LSI RAID Controller - HBA Equivalency Mapping

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futures

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Jul 19, 2011
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Newbie here. Scored a good deal on an Intel RS2SG244. As stated by the OP, it is a rebadged LSI MegaRAID SAS 9280-24i4e. The LSI 3ware SAS 9750-24i4e also looks like the same card - with the benefit of Mac OSX support. Would love to test cross flashing the card between these lines and would greatly appreciate suggestions.

Tried running the LSI 9280-24i4e firmware upgrade using the standard MegaCli64 in Windows but it detects the Intel vendor information. Card flashes but it is still an Intel RS2SG244.

I've read posts from various sites regarding "sas2flash" and "sasflash" but they appear to be for a different gen of cards. Can only locate firmware for the cards on the respective vendor sites (Intel and LSI), I haven't seen any secondary or tertiary BIOS / FW.

Goal is to first try to cross flash to the LSI 9280 counterpart and then ultimately to try the 3Ware 9750 to test OSX compatibility. Thanks in advance.
 

vv111y

Member
May 6, 2011
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Niagara Falls, Canada
Flashing 9211-8i card on Supermicro X9SCM

Similar to Patrick's guide http://www.servethehome.com/howto-flash-supermicro-x8si6f-lsi-sas-2008-controller-lsi-firmware/

But:
- use sas2flash.efi found in the UEFI firmware upgrade zip file. right now that's here
- get 2118it.bin & mptsas2.rom as per guide, currently here
- boot up in EFI command line mode. that's setup in the boot menu in the BIOS.
- Once in EFI mode, before you can update firmware, you need to delete the IR firmware.
sas2flash.efi -o -e 6
- DON'T REBOOT (will fry card). Then run command
sas2flash.efi -o -f 2118it.bin -b mptsas2.rom
- for a boot usb stick, lsi recommends this. didn't work on vista, it needs xp or 2003. Then put the files on the stick.

knowledgebase pages:
link1
link2
 

futures

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Jul 19, 2011
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Intel RS2SG244 - LSI MegaRAID SAS 9280-24i4e

After more research and a little more testing. It seems as if the Intel RS2SG244 variant of the LSI 9280-24i4e, at least currently, appears to have the exact same functionality, down to what appears to be identical "Advanced Options" sets and BBU selections. All options and batteries rebranded for Intel.

The options and batteries look the same and appear pin compatible. I have no means to confirm that they can work between brands.

What I can confirm is:

1. LSI 9280-24i4e firmware rom file appears to be twice the size of Intel's rebrand.

2. Firmware on LSI's website is currently newer than what's available on Intel.

3. I was able to update the Intel card with the LSI firmware using the regular vendor supplied tools and instructions. However, the Intel branding remains.


Will probably avoid full cross flashing attempts for the following two reasons:

1. Both cards appear to function exactly the same. The LSI 3Ware 9750-24i4e variant has the benefit of Mac OSX driver support but it really isn't necessary for me - only nice to try out.

2. These line of cards have modular / optional features that some or all are available via hardware dongle or an option code-key. RAID 5 and RAID 6 is as listed as a feature set within Advanced Option (unlimited). Chances are its hardware coded but don't want to risk in case the feature is provisioned via firmware.
 

mobilenvidia

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Sep 25, 2011
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Just bought a Dell H200 of ebay, looking forward to playing with it.
Got a couple of OCZ Solid 3 SSD's, My Asrock p55 onboard Marvell 9128 controller = crap (180MB/s), the ICH10R (SATA2) = not too bad (550MB/s), but I want more, I should be able to approach 1GB/s in RAID 0

BTW the Dell H200 looks exactly like a 9240-8i not the 9211-8i as in first post, I'll be happy with either though.
I'll do some testing with LSI FW if it will allow me.
 

mobilenvidia

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Sep 25, 2011
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There is a distinct lack of H200's here, I'm I the first ?

Anything I should definitely avoid to instantly turn the card into a paper weight
It's coming from the UK all the way to NZ, hate for it to turn pear shaped after the distance travelled.
 

Patrick

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Dec 21, 2010
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I don't think you are the first, but in the US we have a lot of inexpensive LSI cards and Intel/ IBM rebrands.
 

mobilenvidia

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Sep 25, 2011
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OK, Sovking has one a page or two back.
He's flashed his to a 9211-8i

This could be interesting, as the card looks exactly like a 9240 but could be a 9211
I'll do some more Googling

[UPDATE]
Dell Perc H200 looks like a LSI 9240-8i
But looking at Dell FW for this card it looks to be a 9211-8i (<1MB FW)
All very odd, unless it's a 9240 flashed to a 9211
But then again there is alsoa Dell H200 with 2x4 external SAS ports.

