OCUlink connect U.2 SSD's on Z11PA-U12

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Tinkerer

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I read quite a bit of trouble with cables and OCUlink, ASrock, Supermicro ...

I hooked up 2x Intel DC P4510 to the OCUlink connectors using a SFF-8611 to SFF-8639 U.2 NVME PCIe cable ... its this one:

Drives are not being detected. Since I read so many different issues I figured I'd ask if someone has experience with these boards? Which cables should I use (assuming they are the problem)?

I see nothing in the Firmware setup on enabling the ports and the only mention of the word OCUlink in the manual is in the spec sheet.

I'm somewhat depressed now that its not working ...

Thanks!
 
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RolloZ170

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Apr 24, 2016
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note these OcuLink connectors are unbuffered PCIe lanes from the CPU, not designed for long cables.
normaly this Oculink go to a NVMe Backplane, and there are buffers and U.2/3 connectors for the drives.
 
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Tinkerer

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RolloZ170 said:
if VMD is enabled they are not visble in OS.
BIOS: Advanced-> All Intel VMD controllers
Click to expand...
Thanks!

Under Advanced, VROC, All VMD, theres nothing there.

I use an M1015 IBM/LSI adapter, but internal SATA are enabled AHCI mode.

Do you think those cables are too long?
 
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UhClem

just another Bozo on the bus
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RolloZ170 said:
note these OcuLink connectors are unbuffered PCIe lanes from the CPU, not designed for long cables. ...
Click to expand...
"unbuffered" ?
Do you mean "just straight unconditioned" CPU lanes? with no added redriver/retimer?
If so, please refer to my Franken-experiment [Link], and ask yourself:
Who are you gonna believe, "forum parrots" or your own eyes? [ :)Ref:[Link]]

I believe OP's problem is due to the Oculink connectors on the mobo being wired according to the old/obsolete "legacy", not the SFF-9402 standard. I have no proof/evidence, but there have been other instances of a similar nature w/Oculink connectors (early version of a IcyDock "4xU.2 in a 5.25 bay" comes to mind).

Maybe OP can reach out to @jahsoul and ask what cables he used here [Link].
 
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RolloZ170

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UhClem said:
Maybe OP can reach out to @jahsoul and ask what cables he used here [Link].
Click to expand...
he does NOT use the OcuLinks so far,
" I still plan on buying 2 2.5" NVME SSDs for datastores "
" I can add 6 more sticks of ram if I need it, running 2 NVMEs off the oculink "
 
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Tinkerer

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Thanks @UhClem . Is there a way to find out about that legacy / sff-9401 standard?

@RolloZ170 I have 2 cables, both don't work. Both SSD's are new, came sealed and all.

I have 2 PCIe cards that can mount U.2 SSD's coming in tomorrow and 2 new different brand OCUlink cables. I will try those over the weekend.

Im really screwed if this doesn't work, those SSD's werent cheap! :(
 
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RolloZ170

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mentioned in the Manual: there must be a auto bifurcation mechanism in the BIOS
ASUS NVMe Upgrade Kit 2-port
SKU: 90SKC000-M2XAN0
asus-2-nvme-upgrade-kit-800x800.jpg
 
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Tinkerer

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Thanks, appreciate youre all thinking along here.

I don't know where you got that riser card from but from here:

I find:
1688762596928.png

A backplane is basically an extension, female/male or vice-versa. A direct connection should still work, I think?

Also, why would that riser go into an 8x slot? The OCUlink ports next to the cpu provide the PCI lanes? Or how else does that work? That card is really confusing me.
 
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RolloZ170

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RolloZ170

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confusing is the VMD screen in the manual shows some NVMe drives.
but Advanced->NVMe controller and drive information
shows none.
 
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RolloZ170

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another idea. i hope you have connected the SATA power connectors of the Cable to your PSU.
do your PSU provide 3.3V on SATA power cables ?
 
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RolloZ170

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currentlc my problem is as follows:
Supermicro builds mboard with oculink and sells Oculink to U.2 Cables.
ASUS sells Riser Card SKU: 90SKC000-M2XAN0 with Oculink to Oculink Cable but not Oculink to U.2 Cable.
in the manual there is nothing about U.2
 
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RolloZ170

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the good found is, even if the z11pa don't support manual Bifurcation in the BIOS you can add 2/4 more OcuLink
ports by using the ASUS Cards (auto-bifurcation)
2 Port: 90SKC000-M2XAN0
4 Port: 90SKC000-M2WAN0
 
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Tinkerer

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RolloZ170 said:
the good found is, even if the z11pa don't support manual Bifurcation in the BIOS you can add 2/4 more OcuLink
ports by using the ASUS Cards (auto-bifurcation)
2 Port: 90SKC000-M2XAN0
4 Port: 90SKC000-M2WAN0
Click to expand...
I have been thinking about these, I found some for sale but all the cables have straight plugs into the OCUlink connectors. This will take 2 perhaps even 3 slots (depending on how bendable the plugs are) and I have yet to see small or 90 degree angled OCUlink plugs. Even with angled, it depends on how long they are and how much space there is between the connectors on the riser board or the plugs would create mechanical tension on the connector/riser board.

Either way, I don't think these are not very economically designed.
 
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RolloZ170

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Tinkerer said:
I have been thinking about these, I found some for sale but all the cables have straight plugs into the OCUlink connectors
Click to expand...
made for ASUS chassis backplates, you need other cables.
if you take the 4x Oculink Card, Slot 3 is disabled.
Tinkerer said:
Either way, I don't think these are not very economically designed.
Click to expand...
i see in the chassis manuals the 90 degree cables.
 
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