LSI SAS IT Mode Firmware Guide

Flashing an LSI SAS controller to IT Mode firmware is a critical procedure for many enthusiasts and professionals building or upgrading their storage servers. Unlike IR (Integrated RAID) Mode, which handles hardware RAID, IT Mode transforms your Host Bus Adapter (HBA) into a simple pass-through device.

This allows the operating system, or software like FreeNAS, unRAID, or ZFS, to directly control individual drives, enabling robust software-defined storage solutions. This LSI SAS IT Mode Firmware Guide will provide a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough to help you successfully complete this process.

Understanding LSI SAS IT Mode Firmware

Before diving into the flashing process, it’s important to understand what LSI SAS IT Mode firmware does and why it’s preferred for certain applications. IT Mode, or Initiator-Target Mode, essentially turns your LSI SAS controller into a “dumb” HBA.

It bypasses any on-board RAID capabilities, presenting each connected drive individually to the operating system. This is fundamental for environments where software RAID solutions are utilized, as they require direct access to the raw disks.

Why Flash to IT Mode?

Software RAID Compatibility: Essential for ZFS, FreeNAS, unRAID, and other software RAID implementations that manage drive arrays at the operating system level.
Performance: Can sometimes offer better performance for specific workloads by reducing the overhead of an on-board RAID controller.
Drive Monitoring: Allows for direct monitoring of individual drive health and S.M.A.R.T. data, which is crucial for data integrity and early failure detection.
Flexibility: Provides greater flexibility in configuring storage pools and arrays without being constrained by the HBA’s hardware RAID limitations.

Prerequisites for LSI SAS IT Mode Firmware Flashing

Before you begin the LSI SAS IT Mode firmware flashing process, gather all necessary components and prepare your system. Proper preparation is key to a smooth and successful update.

Required Hardware and Software

LSI SAS HBA: The specific controller you intend to flash (e.g., LSI 9211-8i, LSI 9207-8i).
USB Drive: A small USB flash drive (2GB-8GB is typically sufficient) formatted as FAT32.
Another Computer: A working computer to download files and create the bootable USB.
Firmware Files: The correct LSI SAS IT Mode firmware package for your specific controller model. This usually includes the firmware image (.BIN or .FW), the bootloader, and the SAS2FLASH utility.
UEFI or Legacy BIOS: Ensure your motherboard supports booting from USB in either UEFI or Legacy BIOS mode, depending on your flashing method.

Important Considerations

Backup Your Data: While flashing the HBA itself doesn’t directly affect your drives, it’s always wise to back up any critical data before performing system-level changes.
Power Supply: Ensure a stable power supply during the entire flashing process to prevent interruptions that could brick the card.
Compatibility: Verify that the LSI SAS IT Mode firmware version you download is compatible with your specific HBA model. Using incorrect firmware can render your card inoperable.

Step-by-Step LSI SAS IT Mode Firmware Guide

This section outlines the detailed steps to flash your LSI SAS controller to IT Mode firmware. We will focus on a common method using a FreeDOS bootable USB drive, which is widely compatible.

Step 1: Download Necessary Files

First, obtain the correct LSI SAS IT Mode firmware for your card. You’ll typically need:

Firmware Image: The actual IT Mode firmware file (e.g., 2118it.bin for LSI 9211-8i, 9207_8i_IT.bin for LSI 9207-8i).
Bootloader: The corresponding bootloader (e.g., mptsas2.rom or sbr.bin).
SAS2FLASH Utility: The flashing utility for DOS (e.g., sas2flash.efi for UEFI or sas2flash.exe for DOS).
FreeDOS USB Creator: A tool like Rufus to create a bootable FreeDOS USB drive.

Place all these files, except the USB creator, into a single, easily accessible folder on your computer.

