M.2 2280 NVMe drive and the S2600STQ

[RSump1]

Attempting to setup a S2600STQ server using a M.2 2280 NVMe drive in the "Top Connector". BIOS is set to UEFI mode. The drive is not being seen. Tried loading drivers, that didn't work. What configuration do I have wrong????

Thanks
Ray

[IntelSupport]

Hello RSump1,

Thank you for posting your question on this Intel® Community.

To better understand the issue your system is experiencing, I would like to gather additional information about this behavior.

• Are you trying to boot from this drive?
• What is the BIOS running on the system? Please specify the version.
• Is the AHCI Capable SATA Controller set to AHCI or RAID?
• Please provide the drive model or part number.

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[RSump1]

Hello Wanner,

 The motherboard has the latest bios, downloaded from Intel a few days ago. The  processor is a single Silver 4114, and there is 48GB of RAM installed.

 The NVMe SSD I am attempting to use is a Micron 800GB 7300 Max ( I attached the product brief). I am attempting to use the SSD as the boot drive (no RAID). It is installed in the Top Connector – PCIe x4 / sSATA port 1. I am using an Intel RSP3TD160F with 4 SAS drives in a RAID 10. I am assuming that I have BIOS configured incorrectly and that is why the NVMe SSD drive is not showing up.

Thanks, Ray

[IntelSupport]

Hello RSump1,

Thank you for your response.

It is expected behavior that any NVMe drive like an M.2 NVMe 80mm drive does not appear on BIOS as a boot device until you install an operating system.

The operating system installer must be booted in UEFI mode. Booting in UEFI enables the installer to create an entry in the UEFI boot menu and create a UEFI system partition on the boot device that will contain the bootloaders of installed operating systems.

• Is the OS already installed on this drive?
• Also, we understand that you are running the Intel® Server Board S2600ST Family BIOS and Firmware Update Package for UEFI Version: 02.01.0012. Is this correct?

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[RSump1]

I am running the latest bios (System BIOS - R02.01.0012, ME Firmware - 04.01.04.381, BMC Firmware - 2.48.89b32e0d and FRUSDR - 1.80)

The goal is to install the operating system on the NVMe M.2 2280 drive. There is no operating system installed on the server. The bootable USB is Server 2019 and has been used previously for installation of Server 2019 on systems in UEFI mode, so I know it works. Are there settings in the BIOS that need to be done for installation to happen or should I just give up and use a SATA M.2 2280 drive? I need this server up and running by close of business Tuesday the 24th of November.

Thanks, Ray

[IntelSupport]

Hello RSump1,

Thank you for your response.

The system requirements to use an M.2 PCIe* NVMe drive as a bootable device are:

AHCI Capable SATA Controller set to AHCI and boot mode set to UEFI in BIOS. However, you are already using this configuration.

If I understand correctly, the drive is not visible in Windows Setup > Where do you want to install Windows? Is this correct?

We are currently investigating this behavior further, and will update this thread soon.

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[IntelSupport]

Hello RSump1,

I am updating this thread to assist you as soon as possible.

To provide accurate information about this behavior, I would like to gather the following details:

• Is the drive visible during the OS setup?
• What OS are you planning on using? Is it a version of Windows*?

We also noticed that there is another ticket describing the same drive behavior. Kindly let us know which case you would like to continue working on to do our best to help you.

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[RSump1]

The drive is not visible during setup, I am attempting to install Server 2019 Standard.

[IntelSupport]

Hello RSump1,

Thank you for your response.

First, it is worth noting that it is possible to boot from an M.2 NVMe drive using the Intel® Server Board S2600ST Family (Intel® Server Board S2600STB and Intel® Server Board S2600STQ). 

In this scenario, one of our recommendations, if possible, is that you try using another M.2 NVMe drive for testing purposes since the BIOS settings you are using are correct and should allow the installation of the operating system on this NVMe M.2 drive.

In addition, is the RAID 10 still configured on the system? If it is not configured, you can try to load BIOS default settings and attempt to install the OS one more time.

Note: Please do not attempt this last step if RAID 10 is running on the system.

