Raid 0 Trim support, intel RST 11.2

[Ouzo]

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthre...=1#post8461877

Seems like finally we got Trim support in Raid 0.

Not sure how to test it though Windows can always tell me Trim is enabled, but how do I know for sure, the driver is passing trim to SSDs?

Edited: Title 11.2 -> 11.5

[Arctucas]

I have been running RST 11.5 for a while now.

When I run the installer for this RST (11.2), it says my currently installed version is newer.

Anyway, from what I have been able to ascertain, Windows 7 will not pass the TRIM command to individual drives in a RAID 0 array, despite what the help file says. Windows 8, on the other hand, allegedly will allow the TRIM command to to be sent to individual drives in a RAID 0 array.

However, if someone has evidence to the contrary on either of the above, I would be interested in seeing it.

[pimp_gimp]

Originally Posted by Ouzo

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthre...=1#post8461877

Seems like finally we got Trim support in Raid 0.

Not sure how to test it though Windows can always tell me Trim is enabled, but how do I know for sure, the driver is passing trim to SSDs?

Open a command prompt with administrative privileges (right-click run as administrator) and type:

fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

If the result is, 0 then TRIM is enabled. Also Crystal DiskInfo can tell you.

[Arctucas]

Originally Posted by pimp_gimp

Open a command prompt with administrative privileges (right-click run as administrator) and type:

fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

If the result is, 0 then TRIM is enabled. Also Crystal DiskInfo can tell you.

I believe the question was how does one determine if the TRIM command is actually being passed to the individual drives?

[pimp_gimp]

Originally Posted by Arctucas

I believe the question was how does one determine if the TRIM command is actually being passed to the individual drives?

CrystalDiskInfo can tell you that, as it shows individual drives (even in RAID) and shows what can commands are enabled. I forgot to add that you'll also possibly need to update your motherboard's BIOS to the latest as it should contain the newest Intel Orom 11.2.1527.

[Arctucas]

Originally Posted by pimp_gimp

CrystalDiskInfo can tell you that, as it shows individual drives (even in RAID) and shows what can commands are enabled. I forgot to add that you'll also possibly need to update your motherboard's BIOS to the latest as it should contain the newest Intel Orom 11.2.1527.

What am I looking for here?

And I am using OROM 11.5.1111.

[pimp_gimp]

Originally Posted by Arctucas

What am I looking for here?

And I am using OROM 11.5.1111.

Where it says features it should show what's enabled, in your screenshot it shows that SMART, 48bit LBA, NCQ, and TRIM are enabled, but not APM, or AAM.

[Arctucas]

Originally Posted by pimp_gimp

Where it says features it should show what's enabled, in your screenshot it shows that SMART, 48bit LBA, NCQ, and TRIM are enabled, but not APM, or AAM.

OK, I understand that TRIM is enabled, but how does that verify that the TRIM command is actually being passed to each individual drive?

As I stated previously, my understanding, from what I have read, is that Windows 7 does not (and cannot due to limitations of the OS) pass the TRIM command to individual drives that are members of an array.

Also, I am not sure if Advanced Power Management is needed, and I would guess that Advanced Acoustical Management does not apply to SSD?

[pimp_gimp]

Originally Posted by Arctucas

OK, I understand that TRIM is enabled, but how does that verify that the TRIM command is actually being passed to each individual drive?

According to a manufacturer (Corsair), the only way to truly tell is by running a benchmark with CrystalDiskMark or ATTO.

[Arctucas]

Originally Posted by pimp_gimp

According to a manufacturer (Corsair), the only way to truly tell is by running a benchmark with CrystalDiskMark or ATTO.

I had heard similarly, but I find that too subjective to be a definitive determinate.

And, there is the issue of Windows 7 not being able to support TRIM for RAID 0 anyway...

[pimp_gimp]

Originally Posted by Arctucas

I had heard similarly, but I find that too subjective to be a definitive determinate.

And, there is the issue of Windows 7 not being able to support TRIM for RAID 0 anyway...

Passing TRIM commands in raid 0 on Windows 7 is currently done through the newest RST driver, which is 11.2.

[chispy]

I have been doing a lot of research on this matter and as of today no one can assure me TRIM its working under w7 while using Raid0 , and i have tested many OROMS 11.2-11.5 with moded Bios as well as alpha/Beta 11.5 RST Drivers on the wild ,also the latest ones 11.2 whql, and its a no go yet. Until someone really show me some real proff with real data back up by Intel white papers and a statement release it wont happen , sadly. Im so waiting and want this to happen too , but i guess time will tell.

[Arctucas]

Originally Posted by chispy

I have been doing a lot of research on this matter and as of today no one can assure me TRIM its working under w7 while using Raid0 , and i have tested many OROMS 11.2-11.5 with moded Bios as well as alpha/Beta 11.5 RST Drivers on the wild ,also the latest ones 11.2 whql, and its a no go yet. Until someone really show me some real proff with real data back up by Intel white papers and a statement release it wont happen , sadly. Im so waiting and want this to happen too , but i guess time will tell.

That is basically my experience.

Until I see definitive proof that it is working, I must believe it is not.

[chinobino]

+1, Need more proof.

There's some more fairly recent info here.

[Brendruis]

Basically, it will pass the command along to INDIVIDUAL drives when the controller is set to RAID MODE. This does not mean you get TRIM on your RAID ARRAY, just on individual drives that are connected to the controller in RAID mode.

With the Intel Controller to RAID mode, if I have 4 HDDs with HDD 1 and 2 as members of an array, then only HDD 3 and 4 would still be passed the TRIM command, whereas before it would only be passed in AHCI mode.

Hope that makes sense.

[Ouzo]

Originally Posted by Arctucas

That is basically my experience.

Until I see definitive proof that it is working, I must believe it is not.

This.

All above, is just Windows and other software informing me, that it is enabled and supported, I believe, by HD & Windows.

But to be truly sure, that those TRIM commands are actually executed by HD in RAID 0 ARRAY, how the hell can one prove that

[Ouzo]

Originally Posted by Brendruis

Basically, it will pass the command along to INDIVIDUAL drives when the controller is set to RAID MODE. This does not mean you get TRIM on your RAID ARRAY, just on individual drives that are connected to the controller in RAID mode.

With the Intel Controller to RAID mode, if I have 4 HDDs with HDD 1 and 2 as members of an array, then only HDD 3 and 4 would still be passed the TRIM command, whereas before it would only be passed in AHCI mode.

Hope that makes sense.

This before the 11.2 / 11.5 or with them also?

So what you are saying, and if it applies to 11.2/11.5 would mean there is NO TRIM support on RAID 0 ARRAY HDDs?

[Brendruis]

Originally Posted by Ouzo

This before the 11.2 / 11.5 or with them also?

So what you are saying, and if it applies to 11.2/11.5 would mean there is NO TRIM support on RAID 0 ARRAY HDDs?

Yes, it is not for RAID ARRAYS it is for SINGLE DRIVES TRIM passthrough when attached to the controller in RAID mode. The documentation is confusing but if you read it carefully that is essentially what it is saying.

[Arctucas]

Originally Posted by Brendruis

Yes, it is not for RAID ARRAYS it is for SINGLE DRIVES TRIM passthrough when attached to the controller in RAID mode. The documentation is confusing but if you read it carefully that is essentially what it is saying.

• Trim (Microsoft Windows 7* only)
This feature provides support for all pass-through solid-state drives (SSDs) in your storage system that meets the ATA-8 protocol requirements. Also, support is provided for SSDs that are part of a RAID 0 array. This feature optimizes write operations, helps reduce device wear, and maintains unused storage area on devices as large as possible.

^This documentation? (Copied/pasted from the IRST 11.2.0.1006 Help)^

[Brendruis]

If you are talking about the official release (11.2) and not alpha or whatever then yes TRIM is only passed to non-member drives

Supposedly because of Windows 7 recognizing RAID arrays as SCSI it does not pass the TRIM command.

A similar command exists for SCSI called UNMAP which does exactly as the name suggests... it unmaps logical blocks.

[slickric21]

Shame the documentation on this matter is unclear then.

It does state in the release notes as pointed out by others TRIM is supported in RAID 0

[spine]

Originally Posted by Arctucas

• Trim (Microsoft Windows 7* only)
This feature provides support for all pass-through solid-state drives (SSDs) in your storage system that meets the ATA-8 protocol requirements. Also, support is provided for SSDs that are part of a RAID 0 array. This feature optimizes write operations, helps reduce device wear, and maintains unused storage area on devices as large as possible.

^This documentation? (Copied/pasted from the IRST 11.2.0.1006 Help)^

If that statement from Intel is 100% accurate, then it is explicitly saying that TRIM commands are being sent to individual drives that are in a RAID-0 array. The wording could not be clearer.

It is not saying that it passes TRIM to the array, but to the individual drives themselves.


I guess us RAID-0 SSD nuts have been waiting so long for this that we expected more of a fanfair, but, TRIM in RAID-0 is apparently here...

[chispy]

Finally some hard evidence from a guy who does Bios Mod himself , Fernando has finally proven that YES Trim its working only in Windows 8 using Bios OROM v11.5.0.1414 for Intel Chipset Raid and Intel RST(e) drivers v11.5.0.1184. All information and how to flash your own Bios with new updated 11.5 Bios OROM For Intel Chipset raid Controller and latest 11.5 drivers all here.

ROM: Intel RAID ROM v11.5.0.1414 may open TRIM for RAID
---------------------------------------------------------

http://www.station-drivers.com/forum...hp?f=32&t=3910

Fernando tutorial about how to do it:

BIOS-Modding: How to update PCI ROM modules of an AMI/Phoenix/Award BIOS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.win-lite.de/wbb/board208-...ix-award-bios/

All credit goes to Fernando for all the hard work and testing he has done. Thank you fernando.

[Arctucas]

Originally Posted by chispy

Finally some hard evidence from a guy who does Bios Mod himself , Fernando has finally proven that YES Trim its working only in Windows 8 using Bios OROM v11.5.0.1414 for Intel Chipset Raid and Intel RST(e) drivers v11.5.0.1184. All information and how to flash your own Bios with new updated 11.5 Bios OROM For Intel Chipset raid Controller and latest 11.5 drivers all here.

ROM: Intel RAID ROM v11.5.0.1414 may open TRIM for RAID
---------------------------------------------------------

http://www.station-drivers.com/forum...hp?f=32&t=3910

Fernando tutorial about how to do it:

BIOS-Modding: How to update PCI ROM modules of an AMI/Phoenix/Award BIOS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.win-lite.de/wbb/board208-...ix-award-bios/

All credit goes to Fernando for all the hard work and testing he has done. Thank you fernando.

Yes, I saw that yesterday, but Windows 7 is the issue here, is it not?

[chispy]

Originally Posted by Arctucas

Yes, I saw that yesterday, but Windows 7 is the issue here, is it not?

Yes my friend , i won't change w7 for w8 only for Trim support. Let's keep on researching maybe theres a way , last thing we loose its hope !