The performance you're seeing on the BOSS-S2 controller with M.2 NVMe drives (750MB/s read and 230MB/s write) is significantly lower than expected for NVMe SSDs. This could be due to several reasons:
## Potential Causes
1. **RAID Configuration**: The BOSS-S2 controller is designed for boot drives, not high-performance storage. Configuring the M.2 drives in RAID1 can limit the performance compared to running them individually.[1]
2. **Drive Specifications**: The Micron MTFDDAV240TDU is an entry-level NVMe SSD with lower performance compared to higher-end drives. Its specifications list up to 1600MB/s sequential read and 600MB/s sequential write speeds, which are closer to what you're seeing.[5]
3. **Driver/Firmware Issues**: Outdated drivers or firmware on the BOSS-S2 controller or the M.2 drives could be limiting performance. Check for updates from Dell and Micron.
4. **System Configuration**: Factors like PCIe lane configuration, CPU utilization, and other system settings can impact storage performance.
## Comparison with Spinning Disks
The significantly higher performance you're seeing on the spinning disk RAID arrays (7000MB/s) is expected, as they are designed for high-performance storage workloads, unlike the BOSS-S2 which is primarily for booting.[1][5] Spinning disks in RAID5/RAID1 can achieve very high throughput, especially for sequential workloads.
In summary, the lower M.2 performance could be due to the BOSS-S2 controller limitations, entry-level drive specifications, or system configuration issues. Updating drivers/firmware and considering higher-end NVMe drives or a dedicated storage controller may improve performance.[1][5]
It could be an incompatibility issue. I'm pretty sure the BOSS-S1 card is from Dell? Do you have the DPN# for us to check? What slot in the server did you install the BOSS-S1 card on? Do you have the model no# of the Intel M.2 modules? Are all of the firmware on the server's hardware up to date?
The BOSS card was factory installed and has not moved. It is in PCIe slot 2. I believe I re-seated the card once at the request of a Dell tech. The BOSS part number is 403-BBPT. M.2 model # is SSDSCKJB240G7R on both modules. I last did complete firmware updates a year or 2 ago before I gave up trying to fix this. In checking, the BOSS firmware is one rev back: 2.5.13.3020
Could you please also share, what OS and iDRAC version are installed? I will check release notes, maybe I could find some known and fixed performance issues.
Select one from each year to step up until at current version. Keep DRAC and BIOS even in steps. Select a BIOS and iDRAC from the year and apply, then do next year step.
I don't see the "Other Available Versions" option at the bottom of these pages. As I understand, best practice would be stepped update(one per year) of both the bios and iDRAC. Leaving other firmware and drivers alone until Bios and iDRAC are current. Then run System Update?
I think you're not seeing the older version drop down is because there is a section that you need to select the model of the server.
Alternative, go to our support site: https://dell.to/3Bje4Mk and either enter the server service tag or select the product model R740. Then search for iDRAC or BIOS in the product category downloads. You should be able to see the other version of the iDRAC and BIOS respectively.
Updated Bios and iDRAC to current levels in stages as suggested. Then ran the latest Dell System Update to bring the other firmware/driver versions to current.
Bios: 2.13.3
iDRAC: 5.10.00.00
BOSS-S1 firmware: 2.5.13.3024
Performance on the BOSS mirrored volume is the same as before or slightly worse. Am currently configuring another server order. Do I invest in an R750 with BOSS-S2 or stick with PERC based storage for the boot OS? Any other ideas on the BOSS-S1?
I'm unsure if the BOSS-S1's performance is standard, degraded or fault. If the server is under warranty, I would suggest to contact support to check if there is any issues with the BOSS-S1's performance.
My R740 is now 6 months out of waranty. I suppose I could pay for a ticket, but not sure if it's worth it. When I opened a ticket under warranty, the solution was do updates on the server. 2 years later that still is not helpful. This may just be normal performance for this card. Your thoughts?
