Solved LSI 8308ELP question?

[smurfyy]

Hey guys,
Been a while since I've posted here!

Got a problem at work and can't seem to find any info on Google and such.

Basically, we've got an old RM server that we're looking to use as a sort of storage machine / backup machine. It's got an LSI MegaRAID 8308ELP RAID controller in it. Connected to that are currently 2 160GB SATA drives in a RAID to double the space, and also a couple of 74GB SAS drives also in a RAID for the OS.

We want to replace some of the drives with 2TB drives.

I've googled around, searched on LSI's website and even had a look on the server manufacturer site, RM, but can't find anything apart from some documentation here that says it supports arrays of larger than 2TB; along the left side near the bottom on the first page.

So, will this RAID card support 2TB drives?
Interested to find this out as I have the same card sitting at home doing nothing that needs a use.

Cheers guys!

 

[Anak]

Have you been to this page?
Is it possible to boot from an array larger than (>) 2 Terabytes (TB) with LSI RAID controllers? (maximum capacity)

About half way down:

MegaRAID controllers do support arrays larger than (>) 2TB, but not volumes larger than (>) 2TB.

And there are more LSI KB articles at the bottom.

 

[smurfyy]

Thanks for replying so quick!

Yeah, I remember we had to do the same convert to GPT thing with another storage box that has got 8 1TB drives in it.

But, will this controller support drives of 2TB or larger? Like if I was to stick 8 2TB drive on the card, would it recognise and be able to use them 2TB drives?
Is there a limit to the size of the drives that you can use on this card?

 

[Anak]

Your welcome!

It depends, if this "storage box" has the same OS/bios/ configuration as the one that has the 8 1TB drives then I would think so, but I am far from being an expert.

A lot depends on those two requirements. The version of the OS (64 vs 32), and whether or not the bios, and motherboard can handle UEFI. One more consideration is if you are going to use all 8 with booting or just data.
You will still have to do GPT or parted if Linux, and don't forget about auto-carving.

Incorrect Storage Driver Handling of Single-Disk Capacity Greater than 2TB

Microsoft has discovered that certain storage drivers do not fully support single-disk capacities greater than 2TB. The behavior of some drivers may include:

- Overflow of numerical capacity beyond 2TB, resulting in only able to address the remainder of the capacity beyond 2TB. For example, with a 3TB disk, the available capacity may be 1TB.

- Truncation of capacity beyond 2TB, resulting in a maximum of 2TB of addressable space. For example, with a 3TB disk, the available capacity may be 2TB.

- Storage device is not properly detected, and does not show up either in Device Manager or Disk Management.

Many storage controller manufacturers have updated drivers with support for capacities greater than 2TB available for download. Contact your storage controller manufacturer or OEM to determine support for single-disk capacities greater than 2TB, and if there are any available downloads to provide support.

Source: Windows KB2581408

CarltonBale.com » How to Break the 2TB (2 TeraByte) File System Limit

HGST | Above 2TB


Do a search for: Will win 7 with RAID card, support 2TB or greater drives.

 

[smurfyy]

Hey!

Sorry for the late reply!

The use of this box have changed now, we've got 8 1TB SATA drives in there in RAID0 and it's working perfect.
We had to convert to GPT to allow us to see the space over 2TB inside of windows. The machine we took the drives from will probably have 8 2TB drives thrown in there as we're sure it will support it.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Anak]

Your welcome!

Better late than never.
It would be understandable for what you had going on to be preoccupied.

I am glad to hear you found a solution to your situation, and that I may have had a small part in reaching your goal.


Thank you for the rep! Here is the LSI Home Page to its KB: LSI KnowledgeBase | Home