Is it ok to use Motherboard SATA for ZFS?

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Davewolfs

Active Member
Aug 6, 2015
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For my X10SDV-TLN4F I am using an LSI 2308 IT mode controller that is taking up one of my PCI slots - works great. I’m just wondering if there is anything wrong with using the motherboards built in SATA - Intel AHCI Lynx controller. This seems like something that used to be frowned upon but I am not so sure anymore.

I wouldn’t mind freeing up the slot so that I could add some NVME devices.
 

acquacow

Well-Known Member
Feb 15, 2017
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I'm using both motherboard sata and LSI sata on the same board w/o any issues.
 

nk215

Active Member
Oct 6, 2015
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You need to add (for the board X10sdv) :

# INTEL Lynx Point AHCI
8086 8c02 d3d0 false

to /etc/vmware/passthru.map

Reboot. Then you can add the PCI Device for the AHCI controller to your FreeNAS VM. If you are running ZFS as a VM that is. If your ZFS is bare metal and there's no issue.

That's what I have in my note.
 
Last edited:

zack$

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2018
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You need to add (for the board X10sdv) :

# INTEL Lynx Point AHCI
8086 8c02 d3d0 false

to /etc/vmware/passthru.map

Reboot. Then you can add the PCI Device for the AHCI controller to your FreeNAS VM. If you are running ZFS as a VM that is. If your ZFS is bare metal and there's no issue.

That's what I have in my note.
I don't think this works with ESXI 6.7 upwards anymore.
 

Rand__

Well-Known Member
Mar 6, 2014
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Where does the OP write anything about ESXi or passthrough? ;)

So yes, SATA is fine for ZFS. Usually HBA's are recommended since
1. the install base is larger
2. you are not depending on FreeBSD PCH drivers
3. You can potentially use advanced features like localising drives
 

Davewolfs

Active Member
Aug 6, 2015
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Where does the OP write anything about ESXi or passthrough? ;)

So yes, SATA is fine for ZFS. Usually HBA's are recommended since
1. the install base is larger
2. you are not depending on FreeBSD PCH drivers
3. You can potentially use advanced features like localising drives
Could it be that only recently motherboard hardware has become relatively stable?
 

Rand__

Well-Known Member
Mar 6, 2014
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Well I can't remember any bigger (public) issues with onboard SATA in years ... but o/c I have been virtualizing for a while.

In the end you need to use what makes you confident that it will run safely.