Tipically, is difficult to get involved in performance issues when the problem is not in compatibility or outdated firmware. Because it's necessary to check configuration.
If you want you can wait a little to hear out from other customers to see if they have this same issue.
I'm seeing the same on a new T550 server, shipped this week, with a BOSS-S2 controller card with M2 drives. It's configured as RAID1, Server 2022 came pre-installed, and uses 2 of these.
MICRON
MTFDDAV240TDU
When I benchmark the performance of the disks before going in to production, I get a measly 750MB/s read and 230MB/s write.
On the spinning disks (some RAID5, some RAID1) we see 7000MB/s. Nearly 10 times as fast
Have opened a case with Dell as surely this can't be correct performance.
Dell-Martin S
Moderator
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3.6K Posts
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June 5th, 2024 13:51
Hi,
The performance you're seeing on the BOSS-S2 controller with M.2 NVMe drives (750MB/s read and 230MB/s write) is significantly lower than expected for NVMe SSDs. This could be due to several reasons:
## Potential Causes
1. **RAID Configuration**: The BOSS-S2 controller is designed for boot drives, not high-performance storage. Configuring the M.2 drives in RAID1 can limit the performance compared to running them individually.[1]
2. **Drive Specifications**: The Micron MTFDDAV240TDU is an entry-level NVMe SSD with lower performance compared to higher-end drives. Its specifications list up to 1600MB/s sequential read and 600MB/s sequential write speeds, which are closer to what you're seeing.[5]
3. **Driver/Firmware Issues**: Outdated drivers or firmware on the BOSS-S2 controller or the M.2 drives could be limiting performance. Check for updates from Dell and Micron.
4. **System Configuration**: Factors like PCIe lane configuration, CPU utilization, and other system settings can impact storage performance.
## Comparison with Spinning Disks
The significantly higher performance you're seeing on the spinning disk RAID arrays (7000MB/s) is expected, as they are designed for high-performance storage workloads, unlike the BOSS-S2 which is primarily for booting.[1][5] Spinning disks in RAID5/RAID1 can achieve very high throughput, especially for sequential workloads.
In summary, the lower M.2 performance could be due to the BOSS-S2 controller limitations, entry-level drive specifications, or system configuration issues. Updating drivers/firmware and considering higher-end NVMe drives or a dedicated storage controller may improve performance.[1][5]
Citations:
[1] https://dell.to/3x3GoVe
[2] https://dell.to/4bLLVis
[3] https://dell.to/458c8Fr
[4] https://dell.to/4bK183D
[5] https://dell.to/3RadXvN
DELL-Joey C
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February 7th, 2022 20:00
Hi @carll7737,
It could be an incompatibility issue. I'm pretty sure the BOSS-S1 card is from Dell? Do you have the DPN# for us to check? What slot in the server did you install the BOSS-S1 card on? Do you have the model no# of the Intel M.2 modules? Are all of the firmware on the server's hardware up to date?
carll7737
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8 Posts
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February 7th, 2022 21:00
The BOSS card was factory installed and has not moved. It is in PCIe slot 2. I believe I re-seated the card once at the request of a Dell tech. The BOSS part number is 403-BBPT. M.2 model # is SSDSCKJB240G7R on both modules. I last did complete firmware updates a year or 2 ago before I gave up trying to fix this. In checking, the BOSS firmware is one rev back: 2.5.13.3020
Dell- Maria J
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278 Posts
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February 8th, 2022 04:00
Hello carll7737,
I've checked compatibility matrix, SSDRs #SSDSCKJB240G7R (PN 919J9, SSDR,240G) are compatible with server and BOSS according user's guide:
https://dell.to/3GHh4Du
Latest update for SSDR is DL43:
https://dell.to/3rzdUx1
Could you please also share, what OS and iDRAC version are installed? I will check release notes, maybe I could find some known and fixed performance issues.
