[OmniOS-discuss] RAID/SAS Controller Recommendations

[Nate Smith]

I'm looking to install a new Omnios server on a Dell T710 server with an HP MDS 600 RAID Cabinet.

I currently run a similar setup with OpenIndiana and an MDS600.  On this machine, I use LSI-9285-8e controllers, which are the LSISAS2208 Chipset.  All targets are set to JBOD pass/thru mode.  This was a finicky setup when I got it going on OI, and it took the Solaris drivers for the card to get it work.  I could never get the setup to work with an LSI 9201-16e.  It would not play nice with the SAS expanders (yes, all my disks are SAS).  The nice upshot with the 9285  was that I could use the Megaraid Utility for monitoring, and the hardware drivers handled the dual attached SAS perfectly.  But...  I have had the occasional hardware lockup when using Napp-it.  

Forward to 18 months later, and I want to switch to Omnios, or at least test, and I've purchased another MDS600 cabinet off ebay to do it.  I'm looking at controllers, and I've noticed that the OmniOS compatibility list is pretty extensive.  I'm thinking about getting 9286-8e again, which is still based on the LSISAS2208 Chipset, but is PCIE 3.0 instead of 2.0 (which really is a negligible difference).  Can anyone recommend any other controllers to look at?  I was perusing the LSI SAS2308 based chipsets, but I'm not sure how mature the drivers are.  

So if anyone knows any controllers which they've worked with an HP MDS600, dual attached, etc, that would be great.  Otherwise, any words of wisdom would be appreciated.  Thanks.

-Nate