Step 2: Create a Bootable FreeDOS USB Drive

Use Rufus or a similar utility to create a bootable USB drive:

Insert your USB drive into your computer.
Open Rufus.
Select your USB drive under “Device”.
Choose “FreeDOS” under “Boot selection”.
Click “Start” and confirm the warning to format the drive.

Once the FreeDOS USB is created, copy all the firmware files (firmware image, bootloader, SAS2FLASH utility) directly to the root of the USB drive.

Step 3: Prepare Your System for Flashing

Install the LSI SAS HBA into a PCIe slot on the motherboard of the computer you will use for flashing. Disconnect all hard drives from the HBA to prevent any data loss or interference during the process.

Ensure the system is stable and that you have access to the BIOS/UEFI settings to change the boot order.

Step 4: Boot into FreeDOS and Erase Existing Firmware

Boot your system from the FreeDOS USB drive. You may need to adjust the boot order in your BIOS/UEFI settings.

Once at the FreeDOS command prompt (e.g., C:\>), you will use the sas2flash utility. First, identify your controller:

sas2flash -listall

This command will display information about your LSI SAS controller, including its adapter number (usually 0).

Next, erase the existing firmware and BIOS. This is a crucial step for a clean flash:

sas2flash -o -e 6

The -e 6 flag erases both the firmware and the BIOS. Confirm the erase operation when prompted. After erasing, power off your system completely for a few seconds, then power it back on and boot into FreeDOS again.

Step 5: Flash the LSI SAS IT Mode Firmware

With the old firmware erased, you can now flash the new LSI SAS IT Mode firmware. At the FreeDOS prompt, execute the following commands, replacing [YOUR_FIRMWARE_FILE] and [YOUR_BOOTLOADER_FILE] with the actual names of your downloaded files:

sas2flash -o -f [YOUR_FIRMWARE_FILE] -b [YOUR_BOOTLOADER_FILE]

For example, if you are flashing an LSI 9211-8i with firmware version 20.00.07.00 and bootloader mptsas2.rom, the command would be:

sas2flash -o -f 2118it.bin -b mptsas2.rom

Wait for the flashing process to complete. It should indicate a successful update. Once finished, power off your system.

Step 6: Verify the Firmware (Optional but Recommended)

After flashing, it’s a good practice to verify that the LSI SAS IT Mode firmware has been successfully applied. Power on your system and boot back into FreeDOS.

Run the sas2flash -listall command again. It should now show the updated IT Mode firmware version.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the LSI SAS IT Mode firmware flashing process is generally straightforward, issues can arise. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

“No LSI SAS Adapters Found”: Ensure the HBA is properly seated in the PCIe slot. Try a different PCIe slot if available. Sometimes, legacy BIOS settings or CSM (Compatibility Support Module) in UEFI need to be enabled.
“Firmware Download Failed”: Double-check that the firmware file name in your command matches the file on the USB drive exactly. Ensure the file is not corrupted.
Bricked Card: If the flashing process is interrupted or incorrect firmware is used, the card might become unresponsive. In some cases, specialized recovery procedures or a different flashing method (e.g., using a different system or an external programmer) might be necessary, though this is beyond the scope of this LSI SAS IT Mode Firmware Guide.
Incorrect Firmware Version: Always ensure you download the correct LSI SAS IT Mode firmware for your specific controller model. A mismatch can cause instability or prevent the card from functioning correctly.

Conclusion

Successfully flashing your LSI SAS controller to IT Mode firmware is a significant step towards unlocking the full potential of your storage server, especially when utilizing advanced software RAID solutions. By following this LSI SAS IT Mode Firmware Guide, you have equipped yourself with the knowledge and steps needed to perform this critical upgrade.

Remember to always use the correct firmware for your specific card and to exercise caution throughout the process. With your LSI SAS HBA now operating in IT Mode, you are ready to build a powerful and flexible storage system tailored to your needs. Explore the capabilities of your newly flashed controller with your preferred software RAID solution and enjoy enhanced control over your storage infrastructure.