Areca 1880

[Computurd]

That is amazing, a fix is inbound

[PnoT]

Wow, this smells like progress =) Good job everyone!

[Computurd]

eXcellent news for sure, and luckily if things work as planned, soon i will join in the testing with these drives

[Wintel64]

Expander Firmware update for ARC-1880ix-12/16/24

2011/10/05 Released

ftp://ftp.areca.com.tw/RaidCards/BIO...1880/Expander/


================================================== =================

FW : sas2xfwYYMMDD.fw
Command to update,
1)"fdl code 0" to update new fw file
2)"reset"

MFG data : mfgdat6gMMDD.rom
Command to update,
1)"fdl mfgb 0" to update new data file
2)"reset"

after boot,
cmd > rev

================================================== ==============================
Hardware Revision Information:-
================================================== ==============================

Vendor ID :Areca
Product ID :6G-Expander
Product Revision Level :Minor = 0x03, Unit = 0x11
Component ID :0x0223 (Bond Option :36)
Component Revision Level :4 (B2)
Customer Code :0x1 or 0x3F or 0x1A
Manufacturer Data Revision :0xB6

================================================== ==============================
Firmware Revision Information:-
================================================== ==============================

Active Firmware: Active Image

Boot Image:
Revision: 255.3.5.10 Fast Boot: No Image Address: 0x14000000

Active Image:
Revision: 255.3.17.0 Fast Boot: No Image Address: 0x14080000

Backup Image:
Revision: 255.3.17.0 Fast Boot: No Image Address: 0x14100000




Change logs
--------------------

2010/09/23 Released
For Chip rev: B3
Revision: 7.01.03.82 09/23/10
Firmware Family: 1

A)Fix when device temperature OVT warning flag is not set when temperature great than
a critical limit.

2010/09/27
A)update the code to configure SdMegaWrapper register.

2010/10/13
A)Update to fill the SES speed code as 0.
B)Fix when device temperature OVT warning flag is not set when temperature great than
a critical limit.
C)Fix CLI shell been logout during keyin command string.
D)Update drivenstrength command parameters usage.

2010/10/14 Released
For Chip rev: B3
Revision: 7.01.05.88 10/14/10
Firmware Family: 1

A)Update "fdl" command default offset is 0, if no offset value input.
B)Fix LCM password verify fail if password length equal to 8.

2010/11/03 Released
For Chip rev: B3
Revision: 7.01.06.8D 11/03/10
Firmware Family: 1

A)Modify code which reduce the time that device ID 0x0E use to get sensor status.
B)Code to protect GAL watch dog timeout during FW copy at the BOOT stage.
C)Disable ARC-8026 expander GPIO heart-beat function.

2010/12/08 Released
For Chip rev: B3
Revision: 7.01.07.90 12/08/10
Firmware Family: 1

A)Support HDD access led on some model. (H/W GAL support)

2011/01/12 Released
For Chip rev: B3
Revision: 7.01.08.93 01/12/11
Firmware Family: 1

A)Update fan speed up before OVT warning function.
B)Fix the ARC-8026 LCM Fan/Power string shown when the device are not install.
C)Fix the ARC-8026 PWR fail label text mismatch with CLI.

2011/02/11 Released
For Chip rev: B3
Revision: 7.01.09.96 02/11/11
Firmware Family: 1

A)Support Redundant JBODs.
B)Fix Areca PSU I2C retry issue.
C)ARC-8026 suppor very low rpm fan.

2011/05/18 Released v1.10
For Chip rev: B3
Revision: 7.01.10.9B 05/18/11
Firmware Family: 1

A)When ARC8026 PWR sensor is disabled, clear some SES common status bit.
B)Fix the temperature element detect OVT fail at some condition.
C)Fix when set Auto Fan, the backup expander fan speed code is not match with master.

2011/05/25 Released v1.11
For Chip rev: B3
Revision: 7.01.11.9D 05/25/11
Firmware Family: 1

A)Fix bug that can't disable PHY correctly.
B)Fix Data file not found when upgrade FW from Revision: 7.01.09.96 02/11/11.
C)Fix SES page 02 critical bit set always.

2011/08/08 Released
For Chip rev: B3
Revision: 7.01.12.A3 08/08/11
Firmware Family: 1

A)Limit the high warning & low warning temp/ setting less than 100'c.
B)Fix expander always set fan at level 1 when auto fan is enabled on some models.
C)Support cli command "sys" to show GAL revision.
D)Add a protect on MFG data copy to prevent from watchdog timout.
E)Fix device ID 0x06 no fan installed issue.

2011/10/05 Released
For Chip rev: B3
Revision: 7.01.13.A9 10/06/11
Firmware Family: 1

A)Fix the group function.
B)Fix for ARC-1880 series "Request for Empty Slot" function.
C)Fix the empty slot led function conflict with LSI 6G RAID adapter.
use "sys -y [on|off]" to enable/disable the function of empty slot led.
default is off.
D)Fix the issue that make LSI MSM (Megaraid storage) can't log messages.
E)Enlarge the IO delay after switch the fan group make read fan speed more preciselly.
F)Fix the bug that after manually change the fan speed,
all of the sensors will report wrong status.
For standalone expander ARC-8016, ARC-8026 only.

[Computurd]

anyone tested this FW yet?

