Question RAID disk error ?

[Scotch Egg 71]

I have recently acquired 8 x SAS 2TB hard drives and thought I would add them to my existing home server which is mainly for plex, the hard drive models are ST2000NM0001 and my RAID card is an Adaptec ASR-76105 with SFF-8643 cables. I can only initialize one of the drives, within the drive utilities on the card it lists all the drives as follows.

CN0 Dev 00 SEAGATE ST2000NMCL PS10 6.0G 1.8TB
CN0 Dev 01 SEAGATE ST2000NMCL PS10 6.0G 1.8TB
CN0 Dev 02 SEAGATE ST2000NMCL PS10 6.0G 1.8TB
CN0 Dev 03 SEAGATE ST2000NM00 XRBA 6.0G 1.8TB ( working )

When trying to initialize the drives they are as follows.

CN0 Dev 03 SEAGATE ST200 1860GB ( working )
Bx00:Slt00 0KB
Bx00:Slt00 0KB
Bx00:Slt00 0KB

The model number on the drives themselves are ST2000NM0001 but there is a sticker on them one is ST2000NM0001 which works and the rest ST2000NMCLAR2000 which do not work.

Can anyone explain / help please.

 

[Misgar]

I have recently acquired 8 SAS 2tb hard drives and thought I would add them to my existing home server

Been there, done that with eight HP 2TB SAS drives and TrueNAS core in RAID-Z2.

I think your problem might be you're using a controller with RAID firmware when you should be using a card with IT-mode (Initiator Target) firmware.

Chances are your Adaptec card can't be flashed with IT firmware. If this is the case, buy a cheap LSI card, but make sure it's set to IT-mode, not IR-mode.

https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...and-hba-complete-listing-plus-oem-models.599/

IT firmware sends all commands through to the drives and returns responses back to the OS transparently. Hardware RAID "hides" the drives from the OS. You might get your Adapatec RAID card to work if you set up eight RAID0 arrays, with a single drive in each array.

There are dozens of different LSI cards, but you'll need one with 2 x SFF8087 ports, plus a couple of SFF8087 to SAS forward breakout cables. Do not get reverse breakout cables.

I prefer second-hand server "pulls" because they tend to be genuine LSI cards. You can find loads of clones on Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, etc., which will probably be just as good. Just make sure it says IT-mode in the description, not RAID.

Note: This advert shows SATA connectors on the cables, but it illustrates the concept. With SAS drives, the data and power connectors are contiguous. With SATA, there's a gap between data and power. Don't try to mix SAS and SATA drives on the same controller.

https://www.amazon.com/SXTAIGOOD-9211-8i-6Gbps-HBA-LSI/dp/B0BWY1VH3V?crid=3J4H8Y1LQHGRN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CxjVYUQoqPD7fDKl8Hnp-Y8nj2oTOGnhmDtUZtB6nRdYe6ySdmv61BeLDlISe0jzPMcQIcQDMTuEkpDIE2Y_lGQ03_twlssoRf8C4DTC0wq9rgUKFuYQbmDEWLfVNyj0wVE3LpTplybeyHHNocZRTTEb-iv9adghQ-QMCg6t2HxA57lE9gp-d71Ty93Kar0Bd5zAwFJL07GSChGlY_jYbQEJqNbAH_65MDRRUSuAHB8.kAO3NBH0LrcIALSSSNusgfFua0yjfjz1uvYLxE36_mM&dib_tag=se&keywords=lsi+9201-8i+raid+controller+card+it+mode&qid=1740251568&sprefix=lsi+9201-8i+raid+controller+card+it+mode,aps,132&sr=8-6

 

[Scotch Egg 71]

Been there, done that with eight HP 2TB SAS drives and TrueNAS core in RAID-Z2.

I think your problem might be you're using a controller with RAID firmware when you should be using a card with IT-mode (Initiator Target) firmware.

