SSD7000 Series PerformanceTest Guide (macOS)

This knowledge base (KB) applies to the following NVMe RAID AICs.

Table 1: Support NVMe RAID AICs

Support NVMe RAID AICs

SSD7101A-1 SSD7104 SSD7105 SSD7204 SSD7140A SSD7540 SSD7749M SSD7749M2 SSD7749E SSD7505 SSD7202 SSD7502 SSD7120 SSD7180 SSD7184 SSD7580B SSD7580C

• Steps

Step 1 Download Performance Testing tool

We recommend using the ATTO Disk Benchmark utility to test the NVMe RAID array’s performance in a Mac Pro 2019 environment.

1. Download ATTO Disk Benchmark (a macOS 10.15 system was used for the following example):

ATTO Disk Benchmark:

https://www.atto.com/software/files/drivers/atto-disk-benchmark-macos-1.00.0f1.dmg

Or: Download from the App Store

Step 2 Expansion Slot Utility

The SSD7000 Series RAID Controller is best installed into either slot 3 or 5 – both slots can be set to operate at a full 16-lanes, and can be used at the same time – ideal for a Cross-Sync RAID configuration.

1. To configure the PCIe slot, access the macOS Expansion Slot Utility (found under the Apple menu > About This Mac > PCI Cards):

a. First, make sure Automatic Bandwidth Configuration is unchecked. This will ensure that your selection is locked in (macOS won’t alter the lane assignment based on system activity).

b. For the target PCIe slot, click the circle under the A column for x16.

Note If you wish to configure a Cross-Sync configuration, both slots 3 and 5 must be configured in this fashion.

Step 3 Check the PCIe Lane assignment

1. Start the WebGUI management software and click the Physical--Enclosure 1 tab.

a. SSD7100 Series RAID Controllers require a dedicated PCIe 3.0 x16 slot in order to perform optimally.

2. If you are configuring a Cross-Sync RAID array, repeat this procedure for Enclosure 2 to check the PCIe Lane assignment.

Step 4 Configure the RAID Array (e.g. RAID0)

1. Create a RAID array using the WebGUI.

WeGUI:

a. To configure the NVMe RAID array, access the WebGUI management software, and click the Logical tab.

b. Click on Create Array and configure the NVMe SSD’s as a RAID0.

2. Access Disk Utility and format the RAID array. Name, partition and format the array as desired. Once complete, it will mount on the desktop and be available for use.

Step 5 Start the Performance Test (e.g. RAID0)

1. Use the following parameters:

General Parameters File Size: 16GiB Que Depth/Disk: 256 Write Pattern: 0x0000000 (default) Streams/Disk: 1 I/O Size Range Start: 2 MiB End: 64 MiB

Note: Snapshot will run a single test. Continuous will repeat the test procedure until manually stopped.

2. After setting the parameters, click the Add Disk button and browse to the array volume:

3. Click the Start button to being the performance test.