Re: RELENG_8 / mpt / zpool Errors

On Sep 8, 2011 12:33 AM, "Tim Gustafson" <tjg_at_soe.ucsc.edu> wrote:
>
> > Advice is:
> >
> > Use -STABLE and not -RELEASE
> > Upgrade firmware
> > Avoid port multipliers
> >
> > As I'm using cheap 4K green drives I had to use wdidle3.exe to fix
> > the 8 second head parking and I also had to use gnop to force my
> > ZFS pool to use 4K transfers.
>
> We're already using -STABLE; we update to RELENG_8 periodically.
>
> LSI's web site is a little bizarre when it comes to their downloads
section.  I searched their drivers section for my specific model number and
got a bunch of firmware upgrades for other cards with different port
configurations.
>
> We can't avoid port multipliers.  Nobody makes a 32-port SAS/SATA
controller.  And anyhow, the hardware is already purchased so I need to
figure out how to make it work.  :)
>
> WDC's web site says that the wdidle3.exe utility you suggested is not for
this drive; the site says it's only for WD1000FYPS-01ZKB0,
WD7500AYPS-01ZKB0, and WD7501AYPS-01ZKB0.
>
> I'm not sure what you mean about using gnop to force 4K transfers.
>
> > The mps driver has problems with the LSI SAS2008 when using port
> > multipliers (which are in the enclosures). If you go to the previous
> > SAS 3G version of that chip I think you'll be OK.
>
> When you say "go to the previous SAS 3G version of that chip", do you mean
"buy an older version of that controller card"?  Or are you talking about
downgrading, rather than upgrading, the firmware?
>
> There are newer LSI cards out there as well.  Would upgrading the card
help any?  The LSI SAS 9205-8e seems to be a workable solution, and not too
expensive.

Tim,

The reference to wdidle3 is specific to my situation with the home user
grade WDC20EARS drive.

You have server class drives but are affected by a problem with the FreeBSD
driver with port multipliers.

Easiest solutions to your situation are:

A) Don't use FreeBSD
B) Switch to hardware that works with FreeBSD (the SAS 3G version of that
LSI HBA chip)

Harder solutions are:

A) Fix the driver