Chances are your Adaptec card can't be flashed with IT firmware. If this is the case, buy a cheap LSI card, but make sure it's set to IT-mode, not IR-mode.

https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...and-hba-complete-listing-plus-oem-models.599/

IT firmware sends all commands through to the drives and returns responses back to the OS transparently. Hardware RAID "hides" the drives from the OS. You might get your Adapatec RAID card to work if you set up eight RAID0 arrays, with a single drive in each array.

There are dozens of different LSI cards, but you'll need one with 2 x SFF8087 ports, plus a couple of SFF8087 to SAS forward breakout cables. Do not get reverse breakout cables.

I prefer second-hand server "pulls" because they tend to be genuine LSI cards. You can find loads of clones on Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, etc., which will probably be just as good. Just make sure it says IT-mode in the description, not RAID.

Note: This advert shows SATA connectors on the cables, but it illustrates the concept. With SAS drives, the data and power connectors are contiguous. With SATA, there's a gap between data and power. Don't try to mix SAS and SATA drives on the same controller.

https://www.amazon.com/SXTAIGOOD-9211-8i-6Gbps-HBA-LSI/dp/B0BWY1VH3V?crid=3J4H8Y1LQHGRN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CxjVYUQoqPD7fDKl8Hnp-Y8nj2oTOGnhmDtUZtB6nRdYe6ySdmv61BeLDlISe0jzPMcQIcQDMTuEkpDIE2Y_lGQ03_twlssoRf8C4DTC0wq9rgUKFuYQbmDEWLfVNyj0wVE3LpTplybeyHHNocZRTTEb-iv9adghQ-QMCg6t2HxA57lE9gp-d71Ty93Kar0Bd5zAwFJL07GSChGlY_jYbQEJqNbAH_65MDRRUSuAHB8.kAO3NBH0LrcIALSSSNusgfFua0yjfjz1uvYLxE36_mM&dib_tag=se&keywords=lsi+9201-8i+raid+controller+card+it+mode&qid=1740251568&sprefix=lsi+9201-8i+raid+controller+card+it+mode,aps,132&sr=8-6

Is there a way to change these drives back to ST2000NM0001 which works? I don't understand why the serial number on the drive is different to what it shows in the drive utilities.

 

[Scotch Egg 71]

Been there, done that with eight HP 2TB SAS drives and TrueNAS core in RAID-Z2.

I think your problem might be you're using a controller with RAID firmware when you should be using a card with IT-mode (Initiator Target) firmware.

Chances are your Adaptec card can't be flashed with IT firmware. If this is the case, buy a cheap LSI card, but make sure it's set to IT-mode, not IR-mode.

https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...and-hba-complete-listing-plus-oem-models.599/

IT firmware sends all commands through to the drives and returns responses back to the OS transparently. Hardware RAID "hides" the drives from the OS. You might get your Adapatec RAID card to work if you set up eight RAID0 arrays, with a single drive in each array.

There are dozens of different LSI cards, but you'll need one with 2 x SFF8087 ports, plus a couple of SFF8087 to SAS forward breakout cables. Do not get reverse breakout cables.

I prefer second-hand server "pulls" because they tend to be genuine LSI cards. You can find loads of clones on Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, etc., which will probably be just as good. Just make sure it says IT-mode in the description, not RAID.

Note: This advert shows SATA connectors on the cables, but it illustrates the concept. With SAS drives, the data and power connectors are contiguous. With SATA, there's a gap between data and power. Don't try to mix SAS and SATA drives on the same controller.

https://www.amazon.com/SXTAIGOOD-9211-8i-6Gbps-HBA-LSI/dp/B0BWY1VH3V?crid=3J4H8Y1LQHGRN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CxjVYUQoqPD7fDKl8Hnp-Y8nj2oTOGnhmDtUZtB6nRdYe6ySdmv61BeLDlISe0jzPMcQIcQDMTuEkpDIE2Y_lGQ03_twlssoRf8C4DTC0wq9rgUKFuYQbmDEWLfVNyj0wVE3LpTplybeyHHNocZRTTEb-iv9adghQ-QMCg6t2HxA57lE9gp-d71Ty93Kar0Bd5zAwFJL07GSChGlY_jYbQEJqNbAH_65MDRRUSuAHB8.kAO3NBH0LrcIALSSSNusgfFua0yjfjz1uvYLxE36_mM&dib_tag=se&keywords=lsi+9201-8i+raid+controller+card+it+mode&qid=1740251568&sprefix=lsi+9201-8i+raid+controller+card+it+mode,aps,132&sr=8-6

Hi again, I have just read that SFF8643 are just newer versions of SFF8087 and are electrically compatible and as I already have these would they work on the card you suggested?

