Hello,

I'm collecting informations to build my 2nd Unraid server and I'm considering to buy a Supermicro CSE-829U.

The server is sold in 12x LFF configuration, but honestly I cannot understand how is it possible to use 12x drives as Supermicro says on their website the motherboard supports 10x SATA connections, but it has 12 slots...

Also, the powerseller on ebay says the server comes with LSI Megaraid 9266-8i... I tried to get some informations about this card and it seems it has an LSI 2208 chipset, but it can be flashed to HBA using LSI 2308 bios and firmware (it requires to use the same SAS address after changing the bios of the card).

 

I've few questions about this possible buy opportunity:

1. how is it possible the server comes with 12 LFF bays when the motherboard has 10 SATA connections? Does Intel C612 support HBA mode?

2. has anyone already flashed the LSI 9266-8i into HBA mode?

 

Here are the specs about the motherboard: https://www.supermicro.com/en/products/motherboard/X10DRU-i+

Here are the specs of the server I wanna buy: https://www.ebay.it/itm/125460566456?hash=item1d360851b8:g:N-MAAOSwiX9i9inM

Here are the specs of LSI 9266-8i: https://docs.broadcom.com/doc/12351959

Here are some tutorials of flashing chipset LSI 2208 to LSI 2308:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDatT8fn9KQ&pp=ugMICgJpdBABGAE%3D

https://mywiredhouse.net/blog/flashing-lsi-2208-firmware-use-hba/

 

Thank you guys!

23 minutes ago, endystrike said:

how is it possible the server comes with 12 LFF bays when the motherboard has 10 SATA connections?

If the backplane includes a SAS expander you just need one miniSAS cable from the HBA to access all devices, chek the model, it should be printed on the backplane.

 

23 minutes ago, endystrike said:

has anyone already flashed the LSI 9266-8i into HBA mode?

That's a MegaRAID controller and those usually cannot be flash to IT mode.

Thanks @JorgeB

It seems the motherboard has 2 Mini SAS slots (I suppose with 4 channels each) + 2 SATA connectors.

So it seems if I wanna use 12x LFF drives I should add an HBA card and then add a Mini SAS cable to connect the other 4 drives to the backplane... Is it right?

As far as you know, onboard chipset Intel C612 supports HBA/IT mode?

 

Thanks

Edited November 7, 20223 yr by endystrike

You can use the onboard SATA controller for 10 devices, but if the backplane include a SAS expander you cannot connect it to the onboard SATA controller, you need a SAS HBA, like the LSI 9211-8i, 9207-8i, etc in IT mode, MegaRAID models are not recommended.

3 minutes ago, JorgeB said:

You can use the onboard SATA controller for 10 devices, but if the backplane include a SAS expander you cannot connect it to the onboard SATA controller, you need a SAS HBA, like the LSI 9211-8i, 9207-8i, etc in IT mode, MegaRAID models are not recommended.

so, you can confirm onboard Chipset Intel C612 does support HBA/IT mode? or the fact that supports AHCI is good for Unraid anyway? as far as I can understand up to 10 drives it should work properly with Unraid, right?

Edited November 7, 20223 yr by endystrike

13 minutes ago, endystrike said:

so, you can confirm onboard Chipset Intel C612 does support HBA/IT mode?

There's no HBA/IT mode for the onboard SATA, it's a regular AHCI SATA controller, but it can be used with Unraid without any issues, and the Intel SATA controller is one of the best you can use.

2 hours ago, JorgeB said:

There's no HBA/IT mode for the onboard SATA, it's a regular AHCI SATA controller, but it can be used with Unraid without any issues, and the Intel SATA controller is one of the best you can use.

Would it work with an expander though or do you need a SAS controller for that ?

4 minutes ago, ChatNoir said:

Would it work with an expander though or do you need a SAS controller for that ?

No, SATA controller does not work with a SAS expander, in some Intel chipsets the 4 SCU ports support SATA and SAS, those could be connected to a SAS expander, e.g., Supermicro X9DR3-LN4F+.