Will this cable HD Mini SAS (SFF-8643) - SlimSAS (SFF-8654), SAS work on this backplane if you had a card like this Linkreal 8 Port U.2 to PCIe x16 SFF-8643 NVMe SSD Adapter with Heatsink-LRNV9349-8I/LRNV9348-8I
Can I use the BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 backplane with any SC216 chassis?
- Thread starter binarymonkey
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The backplane has Oculink x4 (SFF-8611) connectors, not slimsas. So no.
As to why I want to use pcie switches vs direct attach, I think that's the same reason you use any kind of expander. I want some of my motherboard pcie slots for networking and other stuff. I also don't anticipate needing immediate access to every single drive, all at the same time.
Also my understanding is that switches are functionally retimers. I know gen 3 is less tricky as far as signal loss goes, but I doubt having something on the JBOF side cleaning up the signal is going to hurt me (and possibly is necessary).
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This would be a better choice:
Sorry, was out a bit. It's serverschmiede.comWhich famous orange site are you referring to?
BTW, may be interesting for some
Looks like one may buy this SuperMicro 1028U-TR4+ 1U SFF Server w/ X10DRU-i+, DUAL PSU, AOC-UR-I4G, DUAL PSU | eBay
($250 accepted) and Supermicro BPN-SAS3-116A-N10 10-Bay 2.5" SFF 4x SAS3 10x NVMe Hybrid Backplane | eBay ( also $250 is ok) and then add original risers (4 port - cheap, 6 port - not) or some pci-e retimers, switches or whatever and build fast enough, up to 10 nvme system for reasonable price
From reading/watching a lot of L1Techs content, seems like cables and adaptors with pcie gen 4 are quite finicky.
Sounds like you gotten other NVME backplanes with the OCuLink connector on the backplane to work at Gen 4 speeds - which cables worked? My plan was to order these SM cables….
Supermicro Slimline SAS x8 to 2x OCuLink (x4) 36cm Cable (CBL-SAST-0817)
Copper Cable Assembly Internal Slimline SAS SFF-8654 Application Also Available in 28cm Supermicro Certified
What card/HBA did you plan to use?From reading/watching a lot of L1Techs content, seems like cables and adaptors with pcie gen 4 are quite finicky.
Sounds like you gotten other NVME backplanes with the OCuLink connector on the backplane to work at Gen 4 speeds - which cables worked? My plan was to order these SM cables….
Supermicro Slimline SAS x8 to 2x OCuLink (x4) 36cm Cable (CBL-SAST-0817)
Copper Cable Assembly Internal Slimline SAS SFF-8654 Application Also Available in 28cm Supermicro Certifiedstore.supermicro.com
I am putting together a system based on CSE-216 chassis. Just grabbed the last one on eBay for 350 and a new backplane from wiredzone. Planning to use these cables:
www.microsatacables.com
and
www.microsatacables.com
First one will go into three AOC-SLG4-4E4T cards and the last into two MCIO ports on the motherboard ASRock SPC741D8UD-2T/X550.
I will have to use ATX P4 to Molex 4-pin coverter cable to power the backplane https://www.sfcable.com/atx-p4-to-molex-4-pin-power-cable.html
Hopefully it will all work OOB and I would have no problems. I probably will be short one 8-pin 12V power connector for the motherboard.
SlimSAS 8i SFF-8654 to 2 X Oculink 4i Cable - 60 CM
SlimSAS 8i SFF-8654 to 2 X Oculink 4i Cable - 60 CM Cable Length is 60 CM
MCIO x8 74P to 2X Oculink 4i Cable - 1 Meter
The MCIO 74P to 2X Oculink 4i Cable 1 Meter is a high-performance data transfer cable that connects devices with a 74-pin connector to other devices with Oculink 4i connectors.
First one will go into three AOC-SLG4-4E4T cards and the last into two MCIO ports on the motherboard ASRock SPC741D8UD-2T/X550.
I will have to use ATX P4 to Molex 4-pin coverter cable to power the backplane https://www.sfcable.com/atx-p4-to-molex-4-pin-power-cable.html
Hopefully it will all work OOB and I would have no problems. I probably will be short one 8-pin 12V power connector for the motherboard.
I am thinking about this for some weeks since I stumbled upon a CSE-216BE16-R920UB "new open box" really cheap.
I have a few questions:
I have a few questions:
- Backplane: You always talked about the BPN-NVME3-216N-S4 in this thread. I would prefer the BPN-NVME4-216N-S4 found in AS-2114S-WN24RT. Any reason to stick to the older one except for price?
- Power connectors: My case comes with an old PDB-PT829-S8824 and does not have the power connectors needed. Unfortunately the website for the AS-2114S-WN24RT seems to have many copy/paste errors. First of all the pictures are all from the older AS-2113S-WN24RT. Second it lists the same PDB but the backplanes have different connectors 4x 4pin vs 2x 8pin. Those 8pins are smaller than EPS but I only found cables to connect the power connectors on Supermicro Ultra/Hyper-style boards to this backplane.
- Next thing is the compatibility of the PDB with the case. There is at least another style like the PDB-PT825-8824 found in 825/826 cases and as long as I don't know if the original PDB of AS-2114S-WN24RT will fit my case, I can't start shopping for parts because in the end this might break the built and I would resort to mimicking the older AS-2113S-WN24RT (PDB fits my case, cheaper mainboards in used market, cheaper retimer cards but not gen4)
According to FAQ Entry | Online Support | Support - Super Micro Computer, Inc. the main difference is in hybrid drive support. I wonder if BPN-NVME3-216N-S4 can sustain NVMe4 drive speeds.
I guess it will be more of an compatibility thing. Some drives probably won't link at gen4 at all with BPN-NVME3-216N-S4 and SlimSASx8 -> OCuLink cables. I want a system that works with a wild mix of drives so I am eager to avoid compatibility issues as long as its easily possible.
The backplanes have completely different connectors for data as well als power, so I guess the answer from Supermicro is simplified with a user in mind who wants to know what he can get on the highest level.