M5016 vs M5015...

[Rhinox]

While I was looking for IBM M5015 (with intention to cross-flash it to LSI 9260) I found IBM M5016. I think now of M5016 as substitution, but I do not know what the differencies are.

I know M5015 is SAS2108-based, while M5016 uses SAS2208. But I have a few questions:

Q1: Can M5016 be cross-flashed to LSI9265 (or 9266)?
Q2: Does M5016 come with BBU included (as M5015)?
Q3: What the heck is that "Cache Vault"? Some controller-cache protection? Does it work even without BBU?

On IBM-web I found "This controller uses 1 GB of Flash-Backed cache with super-capacitor technology, eliminating the need for consumable batteries". But I do not understand what it means. No BBU needed? How is then cache protected?

 

[mobilenvidia]

A1: Just flash the M5016 with 9265/6 FW, no need to xflash as you gain nothing.
A2: M5016 comes with CacheVault (NAND cache) which has a capacitor to keep the NAND flash charged, much better than BBU
A3: answered above.

Make sure the M5016 comes with the capacitor (comes with a cable), some vendors don't include it, making it just a normal cached card (ie no cache backup)

M5016 uses dual core ROC, faster NAND based cache, quicker solution for HW RAID

 

[mrkrad]

Doesn't that mess up your use of soft feature keys? to cross flash?

 

[Rhinox]

Thank you for your reply. The reason I asked about cross-flashing is what I have read about M5015: it boots-up very slowly, but once cross-flashed to LSI, it is much faster. And I think some users here said they liked LSI-bios and software more, than that of IBM. That's why I asked if it is also possible to cross-flash M5016 to LSI. Is there no reason to do it?

BTW, if I understand it correctly, then M5016 is something like "refreshed" M5015. Better cpu, bigger cache, capacitor instead of battery, in other words a little better. So I should prefer M5016 over M5015, correct? But from what I found on IBM-web, that capacitor-unit must be ordered separately. And the problem is I did not find it anywhere (seems it was not released yet)...

 

[mobilenvidia]

The M5016 is a LSI9265 but no Hardware/software keys
This means no CacheCade or Fastpath.

The M5016 should come with the Cachevault capacitor, there are no other versions that came from IBM
If it's missing its only because someone took it away !!
A BBU will not work with CacheVault, the capacitor is needed

If the M5016 comes with less that what you see avoid it.

The M5016 is like what the LSI9265 is vs the LSI9260, much better for RAID5/6

 

[Rhinox]

Excelent info man, you are true Guru here! So I will take M5016 (instead of M5015) as I want to use it for raid5. I have only one more concern:

I have heard some rumours initialization of M5015 took very long (a few minutes), that's why some users cross-flashed it to LSI. How is it now with M5016? Does it take the same long time to initialize on non-IBM system as M5015 used to? And does M5016 actually work on non-IBM system at all? Because I want to use it with Intel server-board...

 

[mobilenvidia]

The M5016 takes just as long as a LSI 9265 to boot.
About 1min to initialise the controller and drives.

Currently I'm only running a M5016 on an ASRock P55 Mobo and using a ASTek expander.
As non IBM as you can get.

Very basically the M5016 behaves like a LSI9265 but with cachvault, only downer is the lack of Keys to enable Cachecade/fastpath

 

[Rhinox]

OK, initialise-time a minute or two is no problem for me and I will not miss cachecade/fastpath too much, so I will stick with M5016. Thanks again. I'm much obliged to you for all the info you provided...

 

[mrkrad]

You can disable the delay boot feature with MEGASCU , its just a timer value like 30 - really obvious.

The main problem I saw with the M5014 $66 control was the $300 (my cost) for the hardware key - which enabled *.* (snapshots,encryption,fast path,cachecade 2.0,etc) - Cross flashing is an easy way to roach your card as far as keys.


LSI is not tolerant like (HP) when it comes to losing keys. It seems they have been abused.

Well that and HP keys are PER Server and are on the honor system ... If you replace a whole system you can use your old key instantly on the new system, and not pray (LSI) key system is working, or that your special case is worth consideration (LSI has to be open in Norcross to process overrides).

For Dell servers, Get the H700 - it comes with fast path out of the box, and the NVRAM 1024 models come with cachecade 1 free. HP the P420 comes with fast path free, and with the SAAP 2.0 you get a ton of features including Their cachecade 1.0 equivalent. The P430 comes with everything but HP SmartCache(cachecade 1.0 equiv) free 100% out of the box to go with the 12gbps SmartArray controller.

So you have many options.

LSI sucks, imo. Crappy interface. Inconsistent RIS policy. Horrific battery policy. Very buggy firmware/drivers. ZERO support for OEM cards like M5016.

HP well - doesn't work that hot in anything but HP, but HP servers are dirt cheap (L5639 Workstation, L5639 server) on ebay.

HP uses PMC-sierra (bought adaptec) so you can always buy Adaptec, but the driver quality is not up to snuff.

 

[Rhinox]

...The M5016 should come with the Cachevault capacitor...

OK, I checked it, I will get M5016 with the same capacitor as on the figure. But how should it be mounted? Directly on the controller? I do not see any space for it. Or is there some mounting-kit I have to order extra? Because I'm not sure if it can just hang on the cable...