9.3.1 Update with alert Firmware version 16 does not match driver version 20 for /dev/mps0

[BigDave]

Would be nice to have an "official" word on this. I'm running the SM 20.00.02.00 firmware presently without issue but if there is some sort of problem it would be nice to know what the fix is. I understand that the controller on the X10SL7-F is the same as the Avago but who knows what sort of BIOS changes (if any?) are needed to implement different controller firmware versions.

I'm right there with you Brother. If I was dealing with the onboard 2308 (thankful I'm not) I would wait
for Supermicro to update to 20.00.04 before going with 9.3.1
I just fail to see the advantage of the risk vs. reward at this point.

 

[msbxa]

The question is how long can we wait for Supermicro to update to 20.00.04?

 

[AndreStarTrek]

The question is how long can we wait for Supermicro to update to 20.00.04?

Don't know, but for me as long as needed. I am not taking any risk.

 

[cyberjock]

Would be nice to have an "official" word on this. I'm running the SM 20.00.02.00 firmware presently without issue but if there is some sort of problem it would be nice to know what the fix is. I understand that the controller on the X10SL7-F is the same as the Avago but who knows what sort of BIOS changes (if any?) are needed to implement different controller firmware versions.

I already commented on using the 20.00.04.00 firmware and not using 20.00.02.00 stuff. I'm confused on what you are confused about. Can you elaborate?

 

[Jailer]

Your post seemed more like a passing comment than an official "don't use it". Guess I'll re flash back to P16 and roll back FreeNAS until SM comes out with the newer firmware unless you think flashing the on board controller on X10SL7-F with the 20.00.04.00 from Avago is safe to do.

 

[cyberjock]

Your post seemed more like a passing comment than an official "don't use it". Guess I'll re flash back to P16 and roll back FreeNAS until SM comes out with the newer firmware unless you think flashing the on board controller on X10SL7-F with the 20.00.04.00 from Avago is safe to do.

iXsystems doesn't make public statements about things like this. I said it only because I have inside info. iXsystems, by the virtue of not having total control of all of the hardware that FreeNAS runs on, prefers to be silent and let things go "as they may".

So take it like this. Internally, at iXsystems, we don't use anything except 20.00.04.00 because of the known problems. TrueNAS systems have their own auto-updater for the LSI firmware, and it updates to 20.00.04.

So you have the potential to use 20.00.02, but *I* personally wouldn't recommend you use it because of my information on the topic.

Likewise, you can choose to update LSI controllers that are on Supermicro motherboards with LSI firmware equivalents, or you can simply wait for Supermicro firmware to be released. The downside to using LSI firmware is that you'll lose the ability to identify the Supermicro brand cards forever (well, without some real work to bring it back).

LSI controllers get their identity from the firmware. So if you flash generic LSI firmware, you'll have a card that thinks (and behaves) like generic LSI firmware for the specific card firmware you flashed.

Here at iXsystems, the TrueNAS systems are updated with LSI firmware for the onboard systems. Here's the conversion we use:

LSI 2308 controllers on Supermicro boards are reflashed with 9207-8i
LSI 2008 controllers on Supermicro boards are reflashed with 9211-8i

Note that this is proven to work on TrueNAS hardware. Your hardware may or may not work properly with this firmware change. Frankly, it may even break the LSI controller in some permanent, unrecoverable fashion.

The conservative answer is that if you are using a Supermicro brand motherboard with on-board LSI and you don't want to take a little risk with using LSI firmware, then you should contact Supermicro and let them know you want 20.00.04.00 firmware and for them to make it publicly available. I have talked to AsRock Rack on behalf of FreeNAS users and they are working on a P20.00.04 that is compatible with FreeNAS 9.3.1. I can expect that if customers contact Supermicro that Supermicro would make it available also.

I'm still on 9.3.0 just because I've been too busy to care about upgrading my primary server. My Mini is on 9.3.1 though. I don't feel like 9.3.1 is so critical that you should spend too much time worrying about being on a previous release unless you have some bugs that are fixed in 9.3.1.

HTH.

 

[Jailer]

That helps a lot and thank you for taking the time to post it.

you should contact Supermicro and let them know you want 20.00.04.00 firmware

Done

 

[Sir.Robin]

The downside to using LSI firmware is that you'll lose the ability to identify the Supermicro brand cards forever (well, without some real work to bring it back).
HTH.

whaat? can't u just flash it back? [emoji15]


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[fullspeed]

Only a few months ago I flashed my LSI9206 cards to P16 to match Freenas (which fixed my issue). Now I have to flash them back.

I have a spare card that is P20 still so I'll test it by swapping straight up on one of my less important servers.

 

[Jailer]

That helps a lot and thank you for taking the time to post it.


