Background
If the system configuration includes multiple LSI 3ware 9750 controllers, there is a feature of the 3ware BIOS extension that supports the configuration of up to three boards in a single 3BM BIOS session. If there are more than 3 boards, the additional boards can be configured in a subsequent 3BM session, which will appear upon the exit of the first 3BM session. One does not have to enter the first 3BM session to gain access to the subsequent 3BM session.
Earlier versions of the 3BM supported the configuration of 4 controllers at one time. This number was reduced to provide support for drives that provide more than 2TB of storage. Larger internal data tables required a cutback in the number of controllers that could be managed in a single 3BM session.
In configurations with a combination of older 3ware controllers, the older controllers will not appear in a single 3BM session, they will be configurable in a subsequent session of 3BM, which will have a different feature set, consistent with the older controller features.
If the system configuration includes drives that are larger than 2TB, all of the 9750 controllers in the system must be configured with 10.2 Firmware or later. Older firmware versions of the 9750 controller won’t support the larger drives. Using a mix of 9750 firmware versions with these larger drives can cause a 'parameter table failure' error message.
Configuration of systems with more than 3 controllers
On a Supermicro X7DWN+ motherboard with Phoenix motherboard BIOS (other motherboards with Phoenix BIOS may also be affected by this issue), one won’t see the second instance of the 3ware BIOS needed for access to the fourth controller under the following conditions:
- Phoenix BIOS with the BIOS default settings
- More than three 9750 controllers using the 10.2 Firmware.
One of two independent Phoenix BIOS setting changes will enable 3BM support with four or more boards. Both Phoenix BIOS options are located in the Phoenix BIOS setup on the “advanced” page under ”PCI Configuration”.
- By default, “Option Rom Re-Placement” is disabled. Use the “enabled” setting.
- By default, the Option Rom Scan for all slots are "enabled" with a Phoenix BIOS feature to "disable" under each slot listed on this BIOS page. Set the Option ROM Scan to “disable” on one of the first three discovered boards (usually slot 3, slot 5 or slot 6).