Dell YK838 SAS 6i/R PCIe 3Gbps SAS HBA w/ LSI SAS1068E P21 IT Mode firmware for ZFS TrueNAS unRAID

Listed for sale are what were originally Dell SAS6i/R integrated RAID SAS controller cards that I modified for use with ZFS. They have been cross-flashed to Avago / LSI 1068E IT (Initiator Target) firmware version P21 (specifically 01.33.00.00). I also flashed the LSI/Avago MPTSAS BIOS ROM version 06.36.00.00. This card has the special PCIe ID that allows it to work in the Dell PowerEdge 9th gen server's integrated slots, like the 2950 and 2900.

The purpose for this card is to offer an affordable IT mode option for PowerEdge 2900 or 2950 servers. If you try to convert these 2900/2950 servers to IT mode using a SAS-2 HBA, it requires 2 very expensive special SAS cables that makes the upgrade cost prohibitive. So, instead, I figure a SAS-1 HBA might work just as well as long as you're using HDDs and understand that there's a drive size limit of 2TB for SATA drives, and no size limit for SAS HDDs. I recommend using SAS HDDs with this controller; I've tested it with HGST 8TB SAS HDDs!

  1. LSI SAS1068E IT mode firmware version P21 (01.33.00.00)
  2. MPTSAS2 BIOS ROM flashed version 06.36.00.00
  3. Original SAS address preserved
  4. Works in Dell PowerEdge 2900, 2950 server's integrated slot
  5. Limited to 2TB for SATA drives only. No size limit for SAS drives.

These are based on the LSI SAS1068E SAS-1 controller chipset and support PCI-E 1.0 specifications with x8 lanes. The controller has 8 SAS lanes.

These cards are fully tested in my Supermicro server running ZFS on Linux (ZoL), but this setup is also ideal for other ZFS setups, TrueNAS, unRAID, Proxmox VE, etc. I have fully tested them using all 8 SAS lanes.

Not exactly the HBA / IT mode adapter you were looking for? Check out the HBA section at my ebay store here.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Why buy from the Art of Server?
  • I can provide technical support if you have problems
  • I'm aware of counterfeit products on the market, and I make every effort to ensure that what I sell are not counterfeit.
  • I ship fast, usually same or next business day!
  • I have a YouTube channel with many helpful videos. Look for "Art of Server" on YouTube. (sorry, I can't link per eBay policy)
  • I fully test the HBAs I sell. See my testing process on YouTube.
  • I clean the server components I sell. You will not receive something covered in dust, or have unwanted stickers/labels, etc. 
  • I ship electronic parts in proper anti-static bags (not the pink stuff) with bubble wrap or foam protection where needed.
  • I am a server enthusiast and IT professional that has worked with many brands of servers and have also built custom servers, not just someone selling computer parts. I love what I do! :-)
  • I've used ZFS for many years. I'm familiar with ZFS on Linux, FreeNAS, and many of the technologies commonly used by other enthusiasts.
  • I love cats. How can you deny my cute, cuddly charm?
Who is the Art of Server?
I'm a cat lover and a server enthusiast. I've operated my own rack of servers at home for almost 20 years. I've helped many friends and strangers with their servers. So, one day, I thought why not offer pre-flashed IT mode / HBA SAS controllers on eBay to help others with their server build? Since then, I've also added other "interesting" items to my eBay store that I think other server/computer enthusiasts would like. Oh, and I love cats. :-)