Mixing Intel Kit A2U44X25NVMEDK with SM AOC-SLG3-4E4R on X10DRH-CT

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nephri

Active Member
Sep 23, 2015
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Hi,

I have an Intel Kit A2U44X25NVMEDK

https://www.servethehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Intel-A2U44X25NVMEDK-hot-swap-cage-front.jpg

https://www.servethehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Intel-A2U44X25NVMEDK-hot-swap-cage-rear.jpg

That normally use a proprietary "hba" that seems to work only with compatible Intel Chassis.

I would know if someone have tried to connect this enclosure directely to
- a AOC-SLG3-4E4R from 4 Nvme connectors (white ones)
- a LSI 9300-8i from 2 Sas connectors (black ones)

The question is it the enclosure forward "standard" protocols on wires that can be handled by appropriate HBA (NVME or SAS one) ?

I ask here if someone already played with theses kinds of tests !!

Another question is it the AOC-SLG3-4E4R compatible with a SuperMicro X10DRH-CT
This HBA didn't seems to have a PLX and need to use bifurcation and it seems to be an issue for many of peoples.

I already have the Intel Kit, and i would like to be able to use it with my HomeLab Storage Appliance built on top of an X10DRH-CT (i'm ready to buy an AOC card if needed)

So, any information are welcome since i would be sure to be able to do it to work before investings money...

Best regards,
Sébastien.
 

nephri

Active Member
Sep 23, 2015
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Another question, is someone sucessfully used a AOC-SLG3-4E4R with FREEBSD ?
Manuals say it works on Linux, Windows and VMWare...
 

T_Minus

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Feb 15, 2015
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I have some Intel NVME enclosures similar I got with the intention of using them with SuperMIcro motherboard, nvme aoc, and a desktop\tower case for a quiet in-office 'all in one'...

I may actually have time to build it here this cming week too and will keep you posted :)

There shouldn't be any issue using it with the SM NVME AOC though.
 
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Aestr

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Oct 22, 2014
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FWIW I have had no luck with the AOC-SLG3-4E4R in any motherboard, even ones that support bifurcation for other NVME HBAs. I have had success with the AOC-SLG3-4E4T on an X10SRW-F, which also happens to be on the qualified list for that AOC. YMMV and certainly my testing wasn't exhaustive, but you should go in expecting that it's by no means guaranteed to work, and you may lose money on the AOC.
 

T_Minus

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Doh! I need to buy occulink cables still myself.

I can try on the older gen NVME AOC though. Should work fine though its just a backplane.

Oculink cables are not cheap :(
 

nephri

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Sep 23, 2015
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I asked to SuperMicro for compatibilty with my motherboard (X10DRH-CT) and i had this answer:


Those cards have not been tested /validated by Supermicro on this MBD X10DRH-CT so we cannot guarantee that they will work properly however see below some information:

- AOC-SLG3-4E4T
For the AOC-SLG3-4E4T, you may need to remove JP5 and JP6, then set JP7 to pins 1-2 to check if the drives are detected correctly
Additionally see the AOC-SLG3-4E4T manual link: https://www.supermicro.com/manuals/other/AOC-SLG3-4E4T.pdf

- AOC-SLG3-4E4R
Should be OK on slot 6 .
Additionally see the AOC-SLG3-4E4R manual link: https://www.supermicro.com/manuals/other/AOC-SLG3-4E4R.pdf
 

nephri

Active Member
Sep 23, 2015
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I have some Intel NVME enclosures similar I got with the intention of using them with SuperMIcro motherboard, nvme aoc, and a desktop\tower case for a quiet in-office 'all in one'...

I may actually have time to build it here this cming week too and will keep you posted :)

There shouldn't be any issue using it with the SM NVME AOC though.
Did you make some tests ?
 

jerrytsao

MILAN X P5800X
Sep 11, 2016
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AOC-SLG3-4E4R is known to have limited compatibility even with SM boards, as Larry has pointed out here.

I would suggest using A2U8X25S3PHS + AOC-SLG3-4E4T, both are updated version with 8 PCIe NVMe/SAS/SATA slots (vs 4 PCIe NVMe only) + Redtimer (better compatibility than Redriver), you can check them working on X10DRG-Q here (in Chinese), also OcuLink SFF-8611 to SFF-8611 cable ie. CBL-SAST-0819 is about the same price as SFF-8643 to SFF-8643 cable.

 
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marcoi

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Apr 6, 2013
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i got a Intel A2U44X25NVMEDK kit from ebay. I'm hoping to use the hba card with my dell r730 server to access the 4 nvme 2.5 drive bays on the dell.

Has anyone gotten it to work with something other then intel server? I havent tried it on the server yet, waiting for a downtime window to play with it. I also need to get a cheap nvme u.2 drive to test once i put the card in the server.
 

T_Minus

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Feb 15, 2015
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i got a Intel A2U44X25NVMEDK kit from ebay. I'm hoping to use the hba card with my dell r730 server to access the 4 nvme 2.5 drive bays on the dell.

