Combining LFF and SFF cages in ML350 G6

[LeoVae]

I have ML350 G6 with main LFF HDD cage with 5 HDDs installed, and found SFF 2nd cage (part no. 507803-B21) for cheap that I'd like to use for a separate array with its own p410 storage controller. Officially, combining LFF and SFF cages is not supported by HPE, which kinda makes sense if you're using SAS expander to combine both cages into single array. I don't see why this wouldn't work with a separate controller, even though it's not mentioned anywhere.

Did anyone had success combining LFF and SFF cages on the same server?

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. HP ProLiant ML350 G6 Server - Mixing LFF and SFF Hard Drives

2. HPE ProLiant ML350 G6 Server Series - How to Convert the 8 (SFF) Hot-Plug SAS/SATA Hard Drive Bays in the Server to 6 (LFF) Hot-Plug SAS/SATA Hard Drive Bays

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[LeoVae]

Looks like the provided documentation and thread refer to combining cages the standard way, by using the SAS expander. I would like to know if this is possible by using a separate additional p410 storage controller for a 2nd SFF cage (507803-B21), with main LFF cage connected to internal p410i controller. I believe this should be technically possible, but would like to know if it actually works.

[Sham82]

Hi, 

From the same document , please Note :

> HP does not support mixing SFF and LFF optional hard drive expansion cages.
> So you can either use LFF HDDs or SFF HDDs.

Regards
HPE

[LeoVae · Accepted solution]

I just couldn't accept the fact this wouldn't work with a second controller, just because it doesn't make sense - whether HPE officially supports it or not

So I went ahead and bought additional controller (found p812 on eBay for cheap, even though p410 should also work).

I bought 2nd cage (which would fit only to ML/DL370 but for some reason there are two different cages with the same part number) so that's currently being sold on eBay. But I also found "main" SFF cage for cheap that was converted to a fully-working 2nd cage by drilling few holes and cutting the upper frame. Fitted eight 10k 900GB HDDs in (619291-B21) connected the cage to the new controller and voila! All lights were there, HP SmartStart recognized both controllers and cages, I was able to create RAID array without any issues.

Here is `ssacli` output:

root@pve:~# ssacli ctrl all show config 

Smart Array P410i in Slot 0 (Embedded)    (sn: ***removed***)



   Internal Drive Cage at Port 1I, Box 1, OK



   Internal Drive Cage at Port 2I, Box 1, OK


   Port Name: 1I

   Port Name: 2I

   Array A (SATA, Unused Space: 0  MB)

      logicaldrive 1 (750.00 GB, RAID 5, OK)
      logicaldrive 2 (2.89 TB, RAID 5, OK)
      logicaldrive 3 (16.93 GB, RAID 5, OK)

      physicaldrive 1I:1:5 (port 1I:box 1:bay 5, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)
      physicaldrive 1I:1:6 (port 1I:box 1:bay 6, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)
      physicaldrive 1I:1:7 (port 1I:box 1:bay 7, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)
      physicaldrive 1I:1:8 (port 1I:box 1:bay 8, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)
      physicaldrive 2I:1:1 (port 2I:box 1:bay 1, SATA HDD, 1 TB, OK)

   SEP (Vendor ID PMCSIERA, Model  SRC 8x6G) 250  (WWID: 500143801002FC4F)


Smart Array P812 in Slot 2                (sn: ***removed***)



   Internal Drive Cage at Port 5I, Box 1, OK


   Port Name: 1E

   Port Name: 2E

   Port Name: 3E

   Port Name: 4E

   Port Name: 5I

   Port Name: 6I

   Array A (SAS, Unused Space: 1  MB)

      logicaldrive 1 (4.91 TB, RAID 50, OK)

      physicaldrive 5I:1:1 (port 5I:box 1:bay 1, SAS HDD, 900 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 5I:1:2 (port 5I:box 1:bay 2, SAS HDD, 900 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 5I:1:3 (port 5I:box 1:bay 3, SAS HDD, 900 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 5I:1:4 (port 5I:box 1:bay 4, SAS HDD, 900 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 6I:1:5 (port 6I:box 1:bay 5, SAS HDD, 900 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 6I:1:6 (port 6I:box 1:bay 6, SAS HDD, 900 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 6I:1:7 (port 6I:box 1:bay 7, SAS HDD, 900 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 6I:1:8 (port 6I:box 1:bay 8, SAS HDD, 900 GB, OK)

   Enclosure SEP (Vendor ID HP, Model P812 INT EXP) 248  (WWID: 5001438014E49565, Box: 1)

   Expander 250  (WWID: 5001438014E49566, Box: 1)

   SEP (Vendor ID PMCSIERA, Model  SRC 8x6G) 249  (WWID: 5001438014E4957F)

Aaaand here is the beauty in action!

I'm curious why HP doesn't support this setup?

If anyone needs any assistance or needs any help with this, I'd be happy to help.

Moderator note: Removed the confidential info. 

[pseud]

Bit of a necro post - but, my guess is that HPE doesn't support this because they're worried customers will get their LFF HD's stuck trying to squeeze them into their SFF cages...

But, I wonder if you could post your handy work - I've just set up one of these bests as my home lab and have another for spares - so, while I won't be mixing LFF & SFF, what I have is two primary SFF cages and following your lead, it seems a good idea to stick my spare primary cage into my running machine as a secondary cage.  Thx