LSI 9265/9266 CacheCade Pro 2.0 information
The differences in port placement of the 9265 and 9266 are shown in the graphic I created, and in this related, recent article:
TinkerTry.com/x79-lsi-developments-change-vzilla
There's a lot of back and forth going on between LSI support and sales, outlined here:
TinkerTry.com/lsi-9265-8i-firmware-update
All of this LSI info was admittedly far more difficult to find than it should be. Let's hope this will be cleared up once the 9266 card, and the separate CacheCade Pro 2.0/FastPath combination (part #LSI00293), arrive later this month. If the speed and stability turn out to be that all we're hoping for, then these difficulties will likely be quickly forgiven and forgotten
I will keep this article up to date as new information arrives, throughout April 2012. I may go with a FAQ approach, depending upon visitor's comments below: please consider contributing by asking questions in the comments section below the article.
So far, it seems to all boil down to the following relevant details:
- we (owners of the 9265) have to wait another 3 weeks roughly for CacheCade Pro 2.0 to ship, and it appears likely that part # for the software (automatically bundled with FastPath) is LSI00293
- owners of the soon to ship 9266 will have CacheCade Pro 2.0 firmware preloaded, but it appears it'll still be a separate purchase of LSI00293 to activate CC Pro 2.0/FastPath using a software key
- owners of the 9260/9280 series have had CacheCade Pro 2.0 ordering capabilities for many weeks now, that's the 2 pin hardware dongle that won't fit 9265, giving SSD caching of RAID0/RAID1, 9265/9266 SSD caches RAID5 too, for both read and writes, the potentially killer feature we paid the big bucks for, discussed at TinkerTry.com/whylsi9265-8i, without the need for ESXi support (it doesn't care what OS or filesystem)
- there is no documented list of compatible SSDs (yet, or perhaps never), but it shouldn't be too picky, based on published info so far (dating back to August 2011 announcements)
there are hints on LSI's site that a list may emerge, but I suspect it'll only indicate enterprise (expensive) SSDs that have been tested: most home-brew/enthusiast types will try more realistic price points. - the 9265 and 9266 are basically the same specs (same speeds, same drivers), the only significant differences appearing to be the placement or ports, and the battery backup technology (optional battery, versus supercapacitor)
- the new MSM (MegaRAID Storage Manager - Support for CacheCade Pro 2.0) Windows Version: 11.08.03.03 is picky about the install:
detailed instructions appear at TinkerTry.com/msminstallonwindows , which can be summarized thusly:
on Windows 2008 be sure to enable the "Administrator" account and login under that account, to get MSM to install without errors, and working just fine
on Windows 7, disable UAC, reboot, then MSM installs without errors, and works just fine - another user found that on Windows 7, another untested approach to get around possibly Java related errors on install is about installing to a custom location without spaces in the filename:
TinkerTry.com/lsi-9265-8i-firmware-update/#comment-487630545 - the new Firmware - Support for CacheCade Pro 2.0 with the 9265-8i; 9266-4i; 9266-8i; 9285-8e; 9285CV-8e Version: 23.4.1-0028 was made available since 3/30/2012
- I backed up everything, and I've flashed my 9265-8i successfully to 23.4.1-0028 using MSM, so I'm as ready as I can be, for the day my LSI00293 software key arrives, to activate the CacheCade Pro function (currently not clickable, seen in the video)
youtu.be/kB85zjOuZmQ?hd=1
There's also a great dialogue going on over at Storage Review's Forums, found here.
All Comments on This Article (11)
Given the 9266-(8/4)i isn't (yet) on the VMware compatibility guide for ESXi v5 (U1), do you believe it would still be recognized given the 9265 is?
Thanks! Great Blog!
I have new information, it's all posted here:
http://tinkertry.com/lsi-faq-cachecade-pro-2-0-coming-soon-meanwhile-summary-open-questions/
My own LSI00290 may arrive as soon as tomorrow, so I'll know soon!
How did this turn out?
Thank you RatZak!
The only thing certain is that there's a lot of confusion. 2 weeks ago, I was told that 9260 has 2 pins for the hardware key and the 9265 has 3 pins, yet the SPECIFICATIONS tab here:
http://store.lsi.com/store.cfm/Advanced_Software_Options/Advanced_Software_Options/LSI00290/
says it works with both products.
So I wait for the LSI00293? I put in a new ticket with LSI today, to get to the bottom of this, and blog about my findings to the tens-of-thousands of LSI related article viewers here at tinkertry.com.
Stay tuned! I too am rather eager myself to give CC Pro 2.0/FastPath a try, but to also get it right the first time!
I am working on a new server build and the LSI SAS 9265-8i is the key component. I have been scouring the net for any 9265/CacheCade 2.0 news. Today I broke down and called LSI sales. I was told that either part number LSI00290 (hardware key) or LSI00293 (software key) would work with the 9265-8i. I expressed my disbelief and was reassured that this was the case. I was also told that both part numbers are CacheCade 2.0 w/ Fastpath and that the hardware key is the preferred method. In the event you have to RMA the 9265-8i you can easily pull the key and insert it into your new card. With the software key there is some work to get a new key from LSI. The rep also stated that the older versions of CacheCade were being phased out.
Does anyone have a hardware key (say in a 9260 or 9280) that they could try in a 9265-8i with the latest firmware? I will be placing an order for the LSI00290 (HW key) soon but procurement with my company takes time. So I will not have an answer any time soon.
Thoughts?
It'll be interesting to see if it works, and if it arrives with FastPath bundled, which LSI00293 supposedly will be bundled with. Here's a detailed LSI00293 listing that makes no mention of FastPath though:
http://www.scsi4me.com/lsi00293-safestore-sw-lsi-megaraid-cachecade-fastpath-pro-2-0-ssd-read-write-caching-software-pack-for-lsi-9260-926.html
Guess we'll know pretty soon, thank you Tom!
Disqus generic email templateWhich do you own, the 9260 or 9265?
It is strange how I was told it was LSI00293 I was waiting for, but as you see http://store.lsi.com/store.cfm/Advanced_Software_Options/Advanced_Software_Options/LSI00290 shows compatible with 9265, hmmm...
FYI, Just ordered this. We'll see if it's the correct item or not in a few days.
http://store.lsi.com/store.cfm/Advanced_Software_Options/Advanced_Software_Options/LSI00290/
Also on the SSD compatability, I have installed 2 OCZ agility 3 60GB in Raid 0 and they work great.
I plan on adding 2 more and running the 4 in Raid 10 / Cachecade ,
On a side note the Chenbro expander i added to my 9260-4i is working great , shows up in MSM just fine , currently the CacheCade is only helping 4- 2TB 6GB drives attached in Raid 10 but will continue to add drives in Raid 1 Pairs
This will be fun to compare/google hangout with the RAID 5 / CacheCade you are setting up
much better placement for the fastPath Key, Yes im a fan of the SAS placement :)
Paul Braren | TinkerTry.com
Great question, Lambusser!
Sure seems awfully likely it'll work just fine, since it's the same exact specs, just a new form factor and battery type. But I may be meeting with a LSI guy who knows VMware this week, and I'll toss that question his way as well.