FreakLaws Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Hello. I am really new to this so please keep that in mind. I just built a NAS using these spare parts I had: CPU: Intel Core i5 6500 MB: Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI PSU: Corsair SF600 SFX SSD: Crucial MX300 275GB Then I got myself these parts: SilverStone CS381 (bad airflow case) 6 x Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Hard Drive 7200 RPM 256MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 1 x Team Group CX2 2.5" 2TB SATA III 1x Samfox Model: SA3004 6Gb/s Pci-e Pci Express to 4-Port Sata 3.0 Expansion Controller Card When I first booted Unraid and got the trial key, I went (under the steps I followed from a YouTube guide) to set up the array. What I had in mind is: 1 x 8TB HDD for Parity (I thought I wanted to have more storage) 1 x 2TB SSD for cache (I used the 275GB SSD instead by mistake. Oooops!) 5 x 8TB HDD for storage (Will add 2 x 4TB HDD later when I empty them) 1 x 275GB SSD for Plex Data So then after ‘configuring’ my array setup, I started Parity-Sync/Data-Rebuild process. I started with speeds around 82MB/sec then after some hours it went down to 72MB and when writing this it went even further down to 67MB. My noob theory is: Either the controller is bad. Or one of the HDD has issues since it was not working in one of the slots. Attached is the diagnostics zip (Tools >> Diagnostics >> Download) And some screenshots. Just a heads up, I most likely will not understand some of the suggestions I will get since I am really knew to this and am planning to learn step by step and take it slow. Thank you so much cyborg-diagnostics-20210407-1907.zip Quote Link to comment
JorgeB Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 It's normal for speed to decrease during a sync/check since disks are much faster in the outer tracks, but you're using a SATA port multiplier for 3 disks, this is bad for performance (and reliability), see here for a list of recommended controllers. 1 Quote Link to comment
FreakLaws Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 3 minutes ago, JorgeB said: It's normal for speed to decrease during a sync/check since disks are much faster in the outer tracks, but you're using a SATA port multiplier for 3 disks, this is bad for performance (and reliability), see here for a list of recommended controllers. Wow! Thanks for the super quick response! It is incredible that you knew about the 3 disks connected to that "controller" in such a short time. Ok. So The "controller" is bad. You called it multiplier is there a difference so that I can pay attention when getting the new one. Also what controller do you suggest that I get? I mean I am going to mostly use it for personal use and Plex streaming. After getting a new controller, do I have to (or should I) redo the parity sync/rebuild? Is there anything you suggest that I should do differently when it comes to my set up plan? Any hits or suggestions would be great! Thanks a lot! Quote Link to comment
Vr2Io Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 (edited) 29 minutes ago, JorgeB said: It's normal for speed to decrease during a sync/check since disks are much faster in the outer tracks, but you're using a SATA port multiplier for 3 disks, this is bad for performance (and reliability), see here for a list of recommended controllers. Something abnormal, if it is controller / multiplier issue related, we should expect a flat ceiling speed then start slowly drop once total bandwidth less then the ceiling bandwidth. Next, according the attach PIC, only parity in writing and other member were idle, I haven't idea what operation was going. In 2nd PIC was expect, all member in reading and parity in writing. ** Samfox Model: SA3004 must replace with recommend one ** Some moe ifo., that controller was PCIe 1x, most likely a PCIe 2.0, so expect max bandwidth was 500MB/s. With 5 data disks sync to 1 disk, expect each should got around 100MB/s. So with overhead, 83MB/s in start is normal. Edited April 7, 2021 by Vr2Io 1 Quote Link to comment
John_M Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 13 minutes ago, FreakLaws said: It is incredible that you knew about the 3 disks connected to that "controller" in such a short time. It's all in the diagnostics, if you know where to look: Apr 6 11:19:16 Cyborg kernel: ata7.15: Port Multiplier 1.2, 0x1b21:0x1092 r0, 3 ports, feat 0x5/0xf 14 minutes ago, FreakLaws said: Also what controller do you suggest that I get? Click on the link: 26 minutes ago, JorgeB said: see here for a list of recommended controllers 1 Quote Link to comment
FreakLaws Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 17 minutes ago, Vr2Io said: Something abnormal, if it is controller / multiplier issue related, we should expect a flat ceiling speed then start slowly drop once total bandwidth less then the ceiling bandwidth. Next, according the attach PIC, only parity in writing and other member were idle, I haven't idea what operation was going. In 2nd PIC was expect, all member in reading and parity in writing. ** Samfox Model: SA3004 must replace with recommend one ** Thanks! Although I did not really understand everything, one thing is clear, you suggest the "controller" to be changed. Quote Link to comment
FreakLaws Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 4 minutes ago, John_M said: It's all in the diagnostics, if you know where to look: Apr 6 11:19:16 Cyborg kernel: ata7.15: Port Multiplier 1.2, 0x1b21:0x1092 r0, 3 ports, feat 0x5/0xf Click on the link: Hahaha! Apologies. I clicked the link just after I sent that reply. Thanks for clarifying things for me. I hope one day I can be as skilled as you guys in reading the diagnostics report, since I can't really understand much of it. Quote Link to comment
Vr2Io Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 2 minutes ago, FreakLaws said: Thanks! Although I did not really understand everything, one thing is clear, you suggest the "controller" to be changed. Sure, that type controller really rubbish. LSI HBA always recommend. 1 Quote Link to comment
John_M Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 1 minute ago, Vr2Io said: Sure, that type controller really rubbish. The ASM1061 that it's based on is fine for controlling one or two disks and it's cheap and only needs a x1 slot. It's on the list of recommended controllers. The issue is with the port multiplier. 1 Quote Link to comment
FreakLaws Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 2 minutes ago, John_M said: The ASM1061 that it's based on is fine for controlling one or two disks and it's cheap and only needs a x1 slot. It's on the list of recommended controllers. The issue is with the port multiplier. But I still need to get a new controller, right? Quote Link to comment
John_M Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 1 minute ago, FreakLaws said: But I still need to get a new controller, right? Yes, but don't be afraid of ASM1061-based ones without a port multiplier (i.e. those that only have two ports) if they fulfil your requirements. 1 Quote Link to comment
Vr2Io Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 (edited) 12 minutes ago, John_M said: with the port multiplier. Of course know that, not everyone understand the architecture of a controller card, call it controller just for easy understanding. The keypoint is it is PCIe 1x only. 10 minutes ago, FreakLaws said: But I still need to get a new controller, right? Yes, you connect 6 disks, LSI HBA i.e. 9211-8i also a PCI2.0 card, but it was PCIe 8x, much bandwidth. Edited April 7, 2021 by Vr2Io 1 Quote Link to comment
FreakLaws Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 11 hours ago, Vr2Io said: Of course know that, not everyone understand the architecture of a controller card, call it controller just for easy understanding. The keypoint is it is PCIe 1x only. Yes, you connect 6 disks, LSI HBA i.e. 9211-8i also a PCI2.0 card, but it was PCIe 8x, much bandwidth. Alright, so after some searching, I found these parts and would like help choosing from them and if they are recommended/compatible: Controllers: https://www.amazon.com/Array-Internal-Controller-9260-8i-46M0851/dp/B07V6132NX https://www.newegg.com/global/sa-en/p/14G-0006-00159?Item=9SIA4A0C555953 Cable: https://www.amazon.com/Internal-SFF-8643-SFF-8087-Compatible-Controller/dp/B08NPY32ZN Quote Link to comment
Hoopster Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 9 minutes ago, FreakLaws said: https://www.amazon.com/Array-Internal-Controller-9260-8i-46M0851/dp/B07V6132NX This card has a MegaRaid LSI chip which cannot be flashed with IT mode firmware. It is not a good choice for unRAID. The card in the 2nd link will work well. Are you planning to connect SATA drives directly to the controller? If so, you need an SFF-8087 to 4 SATA forward breakout cable like this one. Make sure you get a forward breakout cable and not reverse. The direction matters. To connect 8 drives to the second controller listed, you would need two cables. 1 Quote Link to comment
FreakLaws Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 38 minutes ago, Hoopster said: This card has a MegaRaid LSI chip which cannot be flashed with IT mode firmware. It is not a good choice for unRAID. The card in the 2nd link will work well. Are you planning to connect SATA drives directly to the controller? If so, you need an SFF-8087 to 4 SATA forward breakout cable like this one. Make sure you get a forward breakout cable and not reverse. The direction matters. To connect 8 drives to the second controller listed, you would need two cables. Thanks for letting me know! I would never have known that by myself! I chose that cable because I want to connect the PCIe controller (sff-8070) to my case SilverStone CS381 which uses sff-8643. So I will have to go with this one: https://www.newegg.com/global/sa-en/p/14G-0006-00159?Item=9SIA4A0C555953 Hope that makes sense. And are my choices good or bad? Quote Link to comment
Vr2Io Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, FreakLaws said: Hope that makes sense. Yes, just note you use SilverStone CS381. HBA/cable price a bit expensive, btw different market/source have different price. I got those in 1/3 🙂 FYR, after add LSI HBA, expect parity sync/check should start in 180MB/s and end in 100MB/s, average 140MB/s. Edited April 8, 2021 by Vr2Io 1 Quote Link to comment
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