IBM M5015 experiences

[mobilenvidia]

I'm using IBM Firmware 12.12.0-0126 (latest) then I've manually updated to the newer BIOS from LSI firmware (12.12.0-0124)

Currently use the driver that comes with Win8 when it detects the card, don't update to latest LSI Win8 driver as it's broken.
Thats really about it.

 

[alexwill22]

Thanks for the info! Does the newer IBM firmware have the spin down feature like I read in the earlier post with the Fujitsu firmware?

 

[mobilenvidia]

No the only Firmware that I have come across that spindown active drives is 12.12.0-0047 and 0048 (IBM and LSI/Oracle)
These are older Firmware, but the M5015 doesn't support SSD caching or Cachecade so you could revert back to those Firmware and save power.

 

[odditory]

Anyone confirm if the M501x requires a BBU to enable Write Back (caching)? Want to get one of these cards just for JBOD/experimentation.

 

[mobilenvidia]

i did have the battery off a while back, but can't for the life of me remember if it does Write back or not
Should do, but...

You want me to take the BBU off don't you and check

 

[mobilenvidia]

Battery off
Used same drive as in other single RAID0 data loss tests in other post

Removed previous Foreign Config that M5015 found on this drive.
Setup simple single RAID0 array on drive
Default was write back back with BBU
Looking at RAID0 array properties, drive was set to Write Through
Set drive to 'Always Write Back'
Looking at RAID0 array properties, drive was set to Write back.

Checking write back with BBU again, get warning, will go to Write through mode if, no battery or battery bad

So yes, no BBU, Array set to always write back = Write back


On a side note, I was able to set in the NVDATA, JBOD = enable
But this doesn't work (as I thought), the tab shows in MSM but gives an error.
Would have been nice to have this but single RAID0 seems to work just as well.

 

[alexwill22]

No the only Firmware that I have come across that spindown active drives is 12.12.0-0047 and 0048 (IBM and LSI/Oracle)
These are older Firmware, but the M5015 doesn't support SSD caching or Cachecade so you could revert back to those Firmware and save power.

So, the newer IBM firmware removed the spindown feature? What are the advantages of the newer firmware if they don't have SSD caching or Cachecade support?

 

[mobilenvidia]

Bug fixes.

If you don't have or want Cachecade or Fastpath but you like Active spindown use FW 0047 or 0048
The FW works fine also used by Oracle/SUN adaptors

 

[alexwill22]

Thanks for the info. I think I am going to order the ServeRAID M5000 Series Performance Accelerator Key and go from there. Thanks for the help!

 

[mobilenvidia]

Let us know what the key is worth, I've not come across any that cost less than the actual controller. (IBM)
Intel keys are cheaper but only work on Intel controllers (I have one)

Be warned, not cheap !!
L331 at Amazon

 

[alexwill22]

I see what you mean. The cheapest I seen it so far was at this U.S. site IBM ACCELERATOR KEY

I only paid $240 for the card new. I will have to think about it.

Do you use a dedicated SSD for the Cachecade feature? What is required, besides the key?

 

[mobilenvidia]

Cachecade on the SAS2108 can use up to 512GB of SSD's.

I'm using 2x in RAID0 with my LSI9261, you could use just 1x SSD or more for faster caching.
You can't use the SSD's for anything else, the Array is not visible to the outside world.

Fastpath uses the SSD to cache and you can use it for other things too.
Not quite sure how it caches to SSD's this way, or how it does it, it must surely reserve space for it.
Or uses them for temporary storage only

 

[alexwill22]

Cool, I really need to think about this. My parts are being delayed because the freaking hurricane earlier this week in the US, so I most likely won't start my build until next week.

 

[alexwill22]

I'm using IBM Firmware 12.12.0-0126 (latest) then I've manually updated to the newer BIOS from LSI firmware (12.12.0-0124)

How did you manually updated to the newer bios from the LSI firmware to your M5015 card? I have the 12.12.0-0126 firmware installed and the sbr set to 9260.

 

[mobilenvidia]

I extracted the BIOS manually from the FW package 12.12.0-0124 then just flashed it as in my other post lower down

 

[mobilenvidia]

Added BIOS v3.25, follow link in first post

Use Megarec or MegaCli or MSM to update the BIOS (as normal flash), it will only update the BIOS nothing else

 

[alexwill22]

thanks I will give it a try

 

[alexwill22]

That worked just fine

Now waiting for my BBU to fully charge....

Thanks!

 

[Hitman]

Added BIOS v3.25, follow link in first post

Use Megarec or MegaCli or MSM to update the BIOS (as normal flash), it will only update the BIOS nothing else

Whats the actual file name for this part firmware with bios v3.25, please?

 

[mobilenvidia]

http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/topic/29166-sas2108-lsi-9260-based-firmware-files/
Bottom of first post is link

File is 0124_bio.rom (BIOS from 12.12.0-0124)
I'll probably include it in the Firmware update package and rename it