Enclosure services configuration for the LSI 9750 with the SuperMicro 826TQ, 836TQ or 846TQ.
See also KB16146 and KB15859
See KB16633 regarding the J1A4 I2C connector on the 9750.
This article describes the integration of the LSI 9750 controller and the Supermicro 826TQ, 836TQ or 846TQ backplanes with respect to internal enclosure services. These internal system backplanes include one or more AMI 9072 enclosure processors. The LSI 9750 series of controllers uses the I2C interface and protocol to communicate with the AMI 9072 enclosure processors via sideband cables. The I2C infrastructure provides support for the direct attach drive status lights (power, identify, error) and backplane connected peripherals like fans and temperature sensors.
This article applies to LSI 9750 controllers running 10.2 FW (v5.12.00.001) or later. This article was written to support Supermicro 826TQ, 836TQ or 846TQ backplanes versions 1.1 or later. Earlier versions of the 826TQ and 836TQ (version 1.x) can be used with the LSI 9750 controller if jumpers are set according to the tables found later in this article. The 3.x backplane versions will not have all of the jumpers in the table. At the time of this writing, the current version of the 846TQ is 3.1. The current version of the 836TQ is version 3.2.
This article does not apply to LSI 9750 configurations that use expander based backplanes, internal or external. The LSI 9750 supports enclosure services for expanders using a SES based data path protocol. In configurations with expanders, both data and enclosure services information use only the 4 lane SAS cables without a need for the sideband connections.
The number of connecting cables between the LSI 9750 and the Supermicro TQ series of backplanes are based on the number of drives, the LSI 9750 model, and the specific “TQ” backplane used. One 4 lane mini SAS breakout (direct attach) cable is used for every 4 drives.
The AMI 9072 enclosure processor supports drives in groups of 8 with one I2C sideband connection that is a part of the mini SAS breakout cable. For each group of 8 drives, the I2C sideband cable is used with the first of two mini SAS breakout cables. The I2C sideband connector on the second mini SAS breakout cable should not be used or connected to anything.
846TQ Cable Connections
With a rear view of the backplane, the first four drives are on the lowest row of the drive bays, with the first drive in the lower right hand corner. The first AMI 9072 enclosure processor manages the two lowest rows of drives, with the drives numbered right to left (rear view of backplane). For example, drives 0-3 are on the first row.
836TQ Cable
Connections
With a rear view of the backplane, the first four drives are
in column 0, on the right, with the first drive in the lower right hand
corner. The first AMI 9072 enclosure
processor behind JP66 manages the drives in columns 0 and 1. A second AMI 9072 enclosure processor behind
JP75 manages the drives in columns 2 and 3.
826TQ Cable Connections
With a rear view of the backplane, the first drive is in the lower right hand corner. The order of controller ports and drives goes up column 0 and continues from the bottom on the next column to the left. The 12th drive is located at the top of column 3. An AMI 9072 enclosure processor behind JP66 manages the first 8 drives. An AMI 9071 enclosure processor behind JP75 manages the last 4 drives.
The Cables
This description is based on the Molex IPass Cable Assembly, part 79536. The full Molex part number used to develop this article is 79536-3025 where the “3025” denotes a 1 meter length and the sideband is wired with “pinout 3”. Refer to the Molex cable specification “SD-79536-300” for more information.
The cable used for the first 4 drives associated with an AMI enclosure processor requires a modified “IPass cable assembly with sidebands”. The cable used for the second 4 drives associated with an AMI enclosure processor doesn’t require the modification and its “P4” sideband cable is not used. These cables come with multiple pinout options and lengths. The cable needed in this application is “pinout type 3”.
Figure
1: IPASS Cable Assy, 36 CKT to SATA Style 1X Fanout with Sidebands, pinout 3,
Molex 79536 This cable requires a
modification to the “P4” sideband cable. See below.
Figure 2: The removal of signal SB6 on the connector pin 1.
The P4 sideband cable conductor for I2C signal SB6 must be disconnected between the 9750 controller and the TQ backplane. This signal is on the ribbon cable pin 1, with a red stripe. The pin can be ejected from the connector case and taped back as shown, or one can cut the wire near the connector case. Insulating tape or heat shrink tubing is required to insure that this pin does not come in contract with other electrical components. If the wire is cut, ensure there are no strands of wire that could touch the other signal conductors. In this picture, connector pin 1 is on the top of two rows, closest to the observer. On the connector shell, pin 1 has a molded triangular arrow.
Additional Jumper Settings for Backplane Version 1.x (Jumpers not available on the 3.x versions)
Refer to the Supermicro “SAS 8x6TQ Backplane User’s Guide” or the “SC8x6 Chassis Series User’s Manual” for the jumper locations. In these documentation titles, the “x” could be a “2”, “3” or “4”.
This table does not include jumper settings for the Fans or Buzzers. Refer to the Supermicro documentation for fan and buzzer information.
Blanks in the table below indicate that no jumper pins are present for configuration.
