Problem with a link from Adaptec 82885T to SATA via SFF-8644

[nicall]

Hello,

I have an Adaptec 82885T SAS expansion card whose F and G ports (SFF-8643 to SFF-8643 cable) are connected to a LSI 9302-8i SAS HBA controller.

I connected SAS drives to the internal ports of the Adaptec 82885T card using an SFF-8643 to 4x SATA cable (and SFF-8482 22-pin to 7-pin + 15-pin SATA adapter), and it works correctly.

However, I connected SAS drives (installed in a Rosewill RSV-SATA-Cage-34 enclosure) to the external ports of the Adaptec 82885T using a SFF-8644 to 4x SATA cable, and it doesn't work: the drives aren't detected.

The Adaptec user manual seems to indicate that it's impossible to directly connect drives via the external SFF-8644 ports of the Adaptec 82885T.
Yet, Gemini claims the opposite… and since the cable format exists, I figure it's possible!

Do you know if this is possible and how to do it?

Thank you for your help

Rosewill RSV-SATA-Cage-34
Amazon.com

SFF-8644 vers 4x SATA
Amazon.com: AoQhir Mini SAS HD SFF-8644 with IC to 4 x SATA 7-Pin Cable – 6Gbps High-Speed Server Hard Drive Interconnect, 28AWG Copper Wire (1m) : Electronics
Amazon.com

 

[mattventura]

The Adaptec user manual seems to indicate that it's impossible to directly connect drives via the external SFF-8644 ports of the Adaptec 82885T.
Yet, Gemini claims the opposite… and since the cable format exists, I figure it's possible!

First thing to do is figure out what firmware you have. There are OEM firmwares with different port configurations. For example, I have the Lenovo OEM version, and it configures connectors C through G as the direct-attach ports. The way to check is to use SES utilities to look at the virtual enclosure device, and plug drives into ports and see which enclosure slots become populated.

 

[etorix]

As a matter of principle, I would trust the manual over any Artificial Idiot…

Worst case, you'd use a SFF-8643 to SFF-8644 adapter to turn some of ports A-E to external.

 

[mattventura]

I just tested my Lenovo version and it does accept disks on A/B (which the virtual enclosure configuration would suggest are not designed for direct drive connections). Unfortunately, I don't have the right external cable to be able to test with the external ports, and the behavior could still be different with the non-OEM cards.

 

[nabsltd]

Yet, Gemini claims the opposite… and since the cable format exists, I figure it's possible!

That cable format might only work if the SFF-8644 end is directly plugged into an HBA.

But, it is an odd limitation for an external port, since there are JBODs without SAS expanders.

 

[UhClem]

Hello,

I have an Adaptec 82885T SAS expansion card whose F and G ports (SFF-8643 to SFF-8643 cable) are connected to a LSI 9302-8i SAS HBA controller.

I connected SAS drives to the internal ports of the Adaptec 82885T card using an SFF-8643 to 4x SATA cable (and SFF-8482 22-pin to 7-pin + 15-pin SATA adapter), and it works correctly.

OK

However, I connected SAS drives (installed in a Rosewill RSV-SATA-Cage-34 enclosure) to the external ports of the Adaptec 82885T using a SFF-8644 to 4x SATA cable, and it doesn't work: the drives aren't detected.

The Adaptec user manual seems to indicate that it's impossible to directly connect drives via the external SFF-8644 ports ...

The manual IS NOT CORRECT!!

I've been using a 82885T card [hosted to a LSI(/Imgur) 9300-8i HBA] for the last two years. During my initial (Do I need to return this? ) testing, I found the manual incorrect, in that ALL of the internal (SFF-8643) ports, including Port G, functioned perfectly (with SFF8643-to-4xSATA breakout).

Hence, a year later, when I wanted to add 4 external drives, I bought a SFF8644-to-4x breakout, and it did work fine, in both Port H & Port I, with both SATA & SAS drives.
[My 82885T card has B025 firmware.]

In light of this, I suggest that you return your 8644 cable. [Either it's defective, or the "with IC" (see Description) is FUBARing.] Replace it with a "generic" (ie, passive) one--e.g., [Link].

 

[nicall]

Thanks all for your help.

In light of this, I suggest that you return your 8644 cable. [Either it's defective, or the "with IC" (see Description) is FUBARing.] Replace it with a "generic" (ie, passive) one--e.g., [Link].

Thanks a lot for these informations, it's really appreciated.
My 82885T card had B025 firmware, and I've upgraded it to B059, but without success.
I opened a support ticket with Adaptec/Microchip, but I haven't received a response yet.

I'm going to order and try the cable you recommended, the seller confirmed that it's a passive cable without a chip.

Thank you for your help