New LSI 9200 series controllers: 6Gb/s, 2.88 GB/s seq. reads, 1.87 GB/s seq. writes

[F@32]

the implementation on that board is called IR (integrated raid) if i recall correctly. it basically allows it to boot, then kicks it over to the CPU on your comp. it is just enough to boot. its kinda a HBA/Raid card hybrid. thats why it gives uber soft-raid esque numbers. that is how the 9211 functions.
the max stripe size is 64 for that btw?

I didn't expect miracles from HBA, but thought there will be some benefit from PowerPC. Yes, max strip size is 64 (8, 16, 32, 64 are the choices). Which gives stripe size = strip size * number of drives

Here we go then...
LSI 9240-8i, latest FW and the drivers. It really needs 4+ SATA3 fast SSDs to shine. But I don't think I really need 2Gb/s sequential read beast.






Aaaand P67 with Core i5 2500K at stock clocks. Not bad for a $150 mobo WB Cache is enabled and Cache flushing is disabled.

[Computurd]

something doesnt jibe with those 4k random resutls on the 9240. you might need to adjust your settings or look at your board, which board is it? 14.77 for 4k random @ qd1 is horrible. something isnt right here...

[F@32]

something doesnt jibe with those 4k random resutls on the 9240. you might need to adjust your settings or look at your board, which board is it? 14.77 for 4k random @ qd1 is horrible. something isnt right here...

Yes, it's not pretty. The board is ASRock P67 Extreme4. This was with the card installed into the 3rd PCIe slot. The only settings I could adjust were the drive cache (on), strip size (64), background initialization (off) and SSD guard (off). I will try 2nd PCIe slot and report back. Cheers.

[Mastakilla]

I expanded my RAID5 from 4 HDs to 6HDs

After 70 hours the reconstruction of my RAID5 is finally done!!
(it took quite a bit longer than I expected)

it has been working great for a few days now...

I did it especially for the extra space, but also the performance makes me quite happy

here is the difference:

4HDs Crystaldiskmark 1GB vs 6HDs Crystaldiskmark 1GB:


4HDs Crystaldiskmark 4GB vs 6HDs Crystaldiskmark 4GB:


4HDs HDTune Read vs 6HDs HDTune Read:

[Computurd]

PCIe 3 operates in x4 mode

^^^ASRock P67 Extreme4

[F@32]

^^^ASRock P67 Extreme4

RTFM, right? Does it makes a difference that it's PCIe 2.0 4x? Should that provide plenty of the bandwidth? Will try 2nd slot anyway. Cheers

[tiro_uspsss]

could someone help here please:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=265462

[acesea]

Anyone having success with zfs on 9240-8i/M1015? Which distro and firmware on hba?

I've read on opensolaris.org of problems with the 9240-8i:
http://opensolaris.org/jive/thread.j...ssageID=481552
Been resolved hopefully?

[tiro_uspsss]

anyone know a compatible expander for LSI 9260?

[Ipreferspam]

anyone know a compatible expander for LSI 9260?

From [H] forums: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1548839 post #11

Just installed an LSI 9260-4i with the RES2SV240. Working great so far with ten drives attached, just as aitoribarra describes.

I tried and failed to get an HP Expander working with the LSI 9260-4i.

Product info here: http://www.intel.com/Products/Server...0-Overview.htm

Tangel on [H] forums seems to be running this with 10 drives, I wonder how it'd work with multiple 6 GB/s SSDs, thougH?

I, too, am looking for a good expander card to use with my 9260-4i... I have 4 C300 64 GB drives and I'd like to add more to it!

Also, looks like somebody reviewed it @ NewEgg with a 9260-8i: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816117207

[tiro_uspsss]

From [H] forums: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1548839 post #11


Product info here: http://www.intel.com/Products/Server...0-Overview.htm

Tangel on [H] forums seems to be running this with 10 drives, I wonder how it'd work with multiple 6 GB/s SSDs, thougH?

I, too, am looking for a good expander card to use with my 9260-4i... I have 4 C300 64 GB drives and I'd like to add more to it!

Also, looks like somebody reviewed it @ NewEgg with a 9260-8i: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816117207

sorry I'm having a hard time working out how many HDDs I can attach to that expander - how many can it do?

