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# Setting Up FreeNAS on a Dell r610 Server:<br/>Helpful Links and Tips
*Originally published 2018-10-18 by Nick Sweeting on [docs.sweeting.me](https://docs.sweeting.me/s/blog).*
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## Links to Get Started
* [Updated: SAS HBA crossflashing or flashing to IT mode, Dell Perc H200 and H310 – techmattr](https://techmattr.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/updated-sas-hba-crossflashing-or-flashing-to-it-mode-dell-perc-h200-and-h310/)
* [Help with converting H200 to JBOD mode on R710 : homelab](https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/comments/7fnkpw/help_with_converting_h200_to_jbod_mode_on_r710/)
* [H200 in storage slot is a no go? : homelab](https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/comments/4gb0kg/h200_in_storage_slot_is_a_no_go/)
* https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/comments/48i7p6/h700_internal_sbr_spd_files_needed/
* https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/dell-perc-h200-card.24805/
* https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/comments/9perij/help_can_the_h200i_be_run_in_the_r610s_internal/
* https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/comments/9pavfm/how_easy_is_it_to_remotely_manage_a_homelab_i/
* [Setting up a Dell r710 to work with a PERC H200 JBOD | ServeTheHome and ServeThe.Biz Forums](https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/setting-up-a-dell-r710-to-work-with-a-perc-h200-jbod.15857/)
* [Need help with H200, FreeNAS, and Dell R710 | Hard|Forum](https://hardforum.com/threads/need-help-with-h200-freenas-and-dell-r710.1891289/)
* [Questions about Dell H200 Raid Controller after flashing | Hard|Forum](https://hardforum.com/threads/questions-about-dell-h200-raid-controller-after-flashing.1891206/)
* [Swapping Perc 6/i with Perc 6/iR in Dell R710, invalid PCI card error - Server Fault](https://serverfault.com/questions/655368/swapping-perc-6-i-with-perc-6-ir-in-dell-r710-invalid-pci-card-error)
* https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/dell-h200-flash-to-it-firmware-procedure-for-dell-servers.467/
* [A Cheaper M1015 - the Dell H200 and a HOWTO Flash | OCAU Forums](https://forums.overclockers.com.au/threads/a-cheaper-m1015-the-dell-h200-and-a-howto-flash.1045376/)
* https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln292279/list-of-poweredge-raid-controller-perc-types-for-dell-emc-systems?lang=en
* [Which SAS cables for H200 in R610? - Dell Community](https://www.dell.com/community/PowerEdge-HDD-SCSI-RAID/Which-SAS-cables-for-H200-in-R610/td-p/6059066) (1)
* [Which SAS cables for H200 in R610? - Dell Community](https://www.dell.com/community/PowerEdge-HDD-SCSI-RAID/Which-SAS-cables-for-H200-in-R610/td-p/6105743) (2)
## Tips
Getting FreeNAS / ZFS running on a Dell r610 was quite an adventure, I thought I had some sysadmin chops but boy did this project school me.
The major headaches:
- Power supplies specs must be *exactly* matched
- RAM specs must be *exactly* matched, don't mix and match channel width specs or Hz
- Perc 6/i is garbage and should be replaced with an HBA like the H200
- Get an iDRAC 6 card. You'll need it
- vFlash can only be booted from in BIOS boot mode (not UEFI)
## Specs
- Any *matched* pair of Intel x5*** Xeon Processors
- Any 4, 8, or 12 *perfectly* matched 4gb 2rx8 rc3l 10600r-09-10 DDR3 ECC RAM chips (must have same number of memory channels, e.g. cannot mix 1xr4 and 2rx8)
- A single, or matched pair of 717W power supplies (*do not use ones w/ different wattages!*)
## Power Supplies
If you run with unmatched wattages on your power supplies, e.g. one 502W and one 717W, if the system power ever exceeds the one with the *lowest* rating, the server will automatically lower the clock speed and voltages of all your components. If you're running with all the RAM slots filled and a few hard drives, you *must* have one or two 717W supplies, but do not run a 502W + 717W. Luckily power supplies are cheap and you can find 717W ones on Ebay for $7.
Note the higher wattage power supply has a higher idle power consumption as well, by about ~10W-15W.
*Note: Hey electronics hobbyists! You can get a 700W 12v power supply for $7 by looking for old Dell Server PSUs on eBay!!*
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