[UPDATE II]
Lots of Googling, I'm pretty sure that the H200 is a 9211 that looks like a 9240

I've modified the Dell H200 latest BIOS installer to install the latest LSI 9211 Firmware, Option ROM (IR) and EFI
It should detect the Dell card then flash it to a LSI version (all going well)
All I need now is the actual card to try it on.

Learning curve steep but kept me off the streets and the world is safer place :)
 
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mobilenvidia

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Sep 25, 2011
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Thought an update to the first post could be in order especially for Intel boards
All products available on Ebay, where the RS25GB008 (9285-8e) is probably best bang for buck if you can run the HDD cables back in the case

SAS2008
Intel® RAID Controller RS2WC040 - LSI 9240-4i

SAS2108
Intel® RAID Controller RT3WB080 - looks a bit like a 9265-8i but SAS2108 based SATA controller with 256MB Cache.
Intel® RAID Controller RS2WG160 - LSI 9260-16i ?
Intel® RAID Controller RS2PI008DE - SAS version of the RT3WB080 but with 512MB cache and Disk encryption and 8e ports
Intel® RAID Controller RS2PI008 - SAS version of the RT3WB080 but with 512MB cache and 8e ports
Intel® RAID Controller RS2BL040 - SAS version of the RT3WB080 but with 512MB cache and 4i ports

SAS2208
Intel® RAID Controller RS25GB008 - LSI9285-8e
Intel® RAID Controller RS25DB080 - LSI9265-8i
 
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Patrick

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Thought an update to the first post could be in order especially for Intel boards
All products available on Ebay, where the RS25GB008 (9285-8e) is probably best bang for buck if you can run the HDD cables back in the case

SAS2008
Intel® RAID Controller RS2WC040 - LSI 9240-4i

SAS2108
Intel® RAID Controller RT3WB080 - looks a bit like a 9265-8i but SAS2108 based SATA controller with 256MB Cache.
Intel® RAID Controller RS2WG160 - LSI 9260-16i ?
Intel® RAID Controller RS2PI008DE - SAS version of the RT3WB080 but with 512MB cache and Disk encryption and 8e ports
Intel® RAID Controller RS2PI008 - SAS version of the RT3WB080 but with 512MB cache and 8e ports
Intel® RAID Controller RS2BL040 - SAS version of the RT3WB080 but with 512MB cache and 4i ports

SAS2208
Intel® RAID Controller RS25GB008 - LSI9285-8e
Intel® RAID Controller RS25DB080 - LSI9265-8i
Thanks! I did a quick add of these. Will work on formatting later.
 

mobilenvidia

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Sep 25, 2011
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Motherboards with LSISAS 2x08 Chipsets:

SAS2008
Supermicro X8DTH-6F
Supermicro X8DA6-O
Supermicro X8DT6-F
Supermicro X8SI6-F
Tyan S8010WGM2NR

SAS2108
SuperMicro X8DTU-6F
 
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mobilenvidia

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SAS2008 (Proprietary PCIe 4x)
Intel RMS2AF040 Integrated RAID Module odd ball looking controller, says PCIe 4x slot but I can't see it's connectors, they are on Ebay, also says 4x SAS connectors
Intel RMS2AF080 As above but 8 port
 
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mobilenvidia

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Good homework, you move to front of class :)
The connector would work well in a Laptop.

Only saw it in the PCI_ID list in other thread

Post updated
 

Patrick

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Updated the first page. I don't think I'm going to add proprietary format cards that cannot fit in a normal PCIe slot (will keep Supermicro UIO cards since you can bracket flip). Will think about it though.
 

mobilenvidia

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Another difference between IBM M5015 and M5014 I just noticed.

M5015 has BBU as standard
M5014 NO BBU (hence me seeing the lack of RAM)

M5025 also seems to come with BBU.

In an upteen thousand dollar server BBU is really a must.
 
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Tyrant82

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Oct 11, 2011
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Another difference between IBM M5015 and M5014 I just noticed.

M5015 has BBU as standard
M5014 NO BBU (hence me seeing the lack of RAM)
Hello, long time reader here and now registered to share some thoughts about the IBM cards.

I noted some differences between the IBM 5014, 5015 rebranded from LSI 9260-8i.

Both the M5014 and M5015 lacks in term of Raid 6/60 support. If you need those you have to buy an ServeRAID M5000 Series Advanced Feature Key (Product Nr.46M0930)
So i checked Newegg (seems to be THE hardware reseller overseas, i live in austria) and the M5015 costs nearly 700 USD without that Advanced Key, then i checked my local (austria, germany) price search engine and it only costs like 300eur available.... http://geizhals.at/515798. Then i wanted to search how much the M5000 Advanced Key costs and thats nearly like 140eur to 200eur.

So for europeans who dont need raid 6 support, its a great and affordable nearly newest generation SAS RAID Controllers.

Just wanted to share my thoughts =)

Quick Edit : grammar :(
 
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