M1215 does not see some disks

[Rand__]

So I have a weird little issue here.

I have 4 PM863's in an Intel Server connected to a M1215. I passed it through to FreeNas - no go. Freenas (and neither the HBA) can see these drives.

I have 4 Intel S3700 in the same server on the same HBA - working fine.

The Samsung drives are known good (some new, some used as datastore before). I have moved one of the Samsungs to the onboard SATA controller - detected fine in ESX.
I swapped Intel and Samsung drive positions in case one of the cables is not ok - same game, Intel found, Samsung not.

Are there any known incompatibilities between Samsung drives and M1215's ? Its been flashed to LSI, running P14 (yes FreeNas is complaining, but thats no issue atm).
I know I used to have these 2 of these PM863's on a similar adapter before and had no issues - out of ideas atm.

 

[pricklypunter]

Why such an early firmware? Tried updating it to p20?

 

[Rand__]

It's a 1215 not 1015, i.e. 12 gbs. So fw is more recent that FreeNas likes (14 vs 12)

 

[pricklypunter]

Hehe, I was just about to correct my post after re-reading it...but ya got there before me

 

[Rand__]

 

[Rand__]

So did not have much time yet, but another quick try:
Spaced out Intel /Samsung evenly on the 9 slots (ie I|S|I|S|I|S|I|S) - still4 intel are there, 4 S are not

Then removed adapter from FreeNas, same picture in ESX - 4 drives seen, 4 not.

But they are found on onboard SATA controller... I don't get it

 

[Rand__]

So had time playing around with this some more today. Turns out, the HBA is innocent - I have a weird backplane/drive cage issue instead.

My intel box comes with two x8 SFF drive cages. Left drive cage *only* sees Intel S3700's - regardless of slot.
Right drive cage sees all kinds of drives (S3700's, PM863's, intel 3610's and Lightning U2's), both onboard and on M1215 (via sas expander).

Done bios update, no change.

Totally don't get that :O