IBM System Storage DS3512 Express 12-Bay 3.5" Dual-Controller SAN Array
Machine Type: 1746-C2A • Dual LSI 2660 Active RAID • 8x 8Gb Fibre Channel Cages • Dual 585W PSUs
🛡️ 100% Tested & Verified Operational Hardware
Unlike stripped-down units missing caddies or secondary modules, this enterprise SAN is complete with ALL 12 original 3.5" hot-swap trays, dual active RAID controllers, dual redundant 585W power supplies, and dual 4-port 8Gb Fibre Channel Host Interface Cards (HICs) installed.
🌟 Key Value & Hardware Highlights
- 8x 8Gbps Fibre Channel Host Ports Installed: Both controllers feature the factory-installed 4-port 8Gb FC Host Interface Card (HIC - IBM P/N 68Y8432 / 69Y2841), providing 4x SFP+ cages per controller (8x SFP+ cages total) for high-speed SAN fabric or direct server storage. (Note: SFP optical transceivers are not included).
- ALL 12 Original 3.5" Drive Trays Included: Full matching set of 12 original IBM hot-swap caddies with light pipes intact (these routinely sell separately for $10–$12 each — a $120+ value included free).
- Dual Active LSI Logic 2660 RAID Controllers: True enterprise active-active storage processors with onboard cache and dual lithium battery backup units (P/N 68Y8444).
- Hybrid SAN & SAS Connectivity: Features both 8Gb Fibre Channel connectivity AND external 6Gbps SAS-2 (SFF-8088) host ports, plus an external SAS drive expansion port to daisy-chain downstream EXP3512 JBOD shelves.
- Dual Redundant 585W Power Supplies: Two hot-swap power modules (IBM P/N 00W1521) tested with zero rail faults.
- Climate-Controlled Storage History: Purchased for a storage homelab setup initially, never put it into use myself. Pulled form working environments, safely stored in temperature controlled rooms. Tested to make sure its in working order.
⚙️ Detailed Hardware Specifications System Model IBM System Storage DS3512 Express (Machine Type: 1746-C2A) Chassis Serial Number SV21315122 Form Factor / Drive Bays 2U Rackmount, 12x 3.5" Hot-Swap SAS / SATA Drive Bays RAID Controllers Dual LSI Logic / Engenio 2660 Storage Processors (P/N: 45234-06 / 41211-02) Firmware Level 08.10.16.02 (IBM DS Storage Manager Microcode / NVSRAM) Fibre Channel Ports 8x 8Gb/s SFP+ Ports Total (Dual 4-Port HIC Daughtercards installed: 4 ports per controller). *Transceivers not included. SAS Host & Expansion External Mini-SAS SFF-8088 6Gbps host ports + SFF-8088 downstream expansion port Out-of-Band Management Dual 1GbE RJ-45 Ethernet Ports (Ctrl A: 192.168.128.101 / Ctrl B: 192.168.129.101) Power Supplies 2x 585W Hot-Swap Redundant 100–240V AC Power Supplies (00W1521) 🔬 Diagnostic Bench Testing & Audit Results
Connected to an external LSI 6.0 Gbps SAS controller on Linux host for verification:
- Host Link Negotiation: Verified full 4-lane 24.0 Gbps wide-port SAS-2 negotiation.
- SCSI & VPD Communication: Full inquiry response (IBM 1746 FAStT, Rev 1070) with all Vital Product Data (VPD) diagnostic pages verified functional.
- Voltage & Health Rails: All 9 internal power supply voltage rails tested within factory tolerance (12V, 5V, 3.3V, 1.2V, 0.98V).
- Cooling Telemetry: All internal blowers and chassis thermal sensors verified normal.
📦 What Is Included:
- 1x IBM System Storage DS3512 Express 2U 12-Bay Chassis (S/N: SV21315122)
- 2x LSI Logic 2660 Active RAID Controller Modules (with cache batteries)
- 2x 4-Port 8Gb Fibre Channel Host Interface Cards (Installed inside controllers, 8x SFP+ cages total)
- 2x 585W Redundant Hot-Swap AC Power Supplies (P/N: 00W1521)
- 12x Original IBM 3.5" Hot-Swap Drive Caddies / Trays (Installed)
⚠️ Please Note:
Hard drives, optical SFP transceivers, external SAS/FC cables, and rack rails are not included. Compatible with standard 8Gb/4Gb FC SFP/SFP+ optical transceivers (such as Finisar or IBM branded modules).
Fast & Secure Shipping: Packed with heavy-duty enterprise-grade high-density & expanding foam cushioning to protect chassis ears, controller backplane, and drive trays during transit. Ships with tracking and full insurance.