 

[Misgar]

Is there a way to change these drives back to ST2000NM0001 which works?

Probably not unless you fancy reprogramming the firmware in the drives, assuming this is even possible or sensible. Leave them as they are.

Provided the drives can be tested and shown to work normally, I wouldn't be too worried about mixing a bunch of drives with different part numbers on a home NAS.

Hi again, I have just read that SFF8643 are just newer versions of SFF8087 and are electrically compatible and as I already have these would they work on the card you suggested?

SFF8643 is a merely a connector type. Presumably it's the one fitted to your Adaptec card. My LSI cards use a different connector type SFF8087. They may be the same electrically, but obviously they're not physically compatible. If you buy a different controller card and it has SFF8087, you'll need to buy new leads.

This Reddit post implies there may be an HBA (Host Bus Adapter) option for the ASR-7160S. If you do some on-line research, you might be able to find some firmware to reflash the card from RAID to HBA, but you could end up "bricking" the card. Flashing cards can be simple or very difficult.
https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/comments/oaf65e/adaptec_asr71605_any_good/

Some HP RAID controllers have a "pass-through" option, which can be invoked by running special (hard to find) software on a proprietary (HP) DVD. Switching the card's firmware from RAID to HBA makes it similar to IT-mode.

The net result is I switched a built-in HP RAID controller over to HBA which made it possible to run a ZFS operating system, but pkease note HP's HBA is not true IT-mode. The purists would argue I should have reflashed the card to IT-mode or fitted an LSI card. There might be a similar option to disable RAID on your Adaptec card.

Getting back to your problem, I think the easiest solution is to buy a "proper" LSI IT-mode card so you could check your "suspect" drives. I'd stick with SAS2 controllers (6Gb/s) although you probably wouldn't notice any difference with an older SAS1 card (3Gb/s). SAS3 (12GB/s) would be a waste of money with 2TB hard disks but would come into its own with faster SSD arrays.

This card on eBay appears to be a genuine LSI 9207-8i (second hand OEM) card. Consider also 9211-8i. I've no idea if you live in the US, Europe, Australia or Inner Mongolia, but you could do worse than check your local eBay or equivalent. The thing to note is where it says "IT mode, ZFS, FreeNAS, unRAID". Don't buy the version (9207-8e?) with RAID firmware.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1433750902...qGfB4nkXfFFWFyWEwygidGOWg=|tkp:BlBMUIqx-qqmZQ


If your SAS drives have a contiguous data/power connector like the ST2000NM0001 shown below, you won't be able to fit any of the commonly available SFF8087 to quad SATA cables bundled with many cards. They're intended for people using ordinary SATA drives with a SAS card.

What you need instead is something like this where you can plug a standard SATA power connector into the rear of each SAS adapter:-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/YIWENTEC-SFF-8087-SFF-8482-Connectors-Power/dp/B07MXWB6S2?th=1

 

[evermorex76]

It might be those drives are for EMC only. This listing shows these drives are EMC-only firmware, and all other results for this model say EMC-only. I doubt you'll be able to modify the firmware of the drives.

https://www.amazon.com/ST2000NMCLAR2000-Enterprise-Enclosure-firmware-Replacement/dp/B0CK4YN3V9

 

[Scotch Egg 71]

Probably not unless you fancy reprogramming the firmware in the drives, assuming this is even possible or sensible. Leave them as they are.

Provided the drives can be tested and shown to work normally, I wouldn't be too worried about mixing a bunch of drives with different part numbers on a home NAS.



