IT-mode HBAs for ZFS, TrueNAS & Unraid
16 SAS host bus adapters · chipset, ports & PCIe · IT-mode / crossflash status · recommended firmware.
Why IT mode?
IT mode (Initiator-Target) exposes each disk directly to the OS, with no RAID layer in the way - exactly what ZFS, TrueNAS and Unraid want so they can see SMART data and manage the array themselves. Many cards ship in IR/RAID mode and must be crossflashed to IT firmware first. The reference below flags which cards ship IT-ready and which need a flash.
| Card | Chipset | Ports | PCIe | IT mode | Firmware | ZFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSI 9305-24i | SAS3224 | 24 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Ships IT | P16 16.00.12.00 | ✓ |
| LSI 9305-16i | SAS3216 | 16 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Ships IT | P16 16.00.12.00 | ✓ |
| LSI 9300-16i | SAS3008 x2 | 16 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Ships IT | P16 16.00.12.00 (flash BOTH chips) | ✓ |
| Dell HBA330 | SAS3008 | 8 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Ships IT | Dell IT firmware (ships flashed) | ✓ |
| Dell PERC H330 | SAS3008 | 8 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Crossflash → HBA330 / 9300-8i IT | P16 16.00.12.00 | ✓ |
| Lenovo N2215 | SAS3008 | 8 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Crossflash → 9300-8i IT | P16 16.00.12.00 | ✓ |
| LSI 9300-8i | SAS3008 | 8 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Ships IT | P16 16.00.12.00 (9300_8i.bin) | ✓ |
| HP H220 | SAS2308 | 8 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Crossflash → 9207-8i IT | P20 20.00.07.00 (9207-8i.bin) | ✓ |
| LSI 9207-8i | SAS2308 | 8 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Ships IT | P20 20.00.07.00 (9207-8i.bin) | ✓ |
| LSI 9217-8i | SAS2308 | 8 | PCIe 3.0 x8 | Crossflash → 9207-8i IT | P20 20.00.07.00 (9207-8i.bin) | ✓ |
| LSI 9201-16i | SAS2008 x2 | 16 | PCIe 2.0 x8 | Ships IT | P20 20.00.07.00 (both chips) | ✓ |
| Dell PERC H200 | SAS2008 | 8 | PCIe 2.0 x8 | Crossflash → 9211-8i IT | P20 20.00.07.00 (2118it.bin) | ✓ |
| Dell PERC H310 | SAS2008 | 8 | PCIe 2.0 x8 | Crossflash → 9211-8i IT | P20 20.00.07.00 (2118it.bin) | ✓ |
| IBM ServeRAID M1015 | SAS2008 | 8 | PCIe 2.0 x8 | Crossflash → 9211-8i IT | P20 20.00.07.00 (2118it.bin) | ✓ |
| LSI 9211-8i | SAS2008 | 8 | PCIe 2.0 x8 | Ships IT | P20 20.00.07.00 (2118it.bin) | ✓ |
| LSI 9211-4i | SAS2008 | 4 | PCIe 2.0 x8 | Ships IT | P20 20.00.07.00 (2118it.bin) | ✓ |
Ports = internal (＋ external where present). "Crossflash" cards need IT firmware before ZFS/TrueNAS will see disks directly.