the drawing board. I've decided to use one of the 3 half-height PCIe slots to install an LSI 9207-8i card. I've also had to order to new min-SAS cables because the server comes with a special cable that plugs two SFF-8087 into a special motherboard connector for use only with the on-board SATA controller (limited to 4 drives at 3Gbps) or any mezz card (now which won't be used).

 

[talz13]

Update: The Dell HBA330 (P/N P2R3R) does not fit the mezz slot on the R620. The connector is very different. The board size is correct.
Here's the HBA330 connector: https://topics-cdn.dell.com/Dell_HB...-3E0D9859-6F85-42A4-A8ED-1671A3AE084F-low.jpg
Here's the H710p connector: https://www.itinstock.com/ekmps/sho...id-controller-for-dell-m620-pk2w9-44782-p.jpg

Further research shows that Dell says this card is incompatible with the R620: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/hba.../405-aajw/storage-drives-media#configurations

So, back to the drawing board. I've decided to use one of the 3 half-height PCIe slots to install an LSI 9207-8i card. I've also had to order to new min-SAS cables because the server comes with a special cable that plugs two SFF-8087 into a special motherboard connector for use only with the on-board SATA controller (limited to 4 drives at 3Gbps) or any mezz card (now which won't be used).

I believe I am going to go the tin-snips route, and investigate clipping away the riser cage to allow access to the SAS ports on the PCIe card.

 

[bmoreitdan]

I believe I am going to go the tin-snips route, and investigate clipping away the riser cage to allow access to the SAS ports on the PCIe card.

I am planning on doing the same if needed.

 

[talz13]

I am planning on doing the same if needed.

Here's my progress tonight...

1. Gathered the tools!


2. Analyzed the situation...


3. Snip snip!


4. Voila!


Not pictured is the very first step where I took a small screwdriver to remove the black plastic retention clip on this side of the cage.

I've ordered some new straight-through (not 90-degree end) 0.7m sff-8087 cables to try out, hopefully that length will be good, should be here by next Tuesday.