Super cheap LSI SAS3 controller

Fritz · Oct 5, 2023

Markess said:
That's nuts. A couple years ago I was stoked to get one (different brand but still SAS3008) for $60, and now they cost about the same as a Venti specialty coffee at Starbucks!

Yea, crazy cheap and they work good.

Samir · Oct 5, 2023

Markess said:
That's nuts....they cost about the same as a Venti specialty coffee at Starbucks!

Yes it is! No way a coffee should be that much!

Fritz · Oct 5, 2023

Well hell, why not. Got 3 more on the way for no other reason than to never have to say I should have ordered more when i could.

bvd · Oct 9, 2023

frameshift18 said:
Anybody know if the standard low profile LSI brackets will fit these?

Also which one of you just bought 70 of these things..

Fits fine - same PCB I think actually.

e97 · Oct 12, 2023

Finally got around to installing and flashing the HBAs..

Results: faster zpool performance (90T scrub takes 1 days 06:40:51 vs 1 day 07:26:02) but higher power usage (+20W) vs SATA cards and onboard controller..

Anyone know if its possible to access the temp sensor on the cards? Or if there is one? I beleive you can read it if the card is has IR (RAID) firmware flashed to it but didnt see anything for IT mode.

Before:

Code:

Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
Version 17.00.00.00 (2018.04.02)
Copyright 2008-2018 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.

    Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)

Num   Ctlr            FW Ver        NVDATA        x86-BIOS         PCI Addr
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

0  SAS3008(C0)  15.00.00.00    0e.00.00.07    08.35.00.00     00:0c:00:00
1  SAS3008(C0)  12.00.00.00    0b.02.00.07    08.29.00.00     00:0d:00:00

    Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
    Exiting SAS3Flash.

Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
Version 17.00.00.00 (2018.04.02)
Copyright 2008-2018 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.

    Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)

    Controller Number              : 0
    Controller                     : SAS3008(C0)
    PCI Address                    : 00:0c:00:00
    SAS Address                    : AAAAAAA-A-AAAA-AAAA
    NVDATA Version (Default)       : 0e.00.00.07
    NVDATA Version (Persistent)    : 0e.00.00.07
    Firmware Product ID            : 0x2221 (IT)
    Firmware Version               : 15.00.00.00
    NVDATA Vendor                  : LSI
    NVDATA Product ID              : SAS9300-8i
    BIOS Version                   : 08.35.00.00
    UEFI BSD Version               : 14.00.00.00
    FCODE Version                  : N/A
    Board Name                     : INSPUR 3008IT
    Board Assembly                 : INSPUR
    Board Tracer Number            : N/A

    Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
    Exiting SAS3Flash.

Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
Version 17.00.00.00 (2018.04.02)
Copyright 2008-2018 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.

    Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)

    Controller Number              : 1
    Controller                     : SAS3008(C0)
    PCI Address                    : 00:0d:00:00
    SAS Address                    : BBBBBBB-B-BBBB-BBBB
    NVDATA Version (Default)       : 0b.02.00.07
    NVDATA Version (Persistent)    : 0b.02.00.07
    Firmware Product ID            : 0x2221 (IT)
    Firmware Version               : 12.00.00.00
    NVDATA Vendor                  : LSI
    NVDATA Product ID              : SAS9300-8i
    BIOS Version                   : 08.29.00.00
    UEFI BSD Version               : N/A
    FCODE Version                  : N/A
    Board Name                     : SAS9300-8i
    Board Assembly                 : N/A
    Board Tracer Number            : N/A

    Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
    Exiting SAS3Flash.

Flashing from linux (debian 12 bookworm)

Code:

$ sudo ./sas3flash -c 0 -f SAS9300_8i_IT.bin -b mptsas3.rom -b mpt3x64.rom

Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
Version 17.00.00.00 (2018.04.02)
Copyright 2008-2018 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.

    Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)

    Executing Operation: Flash Firmware Image

        Firmware Image has a Valid Checksum.
        Firmware Version 16.00.10.00
        Firmware Image compatible with Controller.

        Valid NVDATA Image found.
        NVDATA Major Version 0e.01
        Checking for a compatible NVData image...

        NVDATA Device ID and Chip Revision match verified.
        NVDATA Versions Compatible.
        Valid Initialization Image verified.
        Valid BootLoader Image verified.

        Beginning Firmware Download...
        Firmware Download Successful.

        Verifying Download...

        Firmware Flash Successful.

        Resetting Adapter...
        Adapter Successfully Reset.

        NVDATA Version 0e.01.00.07
    Executing Operation: Flash BIOS Image

        Validating BIOS Image...

        BIOS Header Signature is Valid

        BIOS Image has a Valid Checksum.

        BIOS PCI Structure Signature Valid.

        BIOS Image Compatible with the SAS Controller.

        Attempting to Flash BIOS Image...

        Verifying Download...

        Flash BIOS Image Successful.

