RAID in server 2008
Hi
I am running IBM X3500 server, two SAS drives 146GB, I have made 2 arrays for the two drives (in control A option when the system boots up). I have 64bit server 2008 ent edition. Under storage options when I right click over the drives the RAID options are dim. Do i need a software to establish RAID onto my server? which one? I thought once enabled in BIOS/control A option it will automatically be seen in the OS?
I need to test different arrays.
Help plz
I am running IBM X3500 server, two SAS drives 146GB, I have made 2 arrays for the two drives (in control A option when the system boots up). I have 64bit server 2008 ent edition. Under storage options when I right click over the drives the RAID options are dim. Do i need a software to establish RAID onto my server? which one? I thought once enabled in BIOS/control A option it will automatically be seen in the OS?
I need to test different arrays.
Help plz
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What do you mean by "deal with RAID"? The functions you describe are the functions of RAID. Stuff like RAID level, container size, etc. come into play while you are creating the array.
Based on the name, I would have to say yes to being able to install the contents of the CD. No, installing the application should not put you into a software RAID setup. In Windows you don't install anything for software RAID, you just configure Windows appropriately. I see no reason why IBM would give you a disk to re-create software RAID functionality. Since every piece of hardware can be slightly different though, I will strongly advise that you read the manual though. Take a hard lesson learned from one of my collegues who failed to do this and stumbled along based on knowledge of other hardware RAID solutions -- he selected the wrong answer and totally blew out the RAID configs on a live server.
Based on the name, I would have to say yes to being able to install the contents of the CD. No, installing the application should not put you into a software RAID setup. In Windows you don't install anything for software RAID, you just configure Windows appropriately. I see no reason why IBM would give you a disk to re-create software RAID functionality. Since every piece of hardware can be slightly different though, I will strongly advise that you read the manual though. Take a hard lesson learned from one of my collegues who failed to do this and stumbled along based on knowledge of other hardware RAID solutions -- he selected the wrong answer and totally blew out the RAID configs on a live server.
ASKER
I meant I will be dealing with hardware RAID. May be I think you are right and I missed something and simply made two arrays on 2 drives.
Thanks for the words of caution. Since its a new server I have ample time to fully configure after testing it.
Thanks
Thanks for the words of caution. Since its a new server I have ample time to fully configure after testing it.
Thanks
ServeRAID is not software RAID. It is the software that allows windows to manage the hardware RAID. The difference is that the RAID controller is actually performing the striping, mirroring, etc. with hardware RAID. If it were software RAID the software i.e. the OS in the case of windows software RAID would be handling that functionality.
You will have much more functionality if you install the ServeRAID software than you do from the hitting control A while the server is posting.
You will have much more functionality if you install the ServeRAID software than you do from the hitting control A while the server is posting.
ASKER
willettmeister:
Thanks for clarifying. I just installed 'ServRAID 9 application' CD and it has actually many features as compared to just hitting 'Control + A'. So it means any changes or RAIDS I make through 'ServRAID9 Application' will be done immediately to the hardware RAID controller and next time the machine starts if I press Control + A those changes will be seen there?
Thanks for clarifying. I just installed 'ServRAID 9 application' CD and it has actually many features as compared to just hitting 'Control + A'. So it means any changes or RAIDS I make through 'ServRAID9 Application' will be done immediately to the hardware RAID controller and next time the machine starts if I press Control + A those changes will be seen there?
Yes, that is correct (I know, I'm not willettmeister, but I happened to be in the site checking one of my questions ;-)
ASKER
I really appreciate your time guys. I have learned another exciting process with this discussion. Keep up the good work!
ASKER
Very productive infomation guys thanks.
I have an idea now of what type of RAID I would want to deal with, I think its HardWare RAID. Question: when I press control+A on system boot and go into RAID configuration there I can only make new arrays, delete them, see hard drives, it never gives me any option to actually deal with RAID? Help!
-I have a CD for 'serveRAID 9 Application' this is the one which can be installed on windows, but again if I install this CD I would have to deal with software RAID, am I right?