UCS C210 M2 and Microsoft Storage Spaces

[Johnny B]

Good morning! Does anyone know if the SAS expander (not SAS extender) in a C210 M2, part number R210-SASXPAND, is compatible with Microsoft Storage Spaces, be it in Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016 and/or 2019? Before I replace the factory installed LSI 9261-8i controller with a JBOD HBA, I'd like to have some idea whether or not it will work.

Thank you!

[Wes Austin · Accepted solution]

You can check all the software that is supported with our servers using the UCS HCL:

https://ucshcltool.cloudapps.cisco.com/public/ 

Quick glance is showing 2012 R2, but the C210-M2 is EOL so we will not certify later versions.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/servers-unified-computing/ucs-c-series-rack-servers/eol__C51-713216.html 

[Johnny B]

Thank you for replying, Wes. I appreciate your time.

Perhaps you can suggest a JBOD controller for use with the SAS expander in a C210 M2?

[Wes Austin]

You should be able to use any controller and make the disks JBOD via CIMC "Physical Drives" tab. Do you not have that option?

[Johnny B]

When you say "any" controller, does that include the LSI 9261-8i the server came with? From what I've read, that controller can't be flashed to IT mode.

[Wes Austin]

I am not sure what IT mode is, but IIRC the 9261 should let you put disks in JBOD via CIMC.

[Johnny B]

If I understand correctly, I've read that "IT mode" is when a storage controller is acting as an HBA. On the other hand, "IR mode" is when a controller is acting as a RAID device. Some cards can do both, others can't. It appears to depend on whether or not an IT mode BIOS is available for a particular RAID controller.

I'll look for the "Physical Drives" tab in the CIMC when I play with it this weekend.

Thanks Wes!