Using the nVidia RAID Utility

Chapter 2: Installation

2.Use the arrow keys to move to the "Advanced" menu, then scroll down to "nVidia RAID Function" and press the <Enter> key. Use this setting to enable the RAID function. After enabling RAID, use the next setting to enable all drives you wish to include in the RAID array.

3.Hit the <F10> key to "Save Changes and Exit", then hit <Enter> to verify.

4.After exiting the BIOS Setup Utility, the system will reboot. When prompted during the startup, press the <F10> key when prompted to run the nVidia RAID Utility program.

The nVidia RAID Utility program is where you can deﬁne the drives you want to include in the RAID array and the mode and type of RAID. Two main windows are shown in the utility (see Figure 2-5). The "Free Disks" window on the left will list all available drives. Use the arrow keys to select and move drives to the window on the right, which lists all drives that are to become part of the RAID array.

Once you have ﬁnished