Thank you.
carll7737
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8 Posts
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February 8th, 2022 11:00
server 2016 Standard
iDRAC 9 3.34.34.34 (Build 17)
DELL-Charles R
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February 8th, 2022 12:00
Hello carll7737,
Thank you for the information. I looked over the firmware.
The DRAC version you have is from 2019 - v.3.34.34.34
Current iDRAC 5.10.00.00 (14 revisions behind I recommend updating in steps)
https://dell.to/363xwRT
I don't see what BIOS version you have but current BIOS is 2.13.3 (update in steps if far behind like the DRAC)
https://dell.to/3LjNMOE
BOSS-S1 Adapter firmware 2.5.13.3024, A07 (2 revisions behind)
https://dell.to/3LcylaS
I would recommend to step up the firmware.
To step up iDRAC and BIOS:
look at the bottom of the page linked for
>Other Available Versions
Select one from each year to step up until at current version. Keep DRAC and BIOS even in steps. Select a BIOS and iDRAC from the year and apply, then do next year step.
carll7737
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February 11th, 2022 15:00
I don't see the "Other Available Versions" option at the bottom of these pages. As I understand, best practice would be stepped update(one per year) of both the bios and iDRAC. Leaving other firmware and drivers alone until Bios and iDRAC are current. Then run System Update?
DELL-Young E
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5.4K Posts
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February 13th, 2022 16:00
Hi, yes that would suffice.
carll7737
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February 13th, 2022 17:00
Where do i get older versions of Bios and iDRAC?
DELL-Joey C
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4.1K Posts
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February 13th, 2022 23:00
Hi @carll7737,
I think you're not seeing the older version drop down is because there is a section that you need to select the model of the server.
Alternative, go to our support site: https://dell.to/3Bje4Mk and either enter the server service tag or select the product model R740. Then search for iDRAC or BIOS in the product category downloads. You should be able to see the other version of the iDRAC and BIOS respectively.
carll7737
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February 20th, 2022 20:00
Updated Bios and iDRAC to current levels in stages as suggested. Then ran the latest Dell System Update to bring the other firmware/driver versions to current.
Bios: 2.13.3
iDRAC: 5.10.00.00
BOSS-S1 firmware: 2.5.13.3024
Performance on the BOSS mirrored volume is the same as before or slightly worse. Am currently configuring another server order. Do I invest in an R750 with BOSS-S2 or stick with PERC based storage for the boot OS? Any other ideas on the BOSS-S1?
DELL-Joey C
Moderator
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4.1K Posts
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February 20th, 2022 22:00
Hi @carll7737,
I'm unsure if the BOSS-S1's performance is standard, degraded or fault. If the server is under warranty, I would suggest to contact support to check if there is any issues with the BOSS-S1's performance.
carll7737
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February 21st, 2022 06:00
My R740 is now 6 months out of waranty. I suppose I could pay for a ticket, but not sure if it's worth it. When I opened a ticket under warranty, the solution was do updates on the server. 2 years later that still is not helpful. This may just be normal performance for this card. Your thoughts?
DiegoLopez
4 Operator
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2.7K Posts
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February 21st, 2022 07:00
Hello @carll7737,
Tipically, is difficult to get involved in performance issues when the problem is not in compatibility or outdated firmware. Because it's necessary to check configuration.
If you want you can wait a little to hear out from other customers to see if they have this same issue.
Regards.
mikeycrawford-yahoo.com
1 Rookie
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6 Posts
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June 30th, 2023 06:00
I'm seeing the same on a new T550 server, shipped this week, with a BOSS-S2 controller card with M2 drives. It's configured as RAID1, Server 2022 came pre-installed, and uses 2 of these.
MTFDDAV240TDU
When I benchmark the performance of the disks before going in to production, I get a measly 750MB/s read and 230MB/s write.
On the spinning disks (some RAID5, some RAID1) we see 7000MB/s. Nearly 10 times as fast
Have opened a case with Dell as surely this can't be correct performance.