Question Which NVMe SSD works on Windows Server 2016 Core Edition ?

quasar66

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Aug 29, 2011
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Hi..
I'm looking for an NVMe SSD that has been verified to work on a Gen 3 Pcie server (Dell R940a server at home)? Reliability not extremely important - capacity is.
Currently, an old Samsung 970EVO (not plus) works - but since the time the stick was purchased, Samsung has upgraded the firmware and that no longer works on Windows Server 2016 Core Edition. Have returned some of the later ones.
Thanks...
 
Hi..
I'm looking for an NVMe SSD that has been verified to work on a Gen 3 Pcie server (Dell R940a server at home)? Reliability not extremely important - capacity is.
Currently, an old Samsung 970EVO (not plus) works - but since the time the stick was purchased, Samsung has upgraded the firmware and that no longer works on Windows Server 2016 Core Edition. Have returned some of the later ones.
Thanks...
If you have U.2 slots I would assume that basically any NVMe will work. I've got some Micron 9300s, Intel P3700s, and Intel D3-S4510 (I think thats what they are) in a Dell 7425 and they work without issue. While I am running VMware instead of Server 2016, they all show up in BIOS and are able to be sent to Server 2012 R2 for software defined storage. I wonder if the 970 firmware update removed them from BIOS which is why you cannot see them in Server 2016. On ebay you can find some Micron 7300's for "cheap" and I would expect those will work especially if you have U.2 slots. Not to mention you will have a better chance for a DC specific drive working in Server over a consumer drive.
 
If you have U.2 slots I would assume that basically any NVMe will work. I've got some Micron 9300s, Intel P3700s, and Intel D3-S4510 (I think thats what they are) in a Dell 7425 and they work without issue. While I am running VMware instead of Server 2016, they all show up in BIOS and are able to be sent to Server 2012 R2 for software defined storage. I wonder if the 970 firmware update removed them from BIOS which is why you cannot see them in Server 2016. On ebay you can find some Micron 7300's for "cheap" and I would expect those will work especially if you have U.2 slots. Not to mention you will have a better chance for a DC specific drive working in Server over a consumer drive.

Thanks for the guidance. My Dell server has neither U2 nor M2 slots. I added a set of x4 to PCIe cards that can take 4 M2 2280 drives each. That's where the Samsung 970 evo is running. So, my life, alas, is restricted to M2 drives only.

Any thoughts, please do share...
 
well, I have 6 drive bays (five populated) in the front - and no, no SAS HBA - it has PERC H330 card to manage the front drive bay.

Thanks...
A PERC H330 is a SAS HBA, just their low end. However, since you only have 6 drive bays then going with a SATA or SAS SSD is out of the question.

In terms of M.2 that could go on your extender you have the Micron 7300 and Micron 7450. The 7450 is a PCIe 4 drive but those are back compatible with PCIe 3. The biggest issue you will have in terms of DC SSD is they usually are 22110 not 2280. You other option would be to get some HHHL cards instead. A lot of those will probably be older like the Intel P3600/P3700 but they are still plenty fast.