[OpenIndiana-discuss] 2x Xeon XS8600

[Andrew Gabriel]

Harry Putnam wrote:
> Murman, can you coach me a bit about how the bios settings regarding
> sata ports, and the LSI utility, effects the actual ports themseleves?
>
> There are three options at bios main menu `Storage' and then the
> `options', then the SATA Emulation [...] heading item:
>   
>   SATA Emulation—Sets the SATA emulation mode with the following options:
>
>       RAID + AHCI–both the RAID and AHCI OPROMs execute. This
>       emulation mode is the default and offers the best performance
>       and most functionality.
>
>       Separate IDE Controller–offers standard SATA supports (four
>       ports only).
>
>       Combined IDE Controller–makes the SATA controller look like an
>       IDE controller and offers best IDE compatibility (two ports
>       only).
> -------       -------       ---=---       -------       ------- 
>
> Here. I am running a version (Openindiana) of solaris 11.
>
> Far as I can see, my setup will only boot with options 2 or 3.  I've
> been using 2 (Separate IDE) which is recommended in some of the oracle
> documentation. 
>
> WIth that setting, the two RED ports on the upper (main) row of sata
> ports are unusable for sata disks.
>
> Further, attempting to plug a pair or wd black, 1tb drives (new) into
> the two right most SAS/Sata ports on the bottom row fails.  The bios
> fails to recognize them.
>
> So far I've only been able to use the first 4 Sata ports on top row,
> beginning with the left most port.
>
> I really need to be able to use all the available Sas/Sata ports for
> Sata discs.

What you really want is AHCI and no RAID.
Running it as an emulated IDE is rather sub-optimal, but maybe your only 
choice unless you go and buy a separate disk controller.

-- 
Andrew Gabriel