I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to this question, but I'm hoping to get some insight from anyone else with this config.
I picked up a brand new, unused 36TB (12 x 3TB) PowerVault MD1200t for a steal ($1000), but I didn't have a card. Like a fool, I picked up an H800 from Ebay without even considering that it likely didn't do JBOD. When I realized it didn't support JBOD, I went off in search of the firmware to cross-flash it to whatever LSI variant the chipset was made for. Unfortunately, it seems like even the chipset itself doesn't support JBOD, so I'm in need of a new adapter. I ordered an LSI 9207-8e for now, since it was cheap ($37 shipped), but I'm not sure if that's the best choice. I can use the card in another system, so if anyone has a better recommendation, please shoot.
I still have a few questions, however:
1) Is there is anything particular I have to do to get this up in FreeNAS, or will the drives be presented to FreeNAS just like they do when connected to a cross-flashed H200 in IT mode?
2) This is a dumb one, but I can't find the answer to it. The MD1200t came with two external SAS cables. The H800 has two ports (as does the LSI). Do use both ports on the card connected to both "IN" ports on the two controllers? I'm pretty sure I want the MD1200 in "unified" mode, but all I have to go off of are the Dell diagrams, which always show it connected to an H800 (vs an LSI 9207-8e).
Thanks!
I picked up a brand new, unused 36TB (12 x 3TB) PowerVault MD1200t for a steal ($1000), but I didn't have a card. Like a fool, I picked up an H800 from Ebay without even considering that it likely didn't do JBOD. When I realized it didn't support JBOD, I went off in search of the firmware to cross-flash it to whatever LSI variant the chipset was made for. Unfortunately, it seems like even the chipset itself doesn't support JBOD, so I'm in need of a new adapter. I ordered an LSI 9207-8e for now, since it was cheap ($37 shipped), but I'm not sure if that's the best choice. I can use the card in another system, so if anyone has a better recommendation, please shoot.
I still have a few questions, however:
1) Is there is anything particular I have to do to get this up in FreeNAS, or will the drives be presented to FreeNAS just like they do when connected to a cross-flashed H200 in IT mode?
2) This is a dumb one, but I can't find the answer to it. The MD1200t came with two external SAS cables. The H800 has two ports (as does the LSI). Do use both ports on the card connected to both "IN" ports on the two controllers? I'm pretty sure I want the MD1200 in "unified" mode, but all I have to go off of are the Dell diagrams, which always show it connected to an H800 (vs an LSI 9207-8e).
Thanks!