Lenovo ThinkStation P510 Quick guide

ThinkStation P500/P510, P700/P710,

and P900/P910 RAID Hardware

Configuration

Version 1. 1

1. Introduction

The introduction of the new ThinkStation P500/P510, P700/P710 and P900/P910 platforms brings with it

several new storage options that are designed to increase the storage capacity and performance of the

system. As with previous ThinkStation platforms, P500/P510/700/P9710/P900/P910 will continue to

support the standard SATA and SAS storage technologies to provide users with a wide variety of data

storage solutions. This document will highlight the available SATA, SAS, and RAID storage solutions

offered on this latest generation of ThinkStations as well as provide valuable information about how

users can configure these solutions to provide the best performance possible.

2. Hard Drive Controllers used on ThinkStation P500/P510,

P700/P710, P900/P910

ThinkStation P500/P510, P700/P710 and P900/P910, have several hard drive controller options that can

be used to support a wide variety of drive configurations. Selecting the correct controller will directly

depend on the number and type of drives a user wants to support in their specific configuration. RAID

requirements also play a big part in determining which controller to choose when configuring your

ThinkStation.

Onboard Intel SATA Controller

The “default” controller on P500/P510, P700/P710, and P900/P910 is the onboard Intel SATA controller,

sometimes called S-SATA. This controller is capable of supporting up to four SATA HDDs/SSDs at Gen3

(6Gb/s) max theoretical bandwidth. It’s important to note that only SATA devices are supported with

the onboard Intel controller. RAID modes 0/1/5/10 are supported as well. Refer to “P500-P510-P700-

P710-P900-P910 How to Create and Configure RAID Arrays” for more info about how to configure RAID

arrays.

Unlike previous ThinkStation systems that used onboard Intel SATA controllers, all three platforms have

support for the same number of drives with this controller. Connection methods do vary by platform.

P900/P910 SATA Support via Intel Onboard S-SATA Controller

Maximum Number of Drives

4 (2 drives per BCA)

Connection Method

Tool-less via BCA

Drive Locations

Drives install into FLEX Bays via FLEX Tray.

One drive per FLEX bay.

Drives install in upper () position labelled P1 & P2.

Hardware Required

BCA-S* or BCA-P

Drives Types Supported

(6Gb/s)

3.5” SATA HDD (7200rpm)

3.5” SSHD (Hybrid)

2.5” SATA SSD

RAID Level Support

RAID 0

RAID 1

RAID 5

RAID 10

Drive Speed

Maximum speed is 6Gb/s.

*BCA-S comes standard in P900/P910.

P500/P510/P700/P710 SATA Support via Intel Onboard S-SATA Controller using Manual HDD Connect

Maximum Number of Drives

Connection Method

Manual plug for data and power using standard cabling methods

Drive Locations

Drives install into FLEX Bays via FLEX Tray.

One drive per FLEX bay.

Hardware Required

SATA HDD cable(s), HDD Power cable

Drives Types Supported

(6Gb/s)

3.5” SATA HDD (7200rpm)

3.5” SSHD (Hybrid)

2.5” SATA SSD

RAID Level Support

RAID 0

RAID 1

RAID 5

RAID 10

Drive Speed

Maximum speed is 6Gb/s.

P500/P510/P700/P710 SATA Support via Intel Onboard S-SATA Controller using Blind Connect

Assembly (BCA)

Maximum Number of Drives

4 (2 drives per BCA)

Connection Method

Blind Connect Assembly (BCA)

Drive Locations

Drives install into FLEX Bays via FLEX Tray.

One drive per FLEX bay.

Drives install in upper () position labelled P1 & P2.

Hardware Required

Up to two BCA-S or BCA-P.

Drives Types Supported

(6Gb/s)

3.5” SATA HDD (7200rpm)

3.5” SSHD (Hybrid)

2.5” SATA SSD

RAID Level Support

RAID 0

RAID 1

RAID 5

RAID 10

Drive Speed

Maximum speed is 6Gb/s

Optional LSI SATA/SAS RAID controllers

ThinkStation P500/P510, P700/P710, and P900/P910 platforms utilize discrete controllers in order to

add support for SAS drives. These controllers offer support for both SATA and SAS drives, support more

drives than the standard onboard controller and in some cases offer increased performance and

reliability capabilities.

LSI SATA/SAS RAID FLEX Adapter

Specialized FLEX adapter that only installs to Lenovo FLEX Connectors

Capable of supporting up to 8 SATA or SAS drives using Blind Connect Assemblies

Uses LSI SAS3008 IOC controller

Support for RAID 0/1/5/10 for both SATA and SAS formats

Support for up to 12Gb/s

Does not occupy a traditional PCIe slot, allowing for additional system expansion

Utilizes mini-SAS HD connectors to connect the adapter to BCA

For the P500/P510 and P700/P710, the FLEX Adapter may utilize a manual connect option by

using the LSI to HDD Manual Tray Cable to avoid using Blind Connect Assemblies. If the LSI to

HDD Manual Tray Cable is used, then the FLEX Adapter can only support up to 4 SATA, SAS or

SATA and SAS drives.