    Executing Operation: Flash BIOS Image

        Validating BIOS Image...

        BIOS Header Signature is Valid

        BIOS Image has a Valid Checksum.

        BIOS PCI Structure Signature Valid.

        BIOS Image Compatible with the SAS Controller.

        Attempting to Flash BIOS Image...

        Verifying Download...

        Flash BIOS Image Successful.

    Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
    Exiting SAS3Flash.

After

Code:

Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
Version 17.00.00.00 (2018.04.02)
Copyright 2008-2018 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.

    Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)

Num   Ctlr            FW Ver        NVDATA        x86-BIOS         PCI Addr
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

0  SAS3008(C0)  16.00.10.00    0e.01.00.07    08.37.00.00     00:0c:00:00
1  SAS3008(C0)  16.00.10.00    0e.01.00.07    08.37.00.00     00:0d:00:00

    Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
    Exiting SAS3Flash.

Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
Version 17.00.00.00 (2018.04.02)
Copyright 2008-2018 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.

    Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)

    Controller Number              : 0
    Controller                     : SAS3008(C0)
    PCI Address                    : 00:0c:00:00
    SAS Address                    : AAAAAAA-A-AAAA-AAAA
    NVDATA Version (Default)       : 0e.01.00.07
    NVDATA Version (Persistent)    : 0e.01.00.07
    Firmware Product ID            : 0x2221 (IT)
    Firmware Version               : 16.00.10.00
    NVDATA Vendor                  : LSI
    NVDATA Product ID              : SAS9300-8i
    BIOS Version                   : 08.37.00.00
    UEFI BSD Version               : 18.00.00.00
    FCODE Version                  : N/A
    Board Name                     : INSPUR 3008IT
    Board Assembly                 : INSPUR
    Board Tracer Number            : N/A

    Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
    Exiting SAS3Flash.

Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
Version 17.00.00.00 (2018.04.02)
Copyright 2008-2018 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.

    Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)

    Controller Number              : 1
    Controller                     : SAS3008(C0)
    PCI Address                    : 00:0d:00:00
    SAS Address                    : BBBBBBB-B-BBBB-BBBB
    NVDATA Version (Default)       : 0e.01.00.07
    NVDATA Version (Persistent)    : 0e.01.00.07
    Firmware Product ID            : 0x2221 (IT)
    Firmware Version               : 16.00.10.00
    NVDATA Vendor                  : LSI
    NVDATA Product ID              : SAS9300-8i
    BIOS Version                   : 08.37.00.00
    UEFI BSD Version               : 18.00.00.00
    FCODE Version                  : N/A
    Board Name                     : SAS9300-8i
    Board Assembly                 : N/A
    Board Tracer Number            : N/A

    Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
    Exiting SAS3Flash.

Tried to get the Board Name and Board Assembly to clear but was unable to erase the flash using advanced options.
Perhaps its necessary to do it from UEFI?

Code:

$ sudo ./sas3flash -c 0 -o -e 6

Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
Version 17.00.00.00 (2018.04.02)
Copyright 2008-2018 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.

    Advanced Mode Set

    Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)

    Executing Operation: Erase Flash

    Erasing Flash Region...

    ERROR: Erase Flash Operation Failed!

    Resetting Adapter...
    Reset Successful!

    Due to Exception Command not Executed. IOCStatus=0xeb68, IOCLogInfo=0x0
    Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
    Exiting SAS3Flash.

update: Was able to erase flash in UEFI shell. Erase mode 7 worked to clear everything and had to re-add SAS Address manually. Erase mode 6 didnt change anything as it doesnt erase the Mfg data section.

marg · Oct 17, 2023

After upgrading the firmware to V16 IT mode has anybody tried to flash it back to IR mode successfully?

I have tried the following steps to load IR firmware with no success.

sas3flash.efi -o -e 6 <-- even tried with -e 7
sas3flash.efi -o -f SAS9311_8i_IR.bin -b mptsas3.rom

it results in a mismatch error.
I will share the exact error details later when I am back.

Any thoughts on what I could be missing / doing wrong?

e97 · Oct 17, 2023

marg said:
sas3flash.efi -o -f SAS9311_8i_IR.bin -b mptsas3.rom

Maybe wrong firmware file? This card is a 9300-8i not 9311-8i

marg · Oct 17, 2023

e97 said:
Maybe wrong firmware file? This card is a 9300-8i not 9311-8i

that was my feeling as well. But that is the file that is contained within the firmware folder of the official download

firmware >> SAS9300_8i_IT >> SAS9300_8i_IT.bin
SAS9311_8i_IR >> SAS9311_8i_IR.bin

below is the output from the commands

Code:

sas3flash -o -listall

Num      Ctlr                      FW Ver                 NVDATA        x86-BIOS                  PCI Addr

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0     SAS3008(CO)     16.00.10.00         OE.01.00.07       08.37.00.00        00:61:00:00







sas3flash -o -e 6



Erasing Flash Region...

Erase Flash Operation Successful!

