FreeNAS using HBA and External storage

[Matt Funk]

Hey guys, sorry if this is a repeat question but I wanted to make 100% sure I have this correct since I am extremely new to FreeNAS. I have a client with a server that has an HBA card connecting an outside enclosure. I am going to be converting this server into a storage device to store backups of their domain. If I understand correctly I can use this hardware as long as I am not setting up any sort of hardware RAID. If I have the HBA card purely as a means to connect to the drives in the external enclosure and allow FreeNAS to handle the RAID configuration I should be able to use this, correct? I'm trying to work within the hardware they have currently and this appears to be my best option. Thanks for your help

 

[Ericloewe]

Right.

What hardware are we talking about specifically?

 

[Matt Funk]

server has a S5000VSA motherboard and an LSI 9750-4i HBA connecting an external 12 bay enclosure. I can give more specifics if needed

 

[HoneyBadger]

Quick Googling shows that card filed under the "RAID controller" section of LSI's website. Has it been confirmed to have passthrough/JBOD mode?

 

[Matt Funk]

It only has RAID 0 capability, cannot do 1, 5, 10, etc.

I will confirm there is a passthrough option

 

[Ericloewe]

LSI SAS 2108... Probably won't do proper pass-through.

You might be able to offload it and get an HBA (the SAS 9750 is not an HBA) for little to no cash (even make a profit, if you're lucky).

 

[Matt Funk]

Well Speccy failed me. The actual model is a SAS9200-8E per the RAID interface

 

[HoneyBadger]

Well Speccy failed me. The actual model is a SAS9200-8E per the RAID interface

Now that's better; LSI SAS2008 chipset. No problems using that one.