HP Proliant ML350 G6 HBA card Recommendations - Unraid

[bodyguard]

Hey everyone, 

I have picked up for nothing a used HP proliant ML350 G6 with a raid controller in it. There is though, a multi drive bay with 2 sas connectors that originally went to the raid card that I would like to repurpose for general storage.  I have tried connected the bay directly to the mobo, but the drives do not come up.  I have asked around and found that I have to have an HBA or raid card.  I really don't want to use hardware raid but do not find any hba card on the option parts list.  What options do I have to use the bay? 

 

I hope this makes sense, still new to server hardware.

[LIGISTX]

3 hours ago, bodyguard said:

Hey everyone, 

I have picked up for nothing a used HP proliant ML350 G6 with a raid controller in it. There is though, a multi drive bay with 2 sas connectors that originally went to the raid card that I would like to repurpose for general storage.  I have tried connected the bay directly to the mobo, but the drives do not come up.  I have asked around and found that I have to have an HBA or raid card.  I really don't want to use hardware raid but do not find any hba card on the option parts list.  What options do I have to use the bay? 

 

I hope this makes sense, still new to server hardware.

What RAID card is in it already? You need a LSI card that is or can be flashed to IT mode which will make it act as just an HBA.

 

But, depending what you have, you may be able to flash it and save yourself a few bucks. If you do need to buy one though.... https://www.ebay.com/itm/194715814257?hash=item2d55f78971:g:mdAAAOSw0Nhh2K1J

[bodyguard]

12 hours ago, LIGISTX said:

What RAID card is in it already? You need a LSI card that is or can be flashed to IT mode which will make it act as just an HBA.

 

But, depending what you have, you may be able to flash it and save yourself a few bucks. If you do need to buy one though.... https://www.ebay.com/itm/194715814257?hash=item2d55f78971:g:mdAAAOSw0Nhh2K1J

I believe I have the P411 but I will have to double check when I get home.

 

Know of any documentation on flashing the card, or if it can be?  New territory for me.

[LIGISTX]

49 minutes ago, bodyguard said:

I believe I have the P411 but I will have to double check when I get home.

 

Know of any documentation on flashing the card, or if it can be?  New territory for me.

I quickly found this, but you may want to google yourself a bunch…

 

https://community.hpe.com/t5/ProLiant-Servers-ML-DL-SL/How-to-switch-to-HBA-mode-for-HP-Smart-array-P410i-controller/td-p/6994149

 

Or, just pick up a LSI based card that can be flashed, or is already flashed. 

[bodyguard]

6 hours ago, LIGISTX said:

I quickly found this, but you may want to google yourself a bunch…

 

https://community.hpe.com/t5/ProLiant-Servers-ML-DL-SL/How-to-switch-to-HBA-mode-for-HP-Smart-array-P410i-controller/td-p/6994149

 

Or, just pick up a LSI based card that can be flashed, or is already flashed. 

Will any lsi flashed card work.  Should I be worried about compatibity?

[LIGISTX]

13 hours ago, bodyguard said:

Will any lsi flashed card work.  Should I be worried about compatibity?

I think the 9211-8i is the most common, and that is what I and a few friends have (Dell h310’s). 

[bodyguard]

Just an update.  I bought the card and installed it last night.  Seems to be working like a charm so far.  Tha k a lot for the help.