Dell PowerEdge C2100 FS12-TY Unknown Expander, PERC 6i/r - error(?) dDm

Hi,

Try removing the jumper on the expander labeled LSI SAS controller.

Our backplane does not look like that. I removed the backplane and took some pictures.

These are the only jumpers on the backplane.

Here is the only part number of sorts I can find. But Google reveals nothing for this part number.

Four different servers same symptoms. With or without drives. We've tried different capacities, SAS 10K, SAS 15K and SATA. We have 6 other servers we can check for the same symptoms but I find it highly likely to be no different. One thing I noticed is on the Perc6i/r it reports a firmware version the doesn't exist.

Are they a lost cause then? Were they potentially programmed to only except one combination of drives? What would our recourse be.

Is it just a single server that has the issue or all of them? You may try pulling the drives and see if it works with nothing connected to the backplane.

The PERC firmware being different is because these systems were not designed for general sale, they were custom orders that got resold. There is no offical firmware or documentation on them.

Maybe somebody else with these has seen this and has a way to get them to work. It sounds like a configuration issue of some sort, since it happens on all of the servers. I have not been able to find any information on the error.

Thank you for your help. The servers have service tags but looking them up finds nothing.

Actually it appears I looked up the wrong part number for the backplane. The part number is: DAS45TB28B0

The Dell P/N is: MF0YR

What cards would support this backplane?

Hello Zikeji,

We're in the same boat as you. We purchased several C2100 units and they're all basically junk. I can't find updates, Dell does not support them nor will they even help.

I believe Craig from Dell said that these units were made specially for some application for some company. We bought several of these from DSI. I'm not sure if DSI was the original owners but I don't believe so. they're probably a seller for companies renewing their hardware.

I've been doing the same as you, trying to find firmware updates, bios updates, etc. but all without any luck. Even though the machines we purchased have Perc6/I and H700 cards they don't seem to take the firmware that's on Dell's site. I get the same message as you, that the system is not compatible.

The message I get is that these units are CS2100 FS12-TY systems, Cloud Storage (CS2100) units not C2100 units. Not sure what the difference is...

Just wanted to let you know we're in the same boat as you... we wasted a lot of money buying these units just to find out that they're single-purpose non-upgradable units.

Sincerely,

David.

I did have a similar problem with standard firmware it does not recognize sata drives as 6G, sas are OK.  I try to update the motherboard firmware and have brick the server.

Found unbrick procedure but need original BMC and BIOS firmware.  

Is anyone kind enough to extract and facilitate these files or any other experiences when brick on of these server?

I'm finding that there is a major lack of support for the CS2100 units, compared to the C2100. 

There should be a way to flash the mb, bmc, and perc/h7## card to standard firmware also, making the CS2100units the same as a standard C2100.

As you said RPERAZA26... is there anyone kind enough to extract the bios from a C2100 unit? 

We purchased a few of these units, not knowing, and completely lied to, by the vendor as C2100 units. 

We didn't know they were CS2100, 'supposedly specially made' for customers. 

In doing searches on the net I keep getting directed to ebay and sellers selling these units also as a C2100 unit when they're really a CS2100. 

I think it's time to go to legal to remedy this. We have too much invested to let them go to trash.

Dave.

Not sure if this thread is still being monitored, but I use the FS12-TY and have all the required files (BIOS, BMC, PERC, etc.)

Even though they are not "technically" a C2100, they are pretty much the same in every other way.  I personally have not came across anything that is not (as of yet).

Only thing is that they are not officially supported by Dell, but they are older and I would doubt a C2100 would still be under warranty.

Anyways, if I see that a reply is posted I will be sure to try and help out.  When these are properly running they are quite (really quite) and a great all around system..  I have four running next to me in my Server Rack and can talk on speaker phone without anyone knowing...

I've picked up two of these and while I can't flash the BIOS to bring it current, my only issue thus far is that the 3 x 2TB drives I attempted to add in a RAID-5 are only showing 2TB, instead of 4TB...odd...

Hoping YOU still monitor this thread & can't point me in the right direction!

Thanks...