Samsung SSD PM1643 3.8TB SAS 12Gb/s MZ-ILT3T8A 2.5" @ $289.98

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UhClem

just another Bozo on the bus
Jun 26, 2012
435
249
43
NH, USA
Looks like these are NetApp OEMs [Google <samsung pn x357a>] (see listing photo).

Does that pose any issues re: blocksize and/or FW updates?
 

itronin

Well-Known Member
Nov 24, 2018
1,233
793
113
Denver, Colorado
I'd keep an eye out for this drive and the different buybest's. I have seen them run out then list more.
Historically they list 'em as they process them. Maybe this is all they have but maybe not.
 

LodeRunner

Active Member
Apr 27, 2019
540
227
43
Does anyone know if these are 512 or 520 byte drives? I can't find a spec sheet that says. Given that they're NetApp, I would assume 520, but would like to confirm if that's the case and if they can be changed to 512 with sg_format
 

itronin

Well-Known Member
Nov 24, 2018
1,233
793
113
Denver, Colorado
Does anyone know if these are 512 or 520 byte drives? I can't find a spec sheet that says. Given that they're NetApp, I would assume 520, but would like to confirm if that's the case and if they can be changed to 512 with sg_format
I cannot say for sure with these drives. However the last batch of HGST HUSMM1616's SSD's (EMC P/N) I purchased from a buybest had been reformatted from 520 to 512 as part of their testing/provisioning process. You can always message them and ask.
 

Firebug24k

Member
Apr 12, 2017
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40
18
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I'll bite and see if I can reformat... though by the time I get it I bet they're all sold out.
 

soaringswine

Member
Nov 29, 2020
30
24
8
Seller said they are 520 bytes. I messaged to ask if they can be formatted to 512 bytes with sg_format or if they are locked.
 

soaringswine

Member
Nov 29, 2020
30
24
8
these have SFF-8680 (12 Gb/s) connectors, right? kind of surprisingly hard to find SFF-8643 to SFF-8680 cables except from Taiwan or random sites. any suggestions?

at some point, I'll explore the SAS multipath options with the Active-Active dual ports, but not now..
 

NateS

Active Member
Apr 19, 2021
159
91
28
Sacramento, CA, US
these have SFF-8680 (12 Gb/s) connectors, right? kind of surprisingly hard to find SFF-8643 to SFF-8680 cables except from Taiwan or random sites. any suggestions?

at some point, I'll explore the SAS multipath options with the Active-Active dual ports, but not now..
Yeah, I think they're pretty hard to find since 95% of the time these drives are connecting to a backplane, so the cable-only option is actually the more unusual one.

In my case, since I don't strictly need the SAS3 speeds, I went ahead and got some SFF-8643 -> 4x SFF-8482, which are a little more available. The connectors are otherwise the same; it's just that the newer 8680 is certified for SAS3, and the older one is not. I grabbed them from this Ebay seller, but apparently they only have one left now: Mini SAS SFF-8643 to 4 SFF-8482 29pin Connectors + SAS 15pin Power 12GB/S Cable | eBay
 

dvicory

New Member
Apr 19, 2021
5
0
1
Probably a dumb question but finding some conflicting info: would this work in a SAS2 backplane, on say a Dell R720?
 

Sogndal94

Senior IT Operations Engineer
Nov 7, 2016
114
72
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Norway
Probably a dumb question but finding some conflicting info: would this work in a SAS2 backplane, on say a Dell R720?
Yes, it should. SAS3 is backwards compatible with SAS2. So If you connect a SAS3 drive to a SAS2 compatible RAID controller like the H710, the drive will negotiate at 6Gbps instead of 12Gbps. You will ofc be limited to SAS2 speed. :)
 

Weapon

Active Member
Oct 19, 2013
304
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Yes, it should. SAS3 is backwards compatible with SAS2. So If you connect a SAS3 drive to a SAS2 compatible RAID controller like the H710, the drive will negotiate at 6Gbps instead of 12Gbps. You will ofc be limited to SAS2 speed. :)
So these would work in a standard Supermicro SAS2 backplane from a SC846?
 

soaringswine

Member
Nov 29, 2020
30
24
8
****, got this message back from the seller:

"According to our tech that tested these SAS, they cannot change the boot sector size, so these are locked to 520 Bytes"