LSI 9364-8i PCIe SATA/SAS ROC Adapter

Standard PCIe x8 card

Capable of supporting up to 8 SATA or SAS drives using Blind Connect Assemblies

Uses LSI SAS3108 ROC controller

Support for RAID 0/1/5/10 for both SATA and SAS formats

Support for up to 12Gb/s

Utilizes mini-SAS HD connectors to connect the adapter to BCA

Increased performance as all RAID workload is handled on card, instead of being offloaded to

system (CPU)

Includes support for optional SuperCap for added reliability in case of power outages.

For the P500/P510 and P700/P710, the FLEX Adapter may utilize a manual connect option by

using the LSI to HDD Manual Tray Cable to avoid using Blind Connect Assemblies. If the LSI to

HDD Manual Tray Cable is used, then the FLEX Adapter can only support up to 4 SATA, SAS, or

SATA and SAS drives.

P500/P510/P700/P710/P900/P910 SATA and SAS Support via LSI Controllers Using Blind Connect

Assembly

Maximum Number of Drives

8 (4 drives per BCA)

Connection Method

BCA

Drive Locations

Drives install into FLEX Bays via FLEX Tray.

Up to two drives per FLEX Tray*

Hardware Required

LSI SATA/SAS RAID FLEX Adapter or LSI 9364-8i ROC

Up to two BCA-S or BCA-P

Drives Types Supported

3.5” SATA HDD (7200rpm)

3.5” SSHD (Hybrid)

2.5” SATA SSD

2.5” SAS HDD (15000rpm, 12Gb/s)

2.5” SAS SSD (12Gb/s)

RAID Level Support

RAID 0

RAID 1

RAID 5

RAID 10

Drive Speed

Maximum speed is 12Gb/s

*Some physical limitations apply

P500/P510/P700/P710 SATA and SAS Support via LSI Controllers using Manual HDD Connect

Maximum Number of Drives

Connection Method

LSI to HDD Manual Connect Cable

Drive Locations

Drives install into FLEX Bays via FLEX Tray.

One drive per FLEX tray.

Hardware Required

LSI SATA/SAS RAID FLEX Adapter or LSI 9364-8i ROC

LSI to HDD Manual Connect Cable*

Drives Types Supported

(6Gb/s)

3.5” SATA HDD (7200rpm)

3.5” SSHD (Hybrid, 7200rpm)

2.5” SATA SSD

2.5” SAS HDD (15000rpm, 12Gb/s)

2.5” SAS SSD (12Gb/s)

RAID Level Support

RAID 0

RAID 1

RAID 5

RAID 10

Drive Speed

Maximum speed is 12Gb/s.

*The LSI to HDD Manual Tray Cable is only supported on P500/P510 and P700/P710

3. How to Utilize the Onboard Intel S-SATA Controller

P900/P910

In the P900 system, drives are always connected through the use of Blind Connect Assemblies (BCA).

When using the onboard Intel S-SATA controller, up to two drives can be connected per BCA. This gives

P900 support for up to 4 drives with the onboard Intel S-SATA controller via two BCA. When the BCA is

connected to the controller, LEDs will illuminate on the BCA to show which port(s) are active, and the

drive type supported by that port (see ‘Technical Glossary’ for diagram).

1. Ensure that the S/X cable of the BCA is connected to the mini-SAS HD connector on the

motherboard. For the lower BCA (bays 1 and 2), the S/X cable of the BCA attaches to the SATA

1-2 port on the motherboard. For the upper BCA (bays 3 and 4), the S/X cable of the BCA

attaches to the SATA 3-4 port on the motherboard.

2. With AC power connected and the system off, the BCA will illuminate to show which ports are

active and the drive types supported by each port.

3. Install the SATA drive into the FLEX Tray in a manner such that the drive connectors for power

and data align correctly with the port on the BCA. Note that the FLEX Tray can be rotated 180

degrees to allow for the correct connection.

4. Align the FLEX Tray with the SATA drive and insert it into the bay making sure that the drive is

connecting to an active port. Insert the FLEX Tray fully, and push the pull-bar feature so that it is

flush with the bay.

***Active ports are indicated by LED Lights shown above in yellow.

P500/P510/P700/P710 via Manual HDD Connect Option

For P500/P510 and P700/P710, SATA drives are connected to the onboard Intel S-SATA controller via a

manual plug method. This consists of manually cabling both power and data to each drive individually.

Total drive support is the same as P900/P910, with the onboard Intel S-SATA controller supporting up to

4 drives.

1. Install the SATA drive into the FLEX Tray. Note that FLEX Trays can be rotated 180 degrees as

needed for ease of connection.

2. Insert the FLEX Tray with drive into the bay.

3. Connect SATA power to the drive using one of the SATA power connectors on the included

cable. The other end of the SATA power cable should already be connected to the

motherboard.

4. Connect the SATA data cable to the drive.

5. Connect the SATA data cable to one of the onboard SATA ports (refer to the system label on the

system cover for the SATA port location).

***One data cable per HDD/SSD. One power cable connects to four HDD/SSD.

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