CacheCade Pro 2.0 with FastPath, unboxing and installing the LSI00290 onto my 9265-8i RAID controller

Posted by Paul Braren on May 10 2012 (updated on May 15 2012) in
  • Storage

    • At last, received part # LSI00290 today, directly from LSI at:
    store.lsi.com/store.cfm/Advanced_Software_Options/Advanced_Software_Options/LSI00290

    Description on box:

    LSI00290
    LSI CacheCade Software
    Advanced Software Option Hardware Key
    UPC 8 3034300224 5

    LSI00290box

    Here's what LSI00290 looks like installed, see green arrows:

    BelowViewOfLSI00290InsertedInto9265-8i
    AboveViewOfLSI00290InsertedInto9265-8i

    Here's the unboxing:

    I like the notches that grab the tiny card when it's fully inserted, and hold it in place.
    Here's the installing:

    Next up, trying out the LSI9265-8i, should work right away for those without 30 day trial keys in place, a bit trickier if you've been using the trial keys...

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    vExpert logo Paul Braren, MCSE in 1998, VCP #2681 in 2005, vExpert 2014 to 2025, Veeam Vanguard Emeritus, 2015 to 2019.

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    Necessity to sunset SuperServer Bundles

    SuperServers These systems still work great for many even 9+ years later, mine included, even with (unsupported) vSphere 8 and Windows 11 Version 21H2. But unless you added the optional TPM module, it may be the end of the line as far as repurposing them for running the latest Windows 11 Version 24H2 and beyond.

    After 6 successful years testing then shipping well over 1,000 Xeon D Bundles, Wiredzone had to stop SuperServer bundles in mid-2021 due to cost, supply, and logistics challenges. Bare bones system sales continued for years longer.

    What's next in 2025? I don't yet have my answer for my home lab, especially now that VCF certification is required to keep non-production home lab licenses going, even as a vExpert and VMUG Advantage EVALExperience customer.

    As for a SuperServer follow-on, the Xeon D-1700/2700 (Ice Lake D) was a minor refresh for 2023, with Xeon D-1800/2800 (Granite Rapids D) refresh slightly better in 2024, and hopefully Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-D) much better in 2025 featuring PCIe Gen5, MCRDIMMs, and 100GbE networking, wow! Feb. 27 2025 update update looks promising, but pricey. Infortunately, it's become clear to me that Supermicro is less focuses on the mini-tower form factor these days.

    As for the CPU industry, it's unfortunate that Pat Gelsinger was apparently ousted from Intel's helm in these challenging times, but I'm also grateful to have had the honor of working at VMware when he was the CIO there. I'll leave it at that, given the whole Broadcom thing.