Proliant ML330 G6 as a NAS

[J9F]

I have received some help previously from this community for a project to turn an old server running VMWware into a NAS server running TrueNAS. I find myself returning because I need a bit more help and I am hoping soeone here will be kind enough to offer it.

My old but extremely reliable G6 has a new hard drive cage. Within it are 4 new 12Tb drives. I've left 2 older 1Tb drives in place. A TrueNAS forum query told me that hardware raid was not something TrueNAS would be comfortable with, so I have replaced the HP Raid card with an LSI 9300 SAS HBA card. It recognises all 6 drives correctly, I have struggled to create a bootable USB to install TrueNAS but after a lot of perseverance I have managed to boot from USB and install TrueNAS. Literally every step of the way has been a huge pain but I thought that the end was finally in sight. 

But, after removing the USB after installation I have a machine that will not boot from the hard drive. I did wonder if it was because TrueNAS wasn't creating the boot drive correctly, so I tried Ubuntu server. That too ran through an installation but again would not boot. 

I have read many pages on the internet, none of which have done me any good so I am back here with people who know the hardware. 

I have gone through the BIOS settings, I cannot see anything that will help. I've set different boot orders and nothing has changed. The new LSI card is set to be the first mass storage controller. It shows up and is enabled in the BIOS utility. Using it's own config utility it shows that it is (seemingly) configured correctly, at the very least it displays all of the drives correctly. I'm not getting any errors to the screen to suggest something is wrong. I'm guessing that this new card is probably the source of my woes but I can't see why and it isn't doing that much different to the raid card it replaces.

Is there anything else to try? Has anyone else got this sort of thing working? Do I need to remove a 1Tb drive from the LSI card and connect it directly to the motherboard? Is there a specifiic order that I need to install the hard drives so that there's a bootable one seen first? Have I missed something small and obvious and all I need to do is set an option in the BIOS and all will be fine?  

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear  J9F

as per your word you have install a new LSI 9300 SAS HBA card, on behalf of Smart storage controller. As per Quick spec LSI storage controller is not supported  for HP ML330 G6 Server. 

Thou I would like to inform you that during OS installation, it is recommended to install storage controller driver properly to boot next time from your HDD. I think compatible driver for LSI 9300 SAS HBA is installed properly during OS media installation.

Hope, I could provide you with clear and helpful instructions. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help!

Have a great day!!

[J9F]

Hi Rabinda

That's frustrating, I have been working through all sorts of issues on this project so I'm not surprised that I'm still not across the finishing line! 

I did wonder about the compatibility of the LSI card but other communities suggested it and it's clearly showing up when I boot the HP server so that wasn't what I thought the issue was. I'm surprised that the OS installation didn't install the drivers but I'm learning that my server knowledge is severly lacking and I have also learned form other communities that the server I am using is sometimes too reliable for it's own good. 

If your offer of instructions still stands then I would most gratefully take you up on it.

Regards

Jon

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear Jon

Your server is very Old server which is was dependable system in its era of Service. This model is supported by hp smart storage raid controller. LSI storage controller is not supported for this model. other community suggest to use LSI controller, becuse currently HPE also used LSI/Mega raid controller. Particular LSI 9300 SAS HBA card can be used widely by Dell gen 11, 12, 13 Servers. Please try with supported RAID controller card, and lower version of TruNAS OS. might be it will solved your issue.

Hope, I could provide you with clear and helpful instructions. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help!

Have a great day!!

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