Has anyone gotten it to work with something other then intel server? I havent tried it on the server yet, waiting for a downtime window to play with it. I also need to get a cheap nvme u.2 drive to test once i put the card in the server.
There's at-least one other thread about the Intel NVME adapters in non-intel, they don't work.
 

redeamon

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Jun 10, 2018
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i got a Intel A2U44X25NVMEDK kit from ebay. I'm hoping to use the hba card with my dell r730 server to access the 4 nvme 2.5 drive bays on the dell.

Has anyone gotten it to work with something other then intel server? I havent tried it on the server yet, waiting for a downtime window to play with it. I also need to get a cheap nvme u.2 drive to test once i put the card in the server.
You're going to need a Dell NVMe Extender. I have an extra r730xd nvme kit (card+cable) if you want it- PM me. Any other card won't work b/c the backplane is "smart" and allows for either a SAS3 drive or NVMe drive in slots 9-12. Not to mention IDRAC will report all sorts of errors if a non-dell nvme extender is used and the sas3 expander on the backplane will get screwy with dropped drives and all sorts of issues.

I've tried, it's not worth the hassle.

Here's what it looks like: Dell SSD NVMe PCIe Extender Card Kit for R630 GY1TD K9TVP | eBay

And yes, you can use the r630/r730 extenders in either machine (it's the same card but with different p/n's). The cables are a little different but it works fine. If you go for the r630 version be aware that the cable might not work with the r730 (I haven't tried) you might need to change the bracket but it should work. I've used the r730 extender many times in the r630 but with the correct cable.

David
 
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marcoi

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Apr 6, 2013
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You're going to need a Dell NVMe Extender. I have an extra r730xd nvme kit (card+cable) if you want it- PM me. Any other card won't work b/c the backplane is "smart" and allows for either a SAS3 drive or NVMe drive in slots 9-12. Not to mention IDRAC will report all sorts of errors if a non-dell nvme extender is used and the sas3 expander on the backplane will get screwy with dropped drives and all sorts of issues.

I've tried, it's not worth the hassle.

Here's what it looks like: Dell SSD NVMe PCIe Extender Card Kit for R630 GY1TD K9TVP | eBay

And yes, you can use the r630/r730 extenders in either machine (it's the same card but with different p/n's). The cables are a little different but it works fine. If you go for the r630 version be aware that the cable might not work with the r730 (I haven't tried) you might need to change the bracket but it should work. I've used the r730 extender many times in the r630 but with the correct cable.

David
Good to know, i figured it was a long shot, but i was able to get the intel kit for 100 while the dell ones are running over 200ish. I'll put the intel kit up for sale and wait for the dell ones to drop in price since i dont have an immediate need for nvme. I will PM you for a price on your kit.
 

TrumanHW

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Sep 16, 2018
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Hi, sorry to bring this back from the dead ... but I'm looking for people who've used either:

SM AOC-SLG3-4E4R (redriver version)
- or -
SM AOC-SLG3-4E4T (retimer version)


I was originally (in another thread on ixsystems) asking about the High Point SSD7120 ... when someone told me to use the SM HBAs instead.
Granted, I saw the title says the discussion was about using a SuperMicro MB
... but someone mentioned using it with a Dell R630 I think, also..?


I'd said I had a Gigabyte motherboard, but, I'm unsure his reply was sugg. affirmation of compatibility between the SM HBA & Gigabyte.

Will 3rd party (Gigabyte or Dell MB so long as it has bifurcation) work with:
- SuperMicro AOC-SLG3-4E4R (redriver)
- SuperMicro AOC-SLG3-4E4T (retimer)
And, are the SM HBAs compatible with MOST NVMe drives..? Someone said something that made me think only with Intel NVMe SSD??

Do you think this is compatible with FreeNAS..?
- High Point SSD7120

My motherboard: Gigabyte x299x Designare (has built-in 10G-baseT & TB3 ... not a PCIe card taking up a slot, either!)
• With an Intel i7-9800x -- it has 44 PCIe 3.0 lanes ... but can go up to 48 lanes.

Could the HBAs work with a Dell T320 ... or would a T630 (13 gen) be required..?)

Intended SSDs:

• 4x Samsung PM983 3.84TB NVMe


I'll get a Dell T630 or T640 with 18LFF drives when they come down in price...

THANKS you guys!!
 

Rand__

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Mar 6, 2014
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Me personally wouldn't use the -R versions at all any more.
Basically the R's only really worked in the systems they were officially compatible with (for me), while the -T worked in all but one I used (SM mostly and a single Asus iirc, nonworking was SM too).

Never heard anything that the T''s wouldn't work with non Intel drives.
 
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TrumanHW

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Excellent. And with 3rd party motherboards... specifically ... are they likely to work..? (I have a Gigabyte x299x Designaire board) ... thanks
 

Rand__

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I would expect that they do, as mentioned I had no issues on an Asus board (wwith a hacked bios since it didnt do bifurcation on the slot I wanted to use [but it did support it on another one]). But o/c you'll only know for sure if you give it a try...
 
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