Resetting Adapter...

Reset Successful





sas3flash -o -f SAS9311_8i_IR.bin -b mptsas3.rom

Firmware Image as a valid checksum

Firmware Version 16.00.10.00

Firmware image compatible with controller

Valid NVDATA Image found

NVDATA Major Version 0E.01

Checking for a compatible NVData image

NVDATA Device ID and Chip Revision match verified

ERROR: NVDATA Image does not match controller SubSystem ID!

NVDATA Subsystem ID: 0x3090

Controller Subsystem ID: 0x30E0

Error: No Compatible NVDATA Images found

Due to error remaining commands will not be executed

Weapon · Oct 18, 2023

Auggie said:
The brackets came in, and I finally got to fit them. These fit perfectly, so it looks like generic LSI brackets will definitely work.

On a somewhat related note, one of the two controller cards I received from this thread was performing extremely poorly, with terrible speeds and throwing lots of read errors with zfs. I swapped out the card for the other, along with the cable, switched pcie slot, and switched which port in the backplane it was attached to, so I can't definitely say it was the card. Will have to do some more testing, but it's going to be a while before I get to it.

When the bracket is 50% the cost of the card and a bracket -_-

I did pick up a card to play with tho, $17 is crazy, what was the original price?

e97 · Oct 18, 2023

@marg You're right. Double checked the firmware file.

Not sure what to say.. maybe try flashing only the SAS9311_8i_IR.bin and not the rom. The bios rom seems to be the same for IT and IR mode.

Weapon said:
When the bracket is 50% the cost of the card and a bracket -_-

I did pick up a card to play with tho, $17 is crazy, what was the original price?

Seller now has separate listings for
full height bracket: Inspur LSI YZCA-00424-101 Raid Card 12Gbps HBA HDD Controller 9300-8i | eBay
half height bracket: Inspur LSI YZCA-00424-101 Raid Card 12Gbps HBA Controller Low Profile 9300-8i | eBay

~~A different seller with both brackets for a penny $0.01 more but ships from China:~~ ~~INSPUR 9211-8i YZCA-00019-101 6Gbps HBA LSI FW:P20 IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID | eBay~~ wrong card model

marg · Oct 18, 2023

e97 said:
@marg You're right. Double checked the firmware file.

Not sure what to say.. maybe try flashing only the SAS9311_8i_IR.bin and not the rom. The bios rom seems to be the same for IT and IR mode.

Seller now has separate listings for
full height bracket: Inspur LSI YZCA-00424-101 Raid Card 12Gbps HBA HDD Controller 9300-8i | eBay
half height bracket: Inspur LSI YZCA-00424-101 Raid Card 12Gbps HBA Controller Low Profile 9300-8i | eBay

A different seller with both brackets for a penny $0.01 more but ships from China: INSPUR 9211-8i YZCA-00019-101 6Gbps HBA LSI FW:P20 IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID | eBay

I have tried it without the rom as well, same issue.

BTW the card from china that you have listed is a 6G version.

RAINMAN · Oct 19, 2023

Any leads on cheap breakout cables for these?

piranha32 · Oct 19, 2023

RAINMAN said:
Any leads on cheap breakout cables for these?

I use this cable with SAS drives: https://www.amazon.com/CableCreation-Internal-SFF-8643-SFF-8482-connectors/dp/B01F378UF6

marg · Oct 19, 2023

RAINMAN said:
Any leads on cheap breakout cables for these?

@RAINMAN
I have some of the Supermicro cables that would work with these boards. Please note these cables are new.

Supermicro CBL-SAST-0531-01 Internal MiniSAS HD - MiniSAS HD SFF-8643 80cm Cable	Qty 5	$12 each + shipping
Supermicro CBL-SAST-0507-01 MiniSAS SFF-8087 to MiniSAS HD SFF-8643 80cm Cable	Qty 5	$12 each + shipping
Supermicro CBL-SAST-0699-01 Internal MiniSAS HD to SATA 80cm Cable	Qty 5	$12 each + shipping

Please send me a PM if you are interested.

I will include free shipping if someone buys any combination of 5 cables.

Serhan · Oct 19, 2023

RAINMAN said:
Any leads on cheap breakout cables for these?

I used these for SAS

Mini SAS HDD SFF-8643 to 4 SFF-8482 Connector with Power Port Hard Drive 0.5M 1M | eBay

If the Mini SAS (SFF-8643) on your backplane, this cable will not work with them. Side 2: (4) 29pin SFF-8482 connectors with SAS 15pin power port. Side 1: Internal Mini SAS SFF-8643. Cable length: 0.5M or 1M.

www.ebay.com

Fritz · Oct 19, 2023

I usually get mine from Amazon because I want them fast.

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Super cheap LSI SAS3 controller

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Mini SAS HDD SFF-8643 to 4 SFF-8482 Connector with Power Port Hard Drive 0.5M 1M | eBay

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