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[RSump1]

I have tried another M.2 NVMe drive and get the same results, drive not being seen. I know a SATA M.2 drive works fine so that is the route I'm going to take. I'm sensing that either there is a setting in BIOS that needs to be set for the M.2 NVMe drive to be seen or that a M.2 NVMe drive will not work in that server board. Looking at the Intel ARK for that board, under the compatible components, an M.2 NVMe drive is NOT listed though the Technical Product Specifications make reference to using an M.2 NVMe drive. I know that 2.5" NVMe drives attached to the Oculink connectors do work.

I can't afford to spend anymore time attempting to get an M.2 NVMe drive to work and have gone to an Intel SATA M.2 drive.

Thanks, Ray

[RSump1]

Just as a concern, could this board be defective? It is running dual Silver 4110s and 64GB of DDR4 RAM.

Thanks, Ray

[IntelSupport]

Hello RSump1,

I would like to do further research about this behavior since you are unable to install the OS even after using another M.2 NVMe drive.

• Could you please provide the model of the other drive you have tested?
• Does these drives work in other systems?

It is worth noting that we do not consider the board defective.

To view a list of compatible drives, you can check the following site:

Intel Tested Hardware and Operating System List (THOL)

https://serverconfigurator.intel.com/exodus/page?eventType=11&targetPageId=120203011&defaultFlag=1

Demo: How to Navigate or Use the Intel® Server Configurator Tool

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000031125/server-products.html

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[RSump1]

I purchased an Intel SSDPEKKA010T701. It is NOT being seen, no matter what driver I use. Is there a setting in BIOS that I need to set? We/I really cannot afford to spend much more time on this as the client is getting annoyed that the server is not in place yet. We are past the delivery date by 4 days.

Thanks, Ray

[IntelSupport]

Hello RSump1,

Based on the information you have provided, the server is already configured with the BIOS settings required for the drive to work.

Some NVMe drives will not show up in BIOS, but once you start the operating system installation process, it should be recognized and allow the setup to be performed in the NVMe M.2 drive. 

It is important to note that the NVMe M.2 drive will not show within the AHCI Mass Storage menu at BIOS since that controller handles SATA devices, not NVMe PCIe.

Please allow us to investigate this behavior further. We will update this thread soon.

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[RSump1]

So I need to ask, when a single M.2 NVMe drive is used, is there a driver necessary for the OS to install to it? I know with the NVMe drives on the Oculink connectors, I will need to use a driver to install the OS on them. Is it the same for a M.2 NVMe drive?

Thanks, Ray

[IntelSupport]

Hello RSump1,

Thank you for your response.

Based on your server configuration, there is no driver required to install an OS into an M.2 NVMe drive.

After reviewing the details provided, we can conclude that the probable cause of this behavior is a defect on the board. Our recommendation is that you replace the board or continue using a SATA M.2 drive to boot the OS.

Kindly let us know if you would like to replace the board.

It is important to note that there are currently two cases opened describing the same issue. Please let us know if you would like to close this thread, or the case created via a chat session.

Regards,

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[RSump1]

Hello Wanner, if Intel is willing to replace the board, that would be great! I will deliver the server tomorrow with the M.2 SATA drive in place. The data is kept on SAS drives, so a swap would be easy. I attached a picture of the board's sticker. Please let me know what I need to do on my side to make this happen. In reference to the 2 cases, I panicked when things were not configuring correctly. The other case can be closed.

Thanks, Ray (Idaho Tech Solutions)

[IntelSupport]

Hello RSump1,

Thank you for providing additional details about the system.

According to the markings of the board, it is an Intel® Server Board S2600STBR, and it is under warranty. 

To gather the necessary information to continue working on this request, we will send you a message to the email address associated with your profile. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[IntelSupport]

Hello RSump1,

We sent you a follow-up email that contains an update about your request.

Regards,

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[IntelSupport · Accepted solution]

Hello RSump1,

This is a follow-up post to know if the replacement board addressed the issue reported on this thread.

If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us back.

Wanner G.

Intel Server Specialist

[RSump1]

Hello Wanner,

  The replacement board did the trick!

Thank you,

Ray Sumperl