[Wintel64]

New areca 1880 beta firmware

2011/10/17 Released

ftp://ftp.areca.com.tw/RaidCards/BIO...a/Build110802/

[Nizzen]

Does it fix Crucial m4 009 firmware problem? Maybe Areca found a fix? I will install beta driver very soon

[Nizzen]

Does it fix Crucial m4 009 firmware problem? Maybe Areca found a fix? I will install beta driver very soon

No fix for Crucial ssd

I do not want to wait for Crucial in months... I do not want to use the sandforce drives of mine for the main array. Now I am using V3 MIs. It is fast, but it is not crucial

[PnoT]

I'm still waiting on the fix as well since I'd like to flash the latest and get some more "umph" out of these.

[Computurd]

looking like there is no timeline on this, but they are definitely looking at it!

[Computurd]

ok so now i have the same issue LOL. I will be working on another review for LSI shortly, and also with Areca, so i will see what kind of assistance i can get on this issue. Big thanks to Crucial/Micron for providing this array(C400 256 X 8), as it complements the C300 array in the expander nicely, now all we need is the fix! I will get with Crucial as well and see what happens.

[kikourof]

No news on that RAID firmware issue? Did you guys hear about a solution coming soon?

[Computurd]

Alright guys, I am in direct contact with Quality Assurance at Micron, so things should move along quickly

[Razor_Blade]

Thanks, I am getting nowhere with emails now. I will try calling tomorrow, again.

[Rubycon]

New areca 1880 beta firmware

2011/10/17 Released

ftp://ftp.areca.com.tw/RaidCards/BIO...a/Build110802/

Has anyone been using the betas since this past summer? Every one (this most recent one included) seems to have issues with the system hanging with the busy light flashing constantly. If the system is power cycled it will just sit at the boot load screen (spinning windows flower) forever. Seems to happen with certain advanced settings only available in these beta releases.

I guess this is why they are still beta.

[Anvil]

I've been using the official fw (released end of 2010) until just resently.

I've had zero issues on the latest beta, I have not had the time to check out all the new settings though.

The m4 fw 0009 does not work on either of those and will result in the controller not booting.
(they do work for testing purposes if attached after having booted, not really a workable solution at all)

[kikourof]

Do you guys think there is a real chance that we could end up using the M4 in a Raid system or should I look into buying other SSDs for building my RAID?

If the answer is no then would you have any advice onto which SSD to buy for that purpose?

Thanks for your advice,

Arnaud

[kikourof]

Bump

Nobody? No news from crucial? Are we stucked with firmware 09 being not compatible with the Areca card? Any hope? Any alternative?

Thanks,

Arnaud

[kikourof]

As an alternative I'm thinking of going with 8 OCZ Vertex 3 120Go.

Anybody has validated this configuration with the Areca 1880i?

Thanks

Arnaud

[SteveRo]

@ kiko - Looks like a fix might be coming, how long - hard to say - see CT's post #70 @ http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...=1#post4992617

[kikourof]

Thanks Steve, yeah it does not look too good... since I'm needing to implement an SSD Raid with my Areca 1880i in the next few days I guess I'll have to use the Vertex instead, bummer...

[SteveRo]

Thanks Steve, yeah it does not look too good... since I'm needing to implement an SSD Raid with my Areca 1880i in the next few days I guess I'll have to use the Vertex instead, bummer...

How much storage do you need?
I'm also looking for new SSDs for 1880 - but using them soley for chasing hwbot pcmv.
I think I would go with 2xR0 of the mushkin cronos deluxe if I give up on waiting for the M4 fix.

[Computurd]

8 OCZ Vertex 3 120Go.

careful with those, the SF do not tend to scale as well imo, but that may be due to inconsistent performance overall, especially with different datasets.I know when ive done uber raids with SF beasts they are very inconsistent as a whole. wild swings in performance, tons of variability. and that is running the same bench repeatedly! they seem to be affected by 'background' ops more when under stressful testing, maybe its jsut with arrays? just an observation.
i wouldnt use them for benching. samsung or M4 right now. no eta on m4 fix, but will shoot email to crucial today.

[SteveRo]

careful with those, the SF do not tend to scale as well imo, but that may be due to inconsistent performance overall, especially with different datasets.I know when ive done uber raids with SF beasts they are very inconsistent as a whole. wild swings in performance, tons of variability. and that is running the same bench repeatedly! they seem to be affected by 'background' ops more when under stressful testing, maybe its jsut with arrays? just an observation.
i wouldnt use them for benching. samsung or M4 right now. no eta on m4 fix, but will shoot email to crucial today.

Paul, you would go with samsung over mushkin chronos deluxe? Which samsung for 2xR0 on 1880?

[Computurd]

gah steve, i would really hate to put it down to picking a specific one, as i would hate it if you didnt get the desired results. I have a hard time recommending gear i haven't had in my own hands... samsung needs to send me an array to test LOL.

Just performance with the incompressible is the thing. and with the Octane (JetStream) headed out...supposed to be a sequential monster, but killer at low QD. dunno why im mentioning that, but it does muddy the water. maybe its my affinity for old school idilinx that served me well for years but...they might bear some scrutiny.


the M4 but not sure of the wait. I dont know if it will be issued as a bugfix, or rolled into a firmware, if the later is the case, there could be a wait.

guess that means im on the fence!