Configuring a RAID array

Use this information to configure a RAID array on your compute node.

Note: The RAID feature is not supported by some earlier versions of Flex System x222 Compute Node firmware. Upgrade your compute node to the latest level of firmware to access this feature.

RAID level-0 (striping) can be configured on a compute node with a single hard disk drive installed. A minimum of two disk drives must be installed to implement and manage RAID level-1 (mirroring) arrays in operating systems that are listed on the ServerProven list at the Lenovo ServerProven website. Each drive must have the same type of interface and speed and if drives of differing capacity are used, the controller will treat them all as if they have the capacity of the smallest drive. If you are configuring RAID for a compute node with multiple drives, both drives must be included in the RAID array.

The compute node comes with an integrated ServeRAID C100 controller integrated on the system board: no additional hardware is required. The ServeRAID C100 controls all devices that are connected to the system board SATA ports, with RAID functions disabled by default.

Important: You must create the software RAID array before you install the operating system on the compute node.

Note:
  • ServeRAID C100 RAID configuration is not supported in VMware 5 and VMware 4.1.
  • You must download and install the device drivers for your operating system that are required for RAID operation (see Updating firmware and device drivers).
  • The Flex System Manager management software (if installed) provides limited support for RAID arrays using the integrated ServeRAID C100 controller. For more information about Flex System Manager management software, see the "Flex System Manager Software: Installation and Service Guide".

To create a software RAID array using the integrated ServeRAID C100 controller, complete the following steps:

  1. Configure the SATA hard disk drives for RAID operation, if you have not already done so:
    1. Start the compute node Setup utility. See Using the Setup utility for instructions.
    2. Under System Settings, select Devices and I/O Ports.
    3. Under Configure the onboard SATA, select RAID.
    4. Press Esc twice to return to the Setup utility main menu.
    5. Select Save Settings and then select Exit Setup.
    The compute node restarts with the SATA hard disk drives configured for RAID operation.
  2. Start the compute node Setup utility. See Using the Setup utility for instructions.
  3. Under System Settings, select Storage.
  4. Under Storage, select LSI Software RAID Configuration Utility.
  5. Select Virtual Drive Management → Create Configuration.
  6. Under Select RAID Level, select the RAID level for the array that you want to create:
    • RAID0 is the only option available if there is just one hard disk drive installed.
    • RAID0 and RAID1 are available if two hard disk drives are installed.
  7. On the Create Configuration screen, select Select Drives. The Select Drives screen is displayed.
  8. On the Select Drives screen, scroll down to Choose Unconfigured Drives and highlight the drive you want to use. Press the spacebar to select a drive. An X appears to indicate that the drive has been selected. Repeat this step for a second drive if you are configuring a RAID1 array.
  9. On the Select Drives screen, select Apply Changes to create the array.
  10. When the Success prompt is displayed, select OK to continue.
  11. After the system returns to the Create Configuration screen, select Save Configuration.
    Note:
    1. You must save the virtual drive configuration before exiting the Setup utility.
    2. If you return to the Select Drives screen, your drive selections will be deleted.
  12. When the prompt Creating Virtual Drives will cause the data lost on the associated Drives to be permanently deleted. is displayed, select Yes to continue.
  13. When the Success prompt is displayed, select OK to continue.
  14. RAID1 only: To initialize the virtual disk, select ServeRAID C100 → Virtual Drive Management → Select Virtual Drive Operations.
    Note: These steps are not required for RAID0.
    1. Under Virtual Drive Operation, choose Select Operation. Select the type of initialization you want to use.
    2. Select Start Operation.
    3. Select Yes to confirm.
    4. When the Success prompt is displayed, select OK to continue.
Parent topic: Configuring a compute node