MSA20 using built in controller, can't enable write cache with BBWC installed (batteries good)

[Steve_NetAdmin]

I have a proliant DL something or other 1U server with a MSA20 attached to a Smart Array 642 controller acting as a pass through, i.e. no BBWC on the 641. There is a 128MB BBWC on the controller in the MSA20. ACU indicates:

Caching Cache Module Present Yes Cache Status OK Read Cache Size 112 MB Write Cache Size 0 MB Total Cache Memory Available 112 MB Total Cache Size 0 MB Cache Backup Power Source Batteries Battery/Capacitor Pack Count 2 Battery/Capacitor Status OK

Firmware version 2.08, the latest. 

Physical drive write cache is disabled to avoid potential data loss. 

In the ACU the two raid 5, 1.1TB each logical drives have caching enabled under "Caching Settings"

There is no option under "Controller Settings" to enable write caching or to change the caching ratio. 

Further data from diagnostic report:

Read Cache Size 112 MB (0x0070)
Write Cache Size 0 MB (0x0000)
Disable Flag Enabled (0x00)
Offset To Extended Cache Disabled Map 0 (0x0000)
Offset To Extended Cache Failure Map 0 (0x0000)
Offset To Extended Read Cache Disabled Map 0 (0x0000)
Cache Configuration Flags 0x00
Total Structure Length 0 (0x00000000)
Maximum Logical Devices Supported 0 (0x0000)
Offset To Extended Write Cache Disabled Map 0 (0x0000)
Fixed Structure Length 0 (0x00000000)
Cache Flags 0x00000001
Position Cache Flag Status
-------- ----------------------------------------------------- -------------
0 Configured And Enabled For At Least One Logical Drive Informational

Cache Disable Code 0x0000
Total Cache Memory Size 112 MB (0x0070)
Battery Count 2 (0x0002)
Battery Status 0x0003
Parity Read Errors 0 (0x0000)
Parity Write Errors 0 (0x0000)
Error Log All Zeroes (160 x [0x00])
Failed Batteries 0 (0x0000)
Board Present 0x01
Cache Failure Map 0x00000000
Max Error Log Entries 32 (0x20)
NVRAM Load Status NVRAM Failure (0x11)
Memory Size Shift Factor 10 (0x0a)
Non Battery Backed Memory Size 0 MB (0x0000)
Memory State 0x00
Cache Auto Rev 0x00
Total Controller Memory Size 0 MB (0x0000)
Percent Read Cache 0% (0x00)
Percent Write Cache 0% (0x00)
Default Percent Read Cache 0% (0x00)
Default Percent Write Cache 0% (0x00)
Installed Batteries 0x0000
Cache Support Flags 0x00
Reserved2 0x00
Detailed Battery Status All Zeroes (16 x [0x00])
Detailed Flashlight Hardware Status 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00

LED Flag 0x00
Command List Verification 0x01
Backed Out Write Drives 0 (0x00)
Parity Stripes 0x0000
Controller Configuration Flags 0x00
Position Controller Configuration Flag Status
-------- ------------------------------------------ -------------
2 Inconsistency Repair Policy Disabled Informational
3 Degraded Performance Optimization Disabled Informational

Queue Depth 0x0000
Elevator Trend 0x0000
Elevator State Enabled (0x00)
Force Scan Complete 0x00
Forced Transfer Mode Automatic Detection (0x00)
Forced Transfer Width Automatic Detection (0x00)
Rebuild Priority Medium (0x40)
Expand Priority Medium (0x40)
Host Sdb ASIC Fix 0x00
PDPI Burst Disabled 0x00
Software Name empty
Hardware Name empty
Bridge Revision 0x00
Snapshot Priority 0x00
OS Specific 0x00000000
POST Prompt Timeout 0x00
Automatic Drive Slamming 0x00
Position Automatic Drive Slamming Status
-------- ------------------------ -------------
0 Disabled Informational

Device Path Selection Method Automatic (0x00)
NVRAM Flags 0x00
Cache NVRAM Flags 0x00
Drive Configuration Flags 0x00
Position Drive Configuration Flag Status
-------- ---------------------------------------------------- -------------
0 Drive Write Cache Disabled Informational
2 Skip Never Accessed Regions During Expansion Enabled Informational
3 Skip Never Accessed Regions During Rebuild Enabled Informational

Over Temperature Warning 0x45
Over Temperature Shutdown 0x50
Over Temperature Condition Cancelled 0x40
Max Coalesce Commands 0 (0x00)
Max Coalesce Delay 0 microseconds (0x00000000)
ORCA Password empty
Access ID empty
Primary Boot LUN empty
Secondary Boot LUN empty

Now that I look at it again I see the NVRAM Failure (0x11)..................

Could this be failed BBWC memory? 

[Dennis Handly]

>Now that I look at it again I see the NVRAM Failure (0x11)

>Could this be failed BBWC memory?

I wouldn't think so.  That's Non Volatile RAM and if you had that, you wouldn't need batteries.  ;-)

It may be used for configuration values?

[Steve_NetAdmin]

Is your thinking that the batteries may be bad? They are less than 6 months old, though the array configuration utility is saying that they are OK, and at the same time have insufficient voltage. 

[Steve_NetAdmin]

The NVRAM Load Status showing   NVRAM Failure (0x11) is also very disconcerting. 

[Steve_NetAdmin]

We're ordering a new memory 128MB memory module on the chance that the memory stick went bad. All indications are that the batteries are good (less than 1 year old, and status says ok). 

[Steve_NetAdmin]

With a new 128MB ram module installed (with the new battery that it came with). The ACU still says the batteries are good, but now our percent read cache and write cache are both set to 0%. I cannot set it in the CLI because it says that that is not an available option. 

Caching is enabled on the 2 logical drives on the MSA. In the "Controller Settings" I only see Transformation Priority, Rebuild Priority, and Surface Scan Analysis Priority. The slide bar for adjusting memory alocation is not there. 

Caching Cache Module Present Yes

Cache Status OK

Read Cache Size 112 MB

Write Cache Size 0 MB

Total Cache Memory Available 112 MB

Total Cache Size 0 MB

Cache Backup Power Source Batteries

Battery/Capacitor Pack Count 2

Battery/Capacitor Status OK

[skoenig2]

Same Problem here...need help to enable the write cache.

Array Configuration Utility

Externer Controller Controllerstatus OK

Controller MSA20

Seriennummer des Controllers PAAACABMQUQKRO

Busschnittstelle SCSI

Gehäusesteckplatz 2

RAID 6 (ADG)-Status Aktiviert

Firmware-Version 2.08

Anzahl der Ports 2

Caching Cache-Modul vorhanden Ja

Cache-Status OK

Lese-Cache-Größe 112 MB

Schreib-Cache-Größe 0 MB

Insgesamt verfügbarer Cache-Speicher 240 MB

Cache-Größe insgesamt 0 MB

Energiequelle für Cache-Sicherung Akkus

Anzahl der Akkus/Kondensatoren 2

Akku-/Kondensatorstatus OK