PowerVault ME5 series report host port degraded when connected to Dell HBA355e SAS controller

On a PowerVault ME5 series array administrator may see a Health alert reporting a degraded SAS host port after a connected host is rebooted.
The following message is reported.
 

Reason:

The host port is degraded; it is only partially functional.

Recommendation:

- Check the cable between this host port and the connected switch or host and replace the cable if necessary.
- If this does not correct the problem, check the connected switch or host for problems.
- Enable the fan-out option if a fan-out cable is connected between the storage system and hosts.

Temporary workaround:

Select the degraded port and from the Actions drop menu choose Reset Host Port.
 

Resolution

Connect the SAS cables to the HBA355e ports in the recommended order.


The Dell HBA355e SAS adapter supports external PowerVault ME4 and ME5 series enclosures. To connect to external enclosures the HBA355e SAS adapter uses the HD Mini-SAS SFF-8644 cables. Dell supplied SAS cable part numbers are listed in the support matrix.

The latest HBA355e driver and HBA355e firmware available for your PowerEdge server model can be downloaded from dell.com/support.

The Dell HBA355e has four SAS ports which are grouped in pairs of two: P0 + P1 and P2 + P3. See the HBA355e user guide.
 

To cable the PowerVault ME controllers you can see the Dell PowerVault ME5 Series Storage System Deployment Guide section - Cable host servers to the storage system.

Figure 1:  HBA355e ports 0,1,2,3

Do not use the following port combinations when connecting SAS cables using the HBA355e with PowerVault ME series enclosures.
 

Recommended SAS cabling combination when using the HBA355e SAS HBA with PowerVault ME series controllers