LSI 9300

LSI 9300-XX SAS/SATA Host Bus Adaptor (HBA).

IT Mode

Initiator Target (IT) mode disables hardware RAID and passes individual drives directly to the OS.

Performance differences between Hardware RAID and IT mode are negligible except for very specific circumstances on high-end cards. Never use RAID 5 because of write hole issues.

Flashing IT Mode

See reference documentation for in depth explanations.

Use 16.00.12.00+

SATA drives may experience performance issues due to controller resets on older firmware versions. Always use the latest version available.

Detach Disks

Always detach drives until flashing is completed. This will prevent any issue during the flashing process.

Create FreeDOS boot USB

Use Rufus to create a bootable FreeDOS USB drive. This may be done in Linux but is easier to accomplish with Rufus.

Download Binaries
bootx64.efi: UEFI Shell Boot File
mptsas3.rom: Legacy BIOS ROM
mpt3x64.rom: UEFI BIOS ROM
sas3flash.efi: Flashing tool
SAS9300_8i_IT.bin: 16.00.12.00 IT mode firmware
Rufus
- Device: USB Device
- Boot Selection: Free-DOS
- Start
Copy files and create directories as needed:
- EFI/Boot/bootx64.efi
- mptsas3.rom
- mpt3x64.rom
- sas3flash.efi
- SAS9300_8i_IT.bin

Prep Hardware

Record the SAS address on the card. This is required to set the address after flashing the firmware. It will look something like SAS Address: 500605B 00A6776D0.

Locate Flashing Jumper

Removing the jumper will place the card in flashing mode and will be displayed on boot. Run through the suspected jumpers until this is found.

Jumper should be inserted before continuing.

Reset to Factory Defaults

Flashing jumper must be inserted

Boot the USB drive. You will be placed in a UEFI shell.

# Find the correct filesystem to mount; this is typically FS0.
Shell> map -r
Shell> fs0:
fs0:\>

# list files and verify they are the files above. If not, mount another
# filesystem and try again.
fs0:\> dir
> EFI
> sas3flash.efi
> SAS9300_8i_IT.bin
> ...

# List HBA adaptors; SAS addresses will be listed, ensure a correct match.
fs0:\> sas3flash.efi -list
> Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
> Version 11.00.00.00 (2015.08.04)
> Copyright 2008-2015 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.
>
> Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)
>
> Controller Number           : 0
> Controller                  : SAS3008(C0)
> PCI Address                 : 00:81:00:00
> SAS Address                 : 5003048-0-14A2-7B00
> NVDATA Version (Default)    : 02.06.00.12
> NVDATA Version (Persistent) : 02.06.00.12
> Firmware Product ID         : 0x2721 (IR)
> Firmware Version            : 02.00.02.00
> NVDATA Vendor               : LSI
> NVDATA Product ID           : LSI3008-IR
> BIOS Version                : 08.05.00.00
> UEFI BSD Version            : 03.00.00.00
> FCODE Version               : N/A
> Board Name                  : LSI3008-IR
> Board Assembly              : N/A
> Board Tracer Number         : N/A
>
> Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
> Exiting SAS3Flesh.

# A "Controller is not operational. A firmware download is required." message
# may appear. This just means a firmware update (which you are about to do) is
# required. Type "quit" to return to the prompt.

# Reset device to factory defaults. This will validate the firmware and reset
# to factory defaults in preparation for updates. Use the correct model.
fs0:\> sas3flash.efi -f SAS9300_8i_IT.bin -noreset
> Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
> Version 14.00.00.00 (2016.07.21)
> Copyright 2008-2016 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.
>
> Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)
>
> Executing Operation: Flash Firmware Image
>
>     Firmware Image has a Valid Checksum.
>     Firmware Version 13.00.00.00
>     Firmware Image compatible with Controller.
>
>     Valid NVDATA Image found.
>     NVDATA Major Version 0B.02
>     Checking for a compatible NVData image...
>
>     NVDATA Device ID and Chip Revision match verified.
>     Valid Initialization Image verified.
>     Valid BootLoader Image verified.
>
> Chip is in RESET state. Attempting Host Boot...
> Firmware Host Boot Successful.
>
> Mfg Page 2 Mismatch Detected.
> Writing Current Mfg Page 2 Settings to NVRAM.
> Updated Mfg Page 2.
>
> Resetting Adapter...

# Power down the system and REMOVE the flashing jumper. Removing the jumper
# will enable erasing NVRAM firmware on the device.

Flash New Firmware

Replace the card with the jumper removed and boot into the same USB UEFI shell again.

# Erase the current firmware.
fs0:\> sas3flash.efi -o -e 7
> Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
> Version 14.00.00.00 (2016.07.21)
> Copyright 2008-2016 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.
>
> Advanced Mode Set
>
> Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)
>
> Executing Operation: Erase Flash
>
> Erasing Entire Flash Region (including MPB)...
>
> Erase Flash Operation Successful!
>
> Resetting Adapter...
> Reset Successful!
>
> Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
> Exiting SAS3Flash.

# Flash the IT mode firmware and ROM's to the device. Use the correct model.
fs0:\> sas3flash.efi -f SAS9300_8i_IT.bin -b mptsas3.rom -b mpt3x64.rom
> Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
> Version 14.00.00.00 (2016.07.21)
> Copyright 2008-2016 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.
>
> Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)
>
> Executing Operation: Flash Firmware Image
>
>     Firmware Image has a Valid Checksum.
>     Firmware Version 13.00.00.00
>     Firmware Image compatible with Controller.
>
>     Valid NVDATA Image found.
>     NVDATA Major Version 0B.02
>     Checking for a compatible NVData image...
>
>     NVDATA Device ID and Chip Revision match verified.
>     NVDATA SubSystem Vendor and SubSystem Device ID match verified.
>     Valid Initialization Image verified.
>     Valid BootLoader Image verified.
>
> Chip is in RESET state. Attempting Host Boot...
> Firmware Host Boot Successful.
>
> Mfg Page 2 Mismatch Detected.
> Writing Current Mfg Page 2 Settings to NVRAM.
> Updated Mfg Page 2.
>
> Resetting Adapter...

# Set the SAS address recorded previously. Do NOT use spaces or hyphens.
fs0:\> sas3flash.efi -o -sasadd 500605B00A6776D0
> Avago Technologies SAS3 Flash Utility
> Version 14.00.00.00 (2016.07.21)
> Copyright 2008-2016 Avago Technologies. All rights reserved.
>
> Advanced Mode Set
>
> Adapter Selected is a Avago SAS: SAS3008(C0)
>
> Executing Operation: Program SAS Address
>
> SAS Address Successfully Programmed!
>
> Resetting Adapter...
> Adapter Successfully Reset
>
> Finished Processing Commands Successfully.
> Exiting SAS3Flash.

# Confirm SAS address is correct. This should list the updated firmware.
fs0:\> sas3flash.efi -list

# Power down the system and REPLACE the flashing jumper.

Use Active Cooling

LSI cards are designed to have active airflow over the device. Home systems must mount a fan to ensure adequate cooling.

Buy a 40x10mm fan fan and 3D print a mount in PETG to mount active cooling on the device for home systems.