SFF8643 is a merely a connector type. Presumably it's the one fitted to your Adaptec card. My LSI cards use a different connector type SFF8087. They may be the same electrically, but obviously they're not physically compatible. If you buy a different controller card and it has SFF8087, you'll need to buy new leads.

This Reddit post implies there may be an HBA (Host Bus Adapter) option for the ASR-7160S. If you do some on-line research, you might be able to find some firmware to reflash the card from RAID to HBA, but you could end up "bricking" the card. Flashing cards can be simple or very difficult.
https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/comments/oaf65e/adaptec_asr71605_any_good/

Some HP RAID controllers have a "pass-through" option, which can be invoked by running special (hard to find) software on a proprietary (HP) DVD. Switching the card's firmware from RAID to HBA makes it similar to IT-mode.

The net result is I switched a built-in HP RAID controller over to HBA which made it possible to run a ZFS operating system, but pkease note HP's HBA is not true IT-mode. The purists would argue I should have reflashed the card to IT-mode or fitted an LSI card. There might be a similar option to disable RAID on your Adaptec card.

Getting back to your problem, I think the easiest solution is to buy a "proper" LSI IT-mode card so you could check your "suspect" drives. I'd stick with SAS2 controllers (6Gb/s) although you probably wouldn't notice any difference with an older SAS1 card (3Gb/s). SAS3 (12GB/s) would be a waste of money with 2TB hard disks but would come into its own with faster SSD arrays.

This card on eBay appears to be a genuine LSI 9207-8i (second hand OEM) card. Consider also 9211-8i. I've no idea if you live in the US, Europe, Australia or Inner Mongolia, but you could do worse than check your local eBay or equivalent. The thing to note is where it says "IT mode, ZFS, FreeNAS, unRAID". Don't buy the version (9207-8e?) with RAID firmware.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143375090253?_skw=lsi+sas+9211-8i&itmmeta=01JMSAYK1VN4PCV60GB7WRY171&hash=item2161d2424d:g:f2EAAOSwIuNhlfE1&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dmtUlMz/FnFHPm/MdwlgcmhA+sKR8PFv1GC51U9oggLiRt7IcEapb87hSzLYHk2h05sv/p3gCbK3wVwHoRL6pLojkia8DtFzn5vxBAFL6Pjqyy20HEliVnsjb8X/d2naGfFkoXXH8Onubx3CBGboSf3sBDC2KwMBCQtDWF9Y8cYXa2WB+KzYMGTXt2NaD/5lfUHPqCL4u9oXV+44UPjuVgzOCYKzwZEFItwR4/REqGfB4nkXfFFWFyWEwygidGOWg=|tkp:BlBMUIqx-qqmZQ


If your SAS drives have a contiguous data/power connector like the ST2000NM0001 shown below, you won't be able to fit any of the commonly available SFF8087 to quad SATA cables bundled with many cards. They're intended for people using ordinary SATA drives with a SAS card.

What you need instead is something like this where you can plug a standard SATA power connector into the rear of each SAS adapter:-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/YIWENTEC-SFF-8087-SFF-8482-Connectors-Power/dp/B07MXWB6S2?th=1

Hi, link to pictures of the drives that do not work

https://imgur.com/a/Jr32pYC

View: https://imgur.com/a/Jr32pYC


The card i have has has HBA which i tried but then windows came up with i/o error, also tried aomei to rebuild the mbr but no joy there.

If i go down the route of this it mode card am i correct in saying that it will just add the drives ready to use in windows disk management, and i could raid them from there or would it be a storage pool?

 

[Scotch Egg 71]

I have been informed that it is the block size that is not compatible with my system ( windows 10 ) how i would i go about changing these is it in Linux?

 

[evermorex76]

You likely don't. If the drives are custom-formatted with something like 8KB physical blocks, no OS or controller other than the custom ones in an EMC system is going to work with them.

 

[USAFRet]

Those are 12 year old drives.
13237 = Aug 25, 2013.