Dell Perc 6i controller and drives not recognized.
Hello All ,
I have a Dell R900 with a perc 6i. Currently, it has 2 physical SAS 15k dell drives using a Raid 1 . I wish to create another Virtual Disk of Raid 1 with 2 Toshiba -2tb 7k SAS drives , however, when in the controller setup screen , the new disks shows "ready" but I cannot bring them online in the PD management section . Only options are to light up led or make hot swappable , however that option fails with error.
I already had to ship back 2 - 3tb drives as they are apparently are not supported ( up to 2tb only) , so this is becoming a nightmare. Can someone please let me know the supported configurations and drive types/vendors . Unable to locate the tech manual anywhere..
I have a Dell R900 with a perc 6i. Currently, it has 2 physical SAS 15k dell drives using a Raid 1 . I wish to create another Virtual Disk of Raid 1 with 2 Toshiba -2tb 7k SAS drives , however, when in the controller setup screen , the new disks shows "ready" but I cannot bring them online in the PD management section . Only options are to light up led or make hot swappable , however that option fails with error.
I already had to ship back 2 - 3tb drives as they are apparently are not supported ( up to 2tb only) , so this is becoming a nightmare. Can someone please let me know the supported configurations and drive types/vendors . Unable to locate the tech manual anywhere..
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
any further comments..?
Hi,
I know they only allow Dell-supported SATA disks but I've never seen anything about a similar restriction on SAS ones. It's certainly possible but I cannot confirm this 100%
http://stuff.mit.edu/afs/athena/dept/cron/documentation/dell-server-admin/en/Perc6i_6e/chapterh.htm
I know they only allow Dell-supported SATA disks but I've never seen anything about a similar restriction on SAS ones. It's certainly possible but I cannot confirm this 100%
NOTE: The PERC 6 controllers support Dell-qualified SATA physical disks.
http://stuff.mit.edu/afs/athena/dept/cron/documentation/dell-server-admin/en/Perc6i_6e/chapterh.htm
2TB physical disks - SAS or SATA - are the max supported on a PERC 6/i - a limitation of the hardware.
"I know they only allow Dell-supported SATA disks but I've never seen anything about a similar restriction on SAS ones."
The PERC 6/i does NOT lock out non Dell-supported drives, SAS or SATA. (The H700 did originally, but the lock-out was lifted via firmware update nearly 4 years ago.)
You cannot bring them "online" directly on the PD MGMT screen. You have to create (and initialize) a new Virtual Disk with them. On the VD MGMT screen, highlight the controller, hit F2, Create New VD.
"I know they only allow Dell-supported SATA disks but I've never seen anything about a similar restriction on SAS ones."
The PERC 6/i does NOT lock out non Dell-supported drives, SAS or SATA. (The H700 did originally, but the lock-out was lifted via firmware update nearly 4 years ago.)
You cannot bring them "online" directly on the PD MGMT screen. You have to create (and initialize) a new Virtual Disk with them. On the VD MGMT screen, highlight the controller, hit F2, Create New VD.
ASKER
Exactly.
If you accepted that answer because it matched your situation, problem, and symptoms, great, BUT I do have to point out an inaccuracy with the accepted answer:
I think only hdd with dell firmware works on [these] controllers.This is NOT the case. Most likely your drives were using incompatible firmware, but the PERC 6 does NOT lock out non-Dell drives (SATA or SAS) and most (but not all) non-certified drives WILL work on a PERC 6.
ASKER