QUESTION: LSI MegaRAID 9260-8i (IBM M5015 with performance accelerator key)

[ashp]

We are about to purchase the IBM x3630 M3 server with 3.5" IBM SATA Drives and the M5015 RAID controller (rebadged 9260-8i). Initially we specced the "Advanced Feature Key" which only adds the following features: RAID 6&60 and support for Self Encrypting Drives.

When I found out about the "Performance Accelerator Key" with the same features as the above and in addition, its SSD enhancements and the MEGARAID RECOVERY Environment (which is my main point of interest) I decided to replace the Advanced Feature key with this.

However, the IBM rep tries to dissuade me from doing so by saying it is incompatible with the X3630 M3 since I have no SSD drives (as per the information here http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips0799.html, section: supported servers).

While I understand that I will not get the SSD features (FastPath and CacheCade) since I am not using SSD's, the IBM rep insisted that even the MEGARAID RECOVERY will not work if all I have are SATA drives. After reading the documentation from LSI regarding this Advanced Hardware Key (IBM: "Performance Accelerator Key") I find no mention anywhere that the MEGARAID RECOVERY Environment will not work on SATA only environment (with no SSD's).

Can anyone familiar with LSI confirm that is safe for me to get the "Performance Accelerator Key" even though the IBM rep claims it is incompatible with the x3630 M3 specced with SATA drives only.

Thank you

[ashp]

This document shows that the Performance accelerator key is supported for the x3630 M3. http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips0807.html (section: Table 8. RAID controllers for internal storage)

Answered my own question. I hope its helpful for others.

[Computurd]

thanks for posting!