[S5520SC] Intel embedded Server Raid II [slow; writeback cache not able to activate]

[idata]

Hi

My system configuration:

S5520SC

2 * X5660

6 * 4 GB Kingstons RAM8800GTS 320MB

2 * Intel SSD X25-M

OS: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2

I've created a raid 0 volume with my two ssd drives. The performance sucks! (had a ICH9R P35 Chipset and reached nearly 550 MB/s with read and 180 with write, no hangs, no problems - now with embedded raid II i only reach about 210 MB/s read, 80 write and when an application is installed everything else hangs!)

I think the problem is the write back cache, it is enabled in the settings (according to raid-bios and webconsole) but the checkbox on the volume in the device manager is not checked, if i try to do so a error message appears saying windows is unable to change the state of write back cache.

Any ideas so far?

My wish would be to run the Intel Rapid Storage Technology on this Board, since I only want Raid-0 and no Server-features!!! (i also want to utilize the TRIM-Commands which are available in the newest driver release - THAT would be great!!) - if anybody can make me a bios with RST instead auf IESRT2 i would be REALLY greatful!! - but that's just a sidenote!

Hope somebody is able to help me!

thanks

best regards

[Edward_Z_Intel]

Did you check that: http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/sb/CS-031086.htm http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/sb/CS-031086.htm

You may also try to enable disk cache using Raid Web Console 2.

[idata]

Yes that one i figured out by myself, but that's not the Problem - the cpu-chart is at 0-1 % so there's not the problem,

even during the performance test it's not higher!

Raid Web Console 2 says that the Write Back Cache is enabled, the Raid-Bios-Tool too

[Edward_Z_Intel]

I did some tests using IOMeter today. With driver 13.13.1021.2009, I got 139 MBps read and 509 MBps write (32KB sequential), which is within expectation. What's your driver version? How did you run the test?

[idata]

Here are some benchmarks i made: (i think it's the newest driver - i've downloaded the newest version from the intel website and also updated the bios to the newest)

http://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_IESRTII_2SSD_Queue_2.png http://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_IESRTII_2SSD_Queue_2.pnghttp://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_IESRTII_2SSD_Queue_4.png http://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_IESRTII_2SSD_Queue_4.pnghttp://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_IESRTII_2SSD_Queue_8.png http://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_IESRTII_2SSD_Queue_8.png

for comparison here with the same tool with just one ssd and Intel Matrix Storage

http://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_Queue_2.png http://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_Queue_2.pnghttp://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_Queue_4.png http://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_Queue_4.pnghttp://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_Queue_8.png http://notebooks.ccs.at/Workstation_Queue_8.png

[Edward_Z_Intel]

I tried to run ATTO 2.46 several times on my system. The results vary from time to time, but it's not bad. Changing "Total Length" to 2GB may get you more accurate result.

Can you double check your driver version? Also check your SSD firmware version.

[idata]

Your results look way better than mine!

Is the Checkbox for writeback cache in the device manager enabled?

Driver version is the same as yours (13.13.1021.2009)

The hickups you see in my results also happen during normal operation, then everything hangs and after 1-2 sec it's going back to normal

[Edward_Z_Intel]

No writeback cache in device manager can't be enabled on ESRT2... It's controlled in RAID Web Console 2 and is enabled by default.

Did you check your SSD firmware revision?

[idata]

Today the Motherboard died

Do you think that one had a error so that it had these problems?

Firmware version on both is 02HD (had HA there was a typo)