Done

Wow, that was fast! Got an email response: "It’s not officially released but it’s available in below link" with an ftp link to the files. I've attached the file to this response with the file extension changed to .pdf so it would upload. Change the file extension to .zip and extract the files and you're GTG.

Again just for clarity this is the latest P20 IT firmware for the X10SL7-F.

From the release notes

Code:

Aug., 2015
Revision 4.0


Firmware Name
---------------
2308T204.ROM


Firmware Version
------------------
20.00.04.00


NVDATA Version
------------------
14.01.30.16


OPROM Version
------------------
7.39.00.00


Firmware Update History
-------------------------
1. Persistent bit off
2. Fix PCIe link timeout
3. Fix NCQ I/O error messages
4. fix SATA drives poor performance issue

How to Flash Firmware
-------------------------
1. Under DOS, run SMC2308T.bat

 

[Mr_N]

yeah i got the following responses from Supermicro also:

"PH20.0.4 is being validate so should release soon. Do you have need for an update now?"

"From what I heard, there is supposed to be a bug fix to resolve a performance issue."

 

[emptyBox]

Thanks jailer,
I updated to 20.0.0.2, didn't have any problems, but after reading CJ's comment, I decided it would just be better to get in touch with Supermicro to find out what's up with .04 version. I am still waiting their reply, but grabbed your upload and so far so good.

I suppose I will watch the change log when SM actually release .04 from testing to see if this version changes after it's release.

 

[PenalunWil]

Hi Jailer

Wow, that was fast! Got an email response: "It’s not officially released but it’s available in below link" with an ftp link to the files. I've attached the file to this response with the file extension changed to .pdf so it would upload. Change the file extension to .zip and extract the files and you're GTG.

You say "Its not officially released but it's available in below link".

I find that confusing as either SM has officially released it or they haven't. Did SM release this 20.00.04.00 version for FreeNAS use to you without completely testing it?

Have you used it and if so what was the outcome?

I would like to flash the LSI on my X10 but would prefer if things were a little more official.

As far as I can tell the IT firmware on their official ftp://ftp.... site is still version 20.00.02.00

Wil

 

[Sir.Robin]

i think you confuse yourself. [emoji205] just install it and be done with it already.


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[PenalunWil]

i think you confuse yourself. [emoji205] just install it and be done with it already.


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Thanks SR... Your right... I'm confused as hell... Anyone reading this thread as a noob must be really scratching their head in places :D I'll take the plunge and get it done as you suggest.

Thanks again.


Wil

 

[emptyBox]

The .02 version is the "official" version for Supermicro. But a lot of companies have updates to their software, but do not provide access to it unless the end user has a specific need. They aren't the only ones, lots of manufacturer's do similar. Netgear readily comes to mind. It keeps control of what software end users have access to, and keeps support costs down.

From the response Mr_N got, it seems this version of the FW is in validation, so it's actually release could be soon, or not. I know Netgear releases into the wild take quite some time.

I flashed the file from Jailer several hours ago, and I didnt' brick my box. However I've been running .02 version since a 2 weeks or so after the Freenas 9.3.1 was released without problems. After reading CJ's statement I decided it was time to look for version .04.

You can email Supermicro to see if they will send you a link, to the version in validation, but it might change before it is actually released. I emailed them yesterday, still haven't heard anything though.

 

[Jailer]

Have you used it and if so what was the outcome?

Haven't had a chance yet, will likely get to it this weekend.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this up as official at some point. As @emptyBox said it's not unusual for it to take a bit to get things out in the wild for some companies.

 

[maglin]

Just updated and Flashed P20 with MPT and UEFI BIOS using UEFI sas2flash and files from LSI. No issues and my Pools attached with no issues.

 

[Hobbel]

I got a response from supermicro for my AOC-2308L-L8E and I was told to download the firmware from a private ftp. Changelog:

Code:

---------------------------------------------
SAS2308IT Controller Firmware Release Note
---------------------------------------------


Firmware Version: 20.00.04.00
NVDATA Version: 14.01.10.01
OPROM Version: 7.39.00.00


Firmware Update History
-------------------------
1. Persistent bit off
2. Fix PCIe link timeout
3. Fix NCQ I/O error messages


How to Flash Firmware
-------------------------
option 1: boot into DOS, run SMC2308T.bat
option 2: boot into UEFI, run SMC2308T.NSH

---------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2015, Super Micro Computer. Inc, All rights reserved

 

[HardChargin]

i think you confuse yourself. [emoji205] just install it and be done with it already.


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@Sir.Robin LOL, love it! The "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" approach. For the faint of heart, have a good data backup ;)

Hopefully I wont eat my words, but enough people seem to be running .02 without issue (or so it seems), so I've been feeling pretty confident in .02 or this version of .04. Besides, someone has to beta test, take one for the team. :)