#10862: Update mpr driver to version 9

[TXAG26]

Regarding the latest FreeNAS update that now includes MPR Driver v9, has anyone updated their SAS3 controllers to p9 to kick the tires? It also looks like the tried and true SAS2 p16 controllers will need to be updated to p20 with this latest v9.3.1 update as well.

 

[depasseg]

I will soon. Work keeps getting in the way though.

 

[cyberjock]

I don't know anyone that's tried the new mpr stuff. I'm staying on 9.3.0 for a little while though. Not because I expect problems but because I'm in the process of moving and so I'd rather keep everything static until I'm sure there are no problems related to moving. :P

 

[depasseg]

Just so I'm clear - p9 = PH8-9.00 right?

ftp://ftp.supermicro.com/driver/SAS/LSI/3008/Driver

 

[depasseg]

And @cyberjock and @jkh - does the same logic apply here as it does with the p16 and p20 conversation here and here? Meaning, is it ok to upgrade to 9.3.1 with the p9 driver but still run my 3008 with p6 firmware?

Also, it sounds like the p20 driver got a nice long soak in the nightlies, does the 3008 have a similar history of successful testing?

 

[TXAG26]

Just so I'm clear - p9 = PH8-9.00 right?

ftp://ftp.supermicro.com/driver/SAS/LSI/3008/Driver

View attachment 8511

Thanks for posting this. I have this same question.

 

[cyberjock]

And @cyberjock and @jkh - does the same logic apply here as it does with the p16 and p20 conversation here and here? Meaning, is it ok to upgrade to 9.3.1 with the p9 driver but still run my 3008 with p6 firmware?

Also, it sounds like the p20 driver got a nice long soak in the nightlies, does the 3008 have a similar history of successful testing?

Honestly, I don't have good info on the mpr driver and such. In terms of the FreeNAS/TrueNAS experience, there's so few people using that newer tech that even if I had info that someone had used it without problems, I would probably add that not enough datapoints exist to truly call it 'safe to use'.

 

[Ericloewe]

P9 is the first version to have the potential to be more than experimental. I'd stick to conservative solutions until there's more data, which probably means Cyberjock's process from the mps thread.

That said, most SAS issues (mps or mpr) only occur after prolonged use, so a brief period with a mismatch is unlikely to cause trouble. The exact likelihood is unknown and will be until there is more data.

 

[TXAG26]

Honestly, I don't have good info on the mpr driver and such. In terms of the FreeNAS/TrueNAS experience, there's so few people using that newer tech that even if I had info that someone had used it without problems, I would probably add that not enough datapoints exist to truly call it 'safe to use'.

I have a LSI 3008 onboard, but am currently using a LSI 2308 PCIe card. Is there any specific testing that I could perform to maybe start validating the P9 firmware? I'd be open to trying some stuff out since I am virtualized.

 

[Ericloewe]

It's mostly about using it in your environment and making sure that everything works, performance is as expected, etc.

 

[depasseg]

Looks like the supermicro firmware is still a version behind (the latest is v8 from Jul 2015). Any idea if I can use the LSI 9300 firmware to update on the on-board 3008?

I used ftp://ftp.supermicro.com/driver/SAS/LSI/3008/Firmware/3008_FW_PH8_072015.zip

Code:

[root@freenas1] ~# sas3flash -list
Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
Version 10.00.00.01 (2015.06.18)
Copyright 2008-2015 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.

        Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)

        Controller Number              : 0
        Controller                     : SAS3008(C0)
        PCI Address                    : 00:01:00:00
        SAS Address                    : 5003048-0-1234-5678
        NVDATA Version (Default)       : 07.01.30.24
        NVDATA Version (Persistent)    : 07.01.30.24
        Firmware Product ID            : 0x2221 (IT)
        Firmware Version               : 08.00.00.00
        NVDATA Vendor                  : LSI
        NVDATA Product ID              : LSI3008-IT
        BIOS Version                   : 08.17.00.00
        UEFI BSD Version               : 09.00.00.00
        FCODE Version                  : N/A
        Board Name                     : LSI3008-IT
        Board Assembly                 : N/A
        Board Tracer Number            : N/A

        Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
        Exiting SAS3Flash.
[root@freenas1] ~# 

 

[Ericloewe]

Any idea if I can use the LSI 9300 firmware to update on the on-board 3008?

Nobody's tried it with X10SL7-Fs and the SAS 2308, so I'd be surprised if someone had done it with the SAS3008.

 

[depasseg]

Thanks Eric. I'll ask Supermicro for an update.

 

[TXAG26]

I haven't flashed the onboard SAS3008 either because of the older firmware on SM's website. It will be great to hear what SM comes back with. Please keep us updated on what they tell you.

 

[depasseg]

I heard back from SuperMicro support. They confirmed that Version 9 is going through validation testing in the lab now. No ETA could be given though. :-(

 

[TXAG26]

I heard back from SuperMicro support. They confirmed that Version 9 is going through validation testing in the lab now. No ETA could be given though. :-(

Thanks for the update. I'm pleasantly surprised that SM is doing certain validation testing. Their tests are probably focusing on compatability with backplanes and such, but anything that puts the firmware through its paces is a good thing.

 

[depasseg]

It is goodness, except for the fact that there is a ~3 month lag.

 

[depasseg]

Phase 10 was uploaded today!
ftp ://ftp.supermicro.com/driver/SAS/LSI/3008/Firmware/

 

[TXAG26]

I heard back from SuperMicro support. They confirmed that Version 9 is going through validation testing in the lab now. No ETA could be given though. :-(

Damnit! Supermicro leap-frogged PH9, which if I'm not mistaken, is the version in FreeNAS 9.3.1. Today, Supermicro released PH10...

So we have a PH8 and a PH10 from Supermicro and a PH9 driver in FreeNAS.
@cyberjock - Any ideas???

 

[depasseg]

PH10 is likely version 9, or so things have been in the past.

edit: Nope. Just looked at the release notes. It's version 10. I've reached out to SuperMicro to ask for version 9 (or a reason to avoid it).