ZFS Use of HW RAID (IBM server)

V

vrod

Hi folks,

Pardon my ignorance if this topic has been raised before but I was unable to find answers to my question.

I am about to deploy a new storage solution (for pxe boot systems through nfs) and immediately thought about ZFS. The storage designated for this happen to be a IBM x3650m3 with a M5015 controller (non-passthrough). As far as I know, it's best to use a PT controller for SMART data and such, correct? Since the M5015 collects and gives all SMART information directly to the IMM (also predictive failure for drives), would it be a problem to use HW raids with ZFS?

I have 6 SAS disks and thought to make 3 mirrors and then put 4 SSD's on the builtin SATA controller on the board. would this work or should I go for passthrough with the M1015 controller? Just wanna do a single pool with some ssd caching.

Thanks,
Chris
 
ZFS should never be used with HW RAID. You can use ZFS with HBA and have all benefits of SMART daemon.
 
Hello Oko,

Thanks for your answer. So what you are saying is that the only way to go is to get a PT HBA? I guess I would go with M1015 then, this can get the job done. :)

Cheers!
Chris
 
Hi, You will need to flash both of those cards to IT (initiator target) mode. ZFS runs best with HBA (host bus adapters) not with the RAID enabled cards. Flashing it to IT mode will get rid you from RAID bios - so you will be ready for ZFS and will be able to gather any S.M.A.R.T information from disks easily by using sysutils/smartmontools.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top