HP DL380 G9 + Backplane 8 x SFF + P440ar

[IP2000]

Hello Mr Experts,

Before starting, I apologize for my poor English (by Google Translate)

I have 2 x DL380G9 with the same symptom that drives me crazy.

Both servers have 1 Backplane 8 x SFF .

It turns out that the first 4 disks are detected perfectly. The second group of 4 disks (slot 5, 6, 7 and 8 does not detect any drives).

I have tested the disks, multiple units = SAME FAIL
I bought a new backplane = SAME FAIL
I have changed CADDYs = SAME FAIL
I have removed the RAID controller and connected directly to the board = SAME FAIL
I have changed blue data cable = SAME FAIL
I have inverted the PORT1 and PORT2 cable = SAME FAIL (only detects the first 4 SSD)

I don’t have any more power cables, but in theory they are OK.

The controller is a P440ar.

Both servers fail me the same. Only first 4 SSDs.

Can you give me some light? Any ideas? It’s very weird.

Updated BIOS and updated P440 as well.

Thank you very much for your time!!
IP2000

[shiva_jr]

Hi @IP2000 ,

     Please check the cabling part which is described in this post.
Regards,
Shiva_JR
Please mark as 'Accepted solution'  and give me 'Kudos' if my post worked.

[IP2000]

Hello @shiva_jr 

In the post you sent me they refer to a SAS Expander card. I don't have that card on my server.
My data cables are only 2: PORT1 and PORT2 that go directly from the Smart Array P440ar to the original Backuplane of the machine with 8 x SFF. There's no more.

Important note: iLO4 does not tell me any errors or malfunctions of any server components. Everything green and good!

I have 2 P440ar controllers to test. It's very strange that they both have the same error. Also, as I said before, I have even removed it and connected the data cables directly to MB. Same error. I have reset the server in case it had any strange configuration, but I didn't get any results either.

If you need a photo, no problem.

Thank you @shiva_jr 

[IP2000]

Update:

I have removed the backplane, Smart Array P440ar, data cable, backplane power cable, and all the disks out.

I have reassembled everything again very carefully and have connected 5 SSD drives to the server

Slots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

As before, they detect disks 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the fifth disk, which would be the 1st of group 2 (PORT2), nothing at all.

I attach photos of the disks and the result in the iLO.

Although in the photo you can see only the first 4 disks "on", when I turn on the server, the first CHECK of disks when starting up, all 5 are connected, so the lack of power is ruled out, I think!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jiYbakrrFEJd1j1Z9 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HCzTaxuyAZW7ncneA 

thank you all for helping me.

Best regards

[shiva_jr]

Hi @IP2000 ,
   I believe that the issue is rectified. Please let me know if still the issue persists.
Regards,
Shiva_JR

[IP2000]

Hello @shiva_jr,

I continue with the problem.

I can't solve it.

Any help will be welcome!

Thank you Regards.

[IP2000]

Hello everyone!

Does anyone have any idea what could be happening to my Backplane?

Can you tell me any test?

It is very strange that the iLO is all green, all devices OK!!!

Right now I have a Hyper-V backup set up in RAID5 (4 1TB disks) but my idea was a RAID6 with 6 1TB disks. But there is no way for it to recognize me from the 4th SSD.

Best Regards,

[shiva_jr]

Hi @IP2000 ,
     If still need help, you may reach out to HPE Support and log a case.
Regards,
Shiva_JR

[IP2000]

Hi @shiva_jr 

Even if the server is refurbished and out of warranty, can I open a case for free?
I wonder! ???
A situation like this has never happened to me... I don't know how to proceed.

Thank you. Regards

IP2000

[TVVJ]

Hello,

You may try logging a case with HPE Support, stating the issue, the steps taken so far with the result of each such step.

Regards,

[IP2000 · Accepted solution]

Hello everyone!

After 4 months, I was finally able to repair the 2 G9 servers.

I share the solution, in case something as strange happens to someone as it happened to me.

The servers were reviewed by third parties.

For some unknown reason, the data cables were not the correct G9 8 x SFF reference.

They installed the wrong cable in the 2 Servers, causing me to not get the solution in the exchange of components. I could be buying spare parts until 2045 when the problem would not be solved.

HP BAD PN: 756907-001
HP GOOD PN: 747568-001

Physically they are identical or almost identical. For some reason unknown to me, the "bad one" only detects 4 x SFF.

Change of reference and everything OK. The 2 Servers work perfectly with their 8 x SFF.

Thank you very much to everyone who tried to help me. I leave my grain of sand here.

Best Regards

[Sunitha_Mod]

Hello @IP2000,

That's excellent! 

We are extremely glad to know you were able to find the solution and we appreciate you for keeping us posted. 

[IP2000]

Thank you for your time