Sata controler 6x 4to

ecurgot

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Hi
i want to build a freenas server with my dell poweredge T410.
I don't know what's the maximum capacity authorized on the onboard sata ports. I want to build a 6x4to but I can't find any information on the onboard chip.

If onboard ports does not work with 6x4to, I wanted to put a 6 port sata controller card in PCI-e
I understood that a marvel 88SE9215 could be a good solution. Is it right ?
such like that : https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/33016481933.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.76683c00ffUgyL&mp=1
I'm not pretty sure, but it seems that this chip can only use 4 ports on the 6.

What is your advice ?
- this card with 6x4to will be fine ?
- Use the same card in 4 ports version, and put a second one with 4 other ports ?

I'm confused.

Thanks.
 

sretalla

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This forum doesn’t have a good history with Marvell controllers. Don’t get that one.

You should use an LSI HBA as suggested in the hardware recommendations/resources section of this forum. These usually support 8 disks as a starting point but can connect more through an expander.
 

ecurgot

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Thanks for your quick reply sretalla

Due to imperfect translation, could you link me a LSI HBA exemple on amazon, with 6 sata ports usable simultanously ?
Thank you, that will help me to undesrtant what is exactly this kind of card.

Vic.
 

sretalla

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It’s an old link, but this is the kind of card you are looking for.

 

ecurgot

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Thanks !

Do you think all these cards are ok ? :
- card 1 (fistjutsu not LSI, but same chip LSI 9211-8I M1015) @25$
- card2 (LSI 9200-8i SAS2008) @30$

Or is it usefull to put 2 x cards 4ports on 2 pci-e ? Freenas will see the 8 drives correctly and will make same raid as in a single 8ports card ?

Thank you !
 

sretalla

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- card2 (LSI 9200-8i SAS2008) @30$
This is the best option. Don't forget that you will need the breakout cables to give 8 SATA connections.

The other options you propose will also work, but perhaps not as simply and with no real benefit for the complication.

maybe should i get this LSI 9210 and flash it for IT mode ?
The included cables look like they may not be in the best condition, but otherwise it's the number 2 best option. Make sure to flash it into IT mode if you do get it.
 

ecurgot

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This is the best option. Don't forget that you will need the breakout cables to give 8 SATA connections.
You mean 2x minisas sff8087 to 4 sata ?

at this time, my T410 got a front backplane with 6 rackable 3.5 hd. Do you think it is better to use 2 minisas from LSI 9200 directly to 8 sata port, or should i use a minisas to minisas to use the bottom of the backplane to the LSI9200?

Thanks again, your help is really appreciated

vic
 

sretalla

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Using the backplane is probably fine. I hadn't checked that for your hardware so didn't suggest it.
 

ecurgot

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This is the back of my backplane.
I can imagine to unplug both minisas that are at this time connected to my perc 6i, and just plug to the new LSI9200 with 2 minisas to minisas. Do you think it is right ?
 

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sretalla

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unplug both minisas that are at this time connected to my perc 6i, and just plug to the new LSI9200 with 2 minisas to minisas. Do you think it is right ?


Sounds like it’s the right plan.
 

ecurgot

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Nice ! I'll try it and will come back to you with my results.
A last thing, are we certain that this controler can use his 8 sata port simultanously with a 4to on each ?
 

sretalla

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The controller is capable of hundreds of disks. With a breakout cable you can get 4 disks per port, but with a backplane or expander card you can go as high as the backplane or expander allows. You can certainly run 8 disks on it.
 

ecurgot

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With no maximum capacity defined ? My perc 6i was limited to 2to/disk so I want to be sure that 4to will be accepted
 

sretalla

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With the latest firmware (anything in the last 5 years) more than 4TB is fine for those cards.
 

ecurgot

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Fine !
I got one more question plz Sretalla, a friend of mine wants to give me 2 cards ...
a PERC H310 and a PERC H200E

The one I choosen (LSI 92xx) is better or should I change for a H310 or H200E ?
 

sretalla

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The one I choosen (LSI 92xx) is better or should I change for a H310 or H200E ?
I have seen comments in this forum indicating that PERC isn't a good match for FreeNAS.

I have no personal experience with PERC controllers so can't recommend one.

LSI is known to work well.
 
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