I'm definitely not familiar with linux and am pretty new to unraid, so I'll start with my configuration:

 

I am using an Acer Easystore H340 as the main server box.  There are 4 internal sata ports which work fine.  I've attached a Mediasonic 4-bay SATA/USB enclosure (HF2-SU2S2) and the first drive is recognized just fine.  However, unraid and linux (by printing /proc/partitions) won't recognize more than 1 drive.

 

I thought perhaps there was an issue with port multiplier, but most reports online seem to indicate that the H340 supports port multiplier just fine.  In fact, some people confirm that it works just fine with this particular enclosure ie.,:

http://forum.wegotserved.com/index.php?/topic/8171-acer-h340-esata-supports-port-multiplier/ 

 

I've also tried plugging it into the H340/unraid via usb, and still only get 1 drive recognized so I can't see how it would be a port multiplier issue.

 

I've plugged the enclosure into a Win7 laptop via usb, and more than 1 drive is recognized.  I don't have a laptop with a sata port to try it on but I think it is safe to assume that the enclosure is not defective.

 

I wonder if it is possible that it is a driver issue with linux.  My understanding is not great enough to know if I can even upgrade the driver for the controller if I were to find one.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

I wonder if it is possible that it is a driver issue with linux.  My understanding is not great enough to know if I can even upgrade the driver for the controller if I were to find one.

 

Yes, it sounds like a driver issue with linux, the chipset and port multipler support for that chipset.

When the first drive is recognized file and the other drives are not it's an issue with port multiplier support for that chipset.

See the wiki on posting your syslog and we can take a look at it.

 

Port multiplier support works well with the Silicon Image chipset.

I've tested with the Marvel Chipset with "some" success and the JMB363 Chipset with some success.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Weebotech, I'd appreciate your help.

 

I did a fresh reboot and have pasted the log here: http://www.pastebin.ca/1642806

 

Any help you can offer would be great.

 

In doing my research I came across this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Marvell_Technology_Group_chipsets#Linux_SATA_driver which includes a link to Marvell linux driver materials.  As I mentioned I don't know much about linux but thought I'd paste it just in case it helps.  If I am not mistaken the controller on the H340 is a Marvell.

 

Thanks!

I cannot tell what the hardware is. The earlier part of the syslog is not present.

From what I read on newegg the controller is an Intel 945GC Express Chipset + ICH7R not a marvel.

Maybe you could repost the whole syslog.

Sorry about that, not sure what happened- but here is the whole syslog (I hope).

 

http://pastebin.ca/1643870

 

I've seen references to ICH7R as well, but also saw people talking about updating Marvell drivers.  Maybe they were talking LAN not sata...

 

Cheers.

Just a quick followup, some more googling indicates that the internal SATA controller is the Intel ICH74, but the external is a Marvell 6121.  For example:

 

http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.home-server-blog.de/2009/05/18/testbericht-acer-aspire-easystore-h430-teil-2-hardware-und-messwerte/&ei=8sXlSvuaMIz6sQOv0ey_Aw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBwQ7gEwAg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dh340%2Bmarvell%2Bich%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3DZg7

 

Hopefully that helps...

The kernel driver does not seem to support PMP mode on that controller at this time.

Maybe there is something in the bios that needs to be enabled.

 

Oct 25 17:03:49 Jewnas kernel: ahci 0000:0a:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 17 (level, low) -> IRQ 17

Oct 25 17:03:49 Jewnas kernel: ahci 0000:0a:00.0: controller can't do NCQ, turning off CAP_NCQ

Oct 25 17:03:49 Jewnas kernel: ahci 0000:0a:00.0: controller can't do PMP, turning off CAP_PMP

Oct 25 17:03:49 Jewnas kernel: ahci 0000:0a:00.0: MV_AHCI HACK: port_map 7 -> 3

Oct 25 17:03:49 Jewnas kernel: ahci 0000:0a:00.0: Disabling your PATA port. Use the boot option 'ahci.marvell_enable=0' to avoid this.

Oct 25 17:03:49 Jewnas kernel: ahci 0000:0a:00.0: AHCI 0001.0000 32 slots 3 ports 3 Gbps 0x3 impl IDE mode

Oct 25 17:03:49 Jewnas kernel: ahci 0000:0a:00.0: flags: 64bit stag led slum part

Oct 25 17:03:49 Jewnas kernel: ahci 0000:0a:00.0: setting latency timer to 64

Unfortunately accessing the bios is a tricky ordeal- the H340 doesn't have a vga output and I don't have access to a PCI-E video card.

 

Would popping in a new controller card (PCI-e) be a workable solution?  I would imagine they're not terribly expensive.  Is it "plug and play", ie., would I simply plug in a (compatible) controller card, reboot and have multiple drives recognized in unraid?

 

Otherwise, is there a way to change the kernel driver so that it supports PMP mode? (sorry, again, not familiar with linux)

 

Thanks.

I suppose you could pop in a Silicon Image 3132, but I do not know if it will fit or how you could access it externally.

 

There were some messages I read saying that Port multipler support was not working correctly for the Marvel 6121, but you also may need to just enable AHCI in the bios.

It could also be that a later kernel will support PMP on that controller just fine.

For example:

http://www.iogear.com/product/GICe711S3/

 

This seems to use the Silicon Image chipset.  Would I be in good shape if I picked one of these up?

 

Or this?

 

http://www.startech.com/Share/ProductSpecs/PDF/PEXESATA1.pdf

 

Thanks!

Sorry- I was responding while you were.

Measure if they fit. Then consider how to run a cable or access the eSATA port.

 

Frankly, I probably would not do it.

Just a quick follow up on this in case anyone is interested.

 

I've confirmed the H340 onboard sata port does not work in unRAID with more than 1 drive installed (port multiplier).  I suppose one day the driver might be part of the kernel but for now it is not (I even tried the latest beta).

 

I exchanged my Mediasonic enclosure for a Sans Digital TR4M-B TowerRAID which includes a 2 port e-sata PCI-e card, featuring a low-profile bracket.  I plugged this into the H340, rebooted and voila- port multiplier works fine.  I've got 2 drives being added to unRAID shortly.

 

Thanks for the help Weebo.

Did you ever try adding more than 2 drives to your Sans Digital TR4M-B, and if so, what was the performance like?