[Ipreferspam]

24 ports and the Product Brief on Intel's site says it supports 6.0 Gb/s devices.

Just read some more and you lose 4 ports when connecting it to a RAID card, it seems, so you gain 20 ports when teamed up with a 9260-4i.

[tiro_uspsss]

24 ports and the Product Brief on Intel's site says it supports 6.0 Gb/s devices.

Just read some more and you lose 4 ports when connecting it to a RAID card, it seems, so you gain 20 ports when teamed up with a 9260-4i.

not enough - I need at least 28

[shazza]

Not sure my question belongs in this thread, but I'll start out here. Am in the process of installing and configuring the 9240-8i with 4 x 2T HDs (ASUS P6T Deluxe x58, Windows 7 x64, OCZ Vertex as boot drive). I can get close to making everything work, but no cigar. I've faced just about every issue mentioned in this thread and worn out my google-searching-fingers. I've had issues a) finding the right PCI-E slot, b)getting into Web-bios, and c)problems getting the MSM software to install properly. The only thing that went smoothly was installing the driver. And yes, I have RTFM'd until my head hurts. And no, I have not flashed new firmware yet ... which I am trying to do, but I get roadblocked using MSM for this, and can't seem to get the hang of using MegaCLI ... But, I'm not asking for hand holding on this stuff yet, as I obviously have more homework to do.

Sorted through most of that, and have been able to create a Virtual Drive using MSM. My question is, how do I access the Virtual Drive once it's created? I can see the LSI as a Storage Controller in Device Manager, and there is an LSI 9240 xxxxx device listed in the Disk Drive drop down. I can also see the LSI RAID in the BIOS, and it shows during the boot sequence for the LSI controller. But, no idea how to actually get data to and from it. Wasn't sure if there was a step needed in Windows (like mapping the drive?). It's either something so easy I can't find anybody with the same issue - or, my installation and/or card have a problem that still needs sorting.

So, my question - when everything is working correctly, and you create your Virtual Drive, how do you find it in Windows?


(oh, and please be gentle ... this stuff doesn't come easy to Grandma, but I am trying)

[trans am]

Not sure my question belongs in this thread, but I'll start out here. Am in the process of installing and configuring the 9240-8i with 4 x 2T HDs (ASUS P6T Deluxe x58, Windows 7 x64, OCZ Vertex as boot drive). I can get close to making everything work, but no cigar. I've faced just about every issue mentioned in this thread and worn out my google-searching-fingers. I've had issues a) finding the right PCI-E slot, b)getting into Web-bios, and c)problems getting the MSM software to install properly. The only thing that went smoothly was installing the driver. And yes, I have RTFM'd until my head hurts. And no, I have not flashed new firmware yet ... which I am trying to do, but I get roadblocked using MSM for this, and can't seem to get the hang of using MegaCLI ... But, I'm not asking for hand holding on this stuff yet, as I obviously have more homework to do.

Sorted through most of that, and have been able to create a Virtual Drive using MSM. My question is, how do I access the Virtual Drive once it's created? I can see the LSI as a Storage Controller in Device Manager, and there is an LSI 9240 xxxxx device listed in the Disk Drive drop down. I can also see the LSI RAID in the BIOS, and it shows during the boot sequence for the LSI controller. But, no idea how to actually get data to and from it. Wasn't sure if there was a step needed in Windows (like mapping the drive?). It's either something so easy I can't find anybody with the same issue - or, my installation and/or card have a problem that still needs sorting.

So, my question - when everything is working correctly, and you create your Virtual Drive, how do you find it in Windows?


(oh, and please be gentle ... this stuff doesn't come easy to Grandma, but I am trying)

like this:

[shazza]

Thanks, trans am. Yep - I could get that far to see the drive, but not sure where to go from there. I think I've made some progress ... going into Disk Management as Admin and was able to see and partition the Virtual Drive. I believe I'm a bit confused as to what the MSM software accomplished, and what I have to do after the fact to prepare the disk. It's been a long time since I messed with RAID!

[trans am]

Thanks, trans am. Yep - I could get that far to see the drive, but not sure where to go from there. I think I've made some progress ... going into Disk Management as Admin and was able to see and partition the Virtual Drive. I believe I'm a bit confused as to what the MSM software accomplished, and what I have to do after the fact to prepare the disk. It's been a long time since I messed with RAID!

after the disk is setup in windows disk management. You should be able to go into msm and see the properties and set it up how you want it. what exactly are you doing with those 4 drives? are we doing a raid0 with a mirror?

[shazza]

Thanks ... I'm actually just "playing." Experimenting a bit. Thinking of setting up a RAID 5 setup (lots of video and photo stuff), but also playing a bit with RAID 0. (We have a home server, so back-up is not my immediate goal).

I'm just a little leary of RAID 5 with this controller, because the guide says it needs a jumper (but it's unclear because the photos in the guide are wrong) - so I need to check in with LSI Tech Support.

[trans am]

Thanks ... I'm actually just "playing." Experimenting a bit. Thinking of setting up a RAID 5 setup (lots of video and photo stuff), but also playing a bit with RAID 0. (We have a home server, so back-up is not my immediate goal).

I'm just a little leary of RAID 5 with this controller, because the guide says it needs a jumper (but it's unclear because the photos in the guide are wrong) - so I need to check in with LSI Tech Support.

the best way to tell is go into msm now and see what you can do. do you know how to use it? Im installing it now if you need a walkthrough.
another important step is getting the latest driver from lsi. its MID_1433937_Win7_x64_Signed_Driver_4.32.0.64. extract to a folder and go to device manager and look for storage controllers. then select the lsi and update the driver by pointing the the MID folder you jsut made.

[shazza]

Thanks ... I do have the latest driver installed (that was easy enough, much like GPU driver updates). I have MSM installed and running - and working my way through it now. Main thing is, I don't seem to be able to get any options other than default, even when I do a manual configuration (not sure if this is the limitation of the 9240 or something wrong with my install) Will be good to see how it works for you (edit - oops, I see you have the 9260, just like everyone else )

I did set up a simple RAID 5 with all 4 disks and one big partition ... lolz

[trans am]

Thanks ... I do have the latest driver installed (that was easy enough, much like GPU driver updates). I have MSM installed and running - and working my way through it now. Main thing is, I don't seem to be able to get any options other than default, even when I do a manual configuration (not sure if this is the limitation of the 9240 or something wrong with my install) Will be good to see how it works for you (edit - oops, I see you have the 9260, just like everyone else )

I did set up a simple RAID 5 with all 4 disks and one big partition ... lolz

holy crap thats a huge partition. I am trying to update my FW to the new one but now I am having my own problems. its says FW image is corrupt when I try to select it.
what stripe size is that? I have no clue about anything other than raid0. oh nvm, you said it was auto config so its 64kb

******duh fixed. I had the 9240 fw. good thing lsi picked it up that it didnt match my card otherwise I'd be screwed. I just flashed the 9260-4i and rebooting now. ***

[-=DouglasteR=-]

Is there any way to read the temperatures of the 9260-8i ? Because it was SOOO HOT that i attached i fan on it.

Thanks !

Also, here is my result :

9260-8i Last drivers and firmware with 8x1TB Samsung HD103sj

From left to right : - Onboard ICH10 with cache enable, then cache disable and then the LSI.



and here it's config

[trans am]

this is 3x 50gb vert2 raid 0 32kb stripe FP key 9260-4i

paul does this look right to you?

[trans am]

Is there any way to read the temperatures of the 9260-8i ? Because it was SOOO HOT that i attached i fan on it.

Thanks !

Also, here is my result :

9260-8i Last drivers and firmware with 8x1TB Samsung HD103sj

From left to right : - Onboard ICH10 with cache enable, then cache disable and then the LSI.



and here it's config

yes most of us have strapped a fan over it. it gets hot!

[felix_w]

this is 3x 50gb vert2 raid 0 32kb stripe FP key 9260-4i

paul does this look right to you?

Writes do seem kinda low to me...What are your other settings ?

Here's my 4xVertex 30 fw 1.6 Raid-0 on the same card without fastpath :

LSI on 2.120.13-1094 FW, newest Drivers from LSI and restored my Win7 x64 image aligned at 2048sectors.

Both benches below are with LSI array as Non-OS disk:

32KB stripe, Read Ahead, Write Back, Cached I/O, No BBU, after 3-4 bench runs




32KB stripe, No Read Ahead, Write Through, Direct I/O, No BBU, after 3-4 bench runs