Super cheap LSI SAS3 controller

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Propaganda

Active Member
Dec 6, 2017
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NablaSquaredG said:
spread all over the forum, I really need to write a nicer guide eventually.


TL;DR:
Download Firmware for matching single port 100G SKU from Mellanox page (either VPI for both IB/Eth or Eth only SKU), flash with allow_psid_change option, reset card (mlxfwreset or reboot), done.
Click to expand...
I'll have to look more closely.
 
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klui

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2019
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You guys need to stop posting stuff like this cuz I buy more shit reading this forum than when my friend ran a tech deals site. Back then I would buy one of each but now I need spares and spares of spares.

Uh, on second thought, please don't stop posting.
 
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novegg4

Member
Nov 23, 2013
44
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NablaSquaredG said:
spread all over the forum, I really need to write a nicer guide eventually.


TL;DR:
Download Firmware for matching single port 100G SKU from Mellanox page (either VPI for both IB/Eth or Eth only SKU), flash with allow_psid_change option, reset card (mlxfwreset or reboot), done.
Click to expand...
The card:

www.ebay.com

Mellanox ConnectX-4 40GB Ethernet Card CX4131A MCX4131A-BCAT | eBay

Model Number: CX4131A. A representative will respond quickly. Enter item number. Location:United States. United States ZIP Code Change country Item location:Brea, California, United States.
www.ebay.com

is PCIe 3.0 x8 - are you sure it can be cross-flashed and perform at 100G?
 
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novegg4

Member
Nov 23, 2013
44
21
8
klui said:
No, it won't.
Click to expand...
Please let the "Layer 1 Magician" reply, it might be some secret knowledge incorporated (might be flashed, connects at 100G, but just max out at 7.877 GB/s) :)
If seriously: 12 cards already sold within last 24 hours
 
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NablaSquaredG

Layer 1 Magician
Aug 17, 2020
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Oh wait, this is a 4131A (ConnectX-4 LX), not normal ConnectX-4 single port CX415A

You can crossflash it to 50GBe (which is at least 100G generarion, not 40G generation) though with MCX4131A-GCAT frmware, which enables breakout connectivity with 100G switches in opposite to 40G.

MCX4131A-BCAT: Max 40G (40GBase standard, consists of 4x10G lanes) -> Only one card per 100G port on switches

MCX4131A-GCAT firmware: Max 50G (100GBase standard, consists of 2x25G lanes) -> Two cards per 100G port on switches (2x50G breakout mode)
 
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novegg4

Member
Nov 23, 2013
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NablaSquaredG said:
Oh wait, this is a 4131A (ConnectX-4 LX), not normal ConnectX-4 single port CX415A

You can crossflash it to 50GBe (which is at least 100G generarion, not 40G generation) though with MCX4131A-GCAT frmware, which enables breakout connectivity with 100G switches in opposite to 40G.

MCX4131A-BCAT: Max 40G (40GBase standard, consists of 4x10G lanes) -> Only one card per 100G port on switches

MCX4131A-GCAT firmware: Max 40G (100GBase standard, consists of 2x25G lanes) -> Two cards per 100G port on switches (2x50G breakout mode)
Click to expand...

According to nvidia -GCAT is: Max 50GbE ?

900-9X429-0015-0T0MCX4131A-GCATConnectX®-4 Lx EN network interface card, 50GbE single-port QSFP28, PCIe3.0 x8, tall bracket
 
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novegg4

Member
Nov 23, 2013
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NablaSquaredG said:
yes, 50. Last line (40 instead of 50) was a typo because I was on my phone, but it should've been clear from the context.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
Any special precautions for cross-flashing BCAT to GCAT version or a link to good step-by-step guide to avoid bricking the card?
 
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Fritz

Fritz

Well-Known Member
Apr 6, 2015
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Mine arrived today. It reported itself as a LSI SAS 3008 Fury-Storport. Firmware was kinda old so I flashed it and the BIOS. All is well, can't beat the price. Wish I had bought more.

EDIT - Would like to add that I flashed it using MSM, easy peezy. Click Click, done.
 
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Filez

Active Member
Feb 18, 2019
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If speed is not concern, am I limited with SAS2 cards? Do I have to get SAS3 to run those 4kn drives?
 
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BackupProphet

BackupProphet

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Jul 2, 2014
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olavgg.com
The SAS 2 cards should handle up to 500k iops and 2.2GB/s traffic, and will be limited if you have 5-6+ SATA SSDs
The newer SAS2 generation for PCIe 3.0 handles 4GB/s Which is fine for 8x-10x SATA SSDs, these will also be usefull for dual link to expanders.
These SAS3 should handle up to 1 million iops and 4GB/s, but the main advantage is support for SAS3 SSD's.
 
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jaysin144

New Member
Jul 28, 2023
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It's down to 24.99 lol. I posted in the forums the two days I've been trying to get BACK to the IR firmware on this.. 25.00 is well worth my time lol
 
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