Hello. Uncertified Non Dell controllers are not validated to function properly on Dell servers. However this does not mean that may not work, it is a 50-50 chance. I recommend you use Dell certified SAS HBA card such as: Manufacturer Part# : 7RJDT | Dell Part# : 342-0910. Not so sure about the connector type
So I got a used R905 off ebay.  I wanted to use it for a storage server.  Unfortunately, neither the LSI SAS HBA nor the Areca 1883 work in any of the 7 pci-e slots.  The cards are seen and their bios are launched and start self-tests and such.  Both of them hang during initialization (it's not a matter of waiting a few minutes - in one test, I left it this way all day while I was out.)  I know the slots are not dead, as the 4-port gbe enet card that came with it works just fine, as does an infiniband connect-x 2 card.  I have confirmed that the bios and bmc firmware are the latest and greatest.  Is this some kind of dell 'we only support dell controllers' thing?  If so, I guess I'm okay with buying a random dell SAS HBA with sff-8088 connector (since that is what the jbod I want to hook up uses...)  Any thoughts appreciated...
SAS HBA or Raid for R905 for external storage?