DC-P3520 Inconsistent version information

[RAdV]

We have several DC P3520 cards in our VMware virtualization environment with vSAN.
A few days ago we experienced a PSOD with the message telling us there was a stuck IO on an Intel SSDPEDMX020T7. These NVMe disks are part of a hybrid environment and used as flash disks in a diskgroup.

After creating a support request with VMware, we we're told these disk are not supported in a hybrid configuration.

According to the VMware Compatibility Guide, using keyword: SSDPEDMX020T7, we found that they are compatible in a vSAN Hybrid Caching Tier configuration. 

Even the Intel SSD Datacenter tool tells us: INTEL SSDPEDMX020T7.

But VMware tells us, when they use the VendorID (8086), DeviceID (0953), Sub-VendorID (8086) en SSID (3705) , it is not supported.
And when we put these ID's in the VMware Compatibility Guide, we find a totally different device: SSDPE2MX020T4 (2000 GB, 2.5-inch) , which, according to the information, is not supported. It's not even correct on the form factor : we have a HHHL AIC, not 2.5-inch.

This leaves us with the question: what's the truth?

Do we have these: Intel® SSD DC P3520 Series SSDPEDMX020T7 (2.0 TB, HHHL AIC) which we specifically looked for, even the labels and isdct tell us,
or do we have these: Intel SSD DC P3500 Series SSDPE2MX020T4 (2000 GB, 2.5-inch), what the ID's give us?

If anybody could help us out... it makes a difference in having a supported environment or not.

[JosafathB_Intel]

Hello RAdV,

Thank you for contacting Intel® Memory and Storage support.

As we understand, you need assistance with your Intel® SSD DC P3520 Series. If we infer correctly, we will appreciate it if you can review the following information:

1- We can not comment regarding compatibility and configuration related to VMware* since they have a specific list of models and firmware compatible with their OS.

2- In your case, we advise you to contact VMware.

3- We can help you confirm the SSD model via the SSD label or software. We will appreciate it if you can provide us with the following information:

- A picture of the SSD label.

- Please extract the following logs by using the Intel® Memory and Storage Tool:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29917/Intel-Memory-and-Storage-Tool-CLI-Command-Line-Inter...

A. SMART attributes: intelmas show -smart -intelssd “SSD_index”.

B. The SSD information using show -all command from Intel MAS CLI: intelmas show -all -intelssd “SSD_index”

*Replace the “SSD_index” with the actual index number of your SSD.

4- We would like to know how many Intel® SSD DC P3520 Series you have and how many of those are presenting this behavior.

We will be looking forward to your reply.

We are going to follow up with you again next Friday, the 20th of November 2020, if we do not receive an answer from you. Please let us know if you would like to schedule a different date for the follow-up.

Best regards,

Josh B.
Intel® Customer Support Technician

[RAdV]

Hello Josh,

Thanks for replying.

To go by the points you stated:

1 - I was told by VMware, the list is also maintained by hardware vendors in close collaboration with VMware.

2- And VMware told me to contact the hardware vendor.

3 - I've attached a picture of the SSD label. I've also tried to install the MAS CLI, but ran into an error:

[DependencyError]
VIB INT_bootbank_intel_memory_and_storage_tool_1.3.92-400 requires esx-version <= 7.0.0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.

4 - We have 24 Intel® SSD DC P3520 Series cards in 6 ESXi hosts. 4 (in 1 host) are running firmware MDV10291 and 20 are running firmware MDV10271.

Kind regards

[JosafathB_Intel]

Hello RAdV,

Thank you for your reply.

Please take into consideration the following information:

1- Intel® as the hardware manufacturer, provides information and sometimes drivers to the most common OS manufacturers, and it is up to them to validate the compatibility and to select the features that are going to be available at the moment of using a specific configuration. We advise you to work with VMware* regarding this.

2- Based on the SSD label you provided, your SSD is an Intel® SSD DC P3520 Series (2.0TB, 1/2 Height PCIe 3.0 x4, 3D1, MLC) SSDPEDMX020T701. Our recommendation is to consult with VMware* if the whole Intel® SSD DC P35xx family is not supported.

3- Regarding the Intel® MAS not working in your system seems to be that you are not using one of the supported OS, as stated in the User Guide (https://downloadmirror.intel.com/29917/eng/Intel-MAS-CLI-1.3-Install-Guide-Public-342329-004US.pdf) section 1.1. The supported versions of VMware OS are ESXi 6.0, 6.5, 6.7.

Please contact VMware and share with them this model and firmware versions for them to provide you with the compatibility information.

We are going to follow up with you again next Tuesday, the 24th of November 2020, if we do not receive an answer from you. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a different date for the follow-up.

We will be looking forward to your reply.

Best regards,

Josh B.
Intel® Customer Support Technician

[JosafathB_Intel]

Hello RAdV,

Greetings from; Intel® Memory and Storage support.

We were reviewing your community thread, which is related to your Intel® SSD DC P3520 Series. We would like to know if you were able to get more information from VMware* related to your issue.

We are going to follow up with you again next Friday, the 27th of November 2020, if we do not receive an answer from you. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a different date for the follow-up.

We will be looking forward to your reply in case you need further assistance.

Best regards,

Josh B.

Intel® Customer Support Technician