Fujitsu LSSAS3008 Controller

[Hadi]

Hi

I have this controller https://www.fujitsu.com/global/products/computing/servers/primergy/components/pmod-157814.html#specs but I am struggling to make it work with my drives. I bought it off ebay as an already flashed controller to IT mode, but since it is not detecting my Seagate Exos 14TB drives I wondering if I need to flash or update the firmware myself. I cannot find the download files for this model. Have any of been successful with this card? Else I am just going to buy another one

Thanks in advance

[JorgeB]

You can post the diagnostics to see if it's getting detected and really in IT mode.

[Hadi]

19 hours ago, JorgeB said:

You can post the diagnostics to see if it's getting detected and really in IT mode.

Yes ofc here it is

diagnostics.zip

[JorgeB]

Controller is being correctly detected and initialized, and it's in IT mode, #1 suspect for not detecting drives would be using the wrong cables or the 3.3v SATA pin issue, using a molex to SATA adapter with one disk will confirm the latter, for the former check the cabels type, they must be forward breakout, reverse breakout look the same but won't work, of course it can also be a controller problem with the ports, but that's much less likely.

[Hadi]

I see. It is a small PSU I am using so maybe power is not enough. I am using these cables to connect the drives:
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/dp/B07B9SBSVW?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

Is it an issue if I use the controller and the SATA connectors on the MB?

[JorgeB]

Stupid question but I saw this happen before, you are connecting power to those cables correct?

[Hadi]

Not a stupid question ❤️ But yes it has a sata connection. However I dont recall if the logs I sent to you was with the HDD turned on or off as I was only focusing on the controller. I have uploaded the diagnostics again, with the HDD turned on with sata power and is connected to the Controller.

salamehplex-diagnostics-20230918-2003.zip

[JorgeB]

Nothing detected, did you test with a molex to SATA adapter like mentioned above to rule out the 3.3v issue?

[Hadi]

Nope not yet. I wanted to test the other stuff first as I don't have that adapter so I need to order it first

[Hadi]

@JorgeB The molex trick did it. But how can I make the regular sata cable work with it?

[ChatNoir]

46 minutes ago, Hadi said:

@JorgeB The molex trick did it. But how can I make the regular sata cable work with it?

The goal is not to provide 3.3V to the drive, people tend to use one of those 3 options :

1. use Molex to SATA adapters
2. use Kapton tape on the 3.3V contact on the drive to prevent the issue (one example of tutorial : https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Fix-the-33V-Pin-Issue-in-White-Label-Disks-/ )
3. cut the 3.3V cable on the power SATA cable (not sure which one it is myself)

I prefer #1 but already used #2 on some drives. I don't love #3 myself but some seem to chose that route.

[Hadi]

@ChatNoir
Sure. 2 questions: Do you by any chance have a tutorial for sas drives, or is it the same?

How can I know before buying the hdd if I am going to face the same issue?

Edited November 24, 2023 by Hadi

[ChatNoir]

I don't know much about SAS drives.

As for knowing in advance if the drive will have that, I can't say either. From what I read here, I think it is part of the SATA spec for some usecase, not sure the manufacturer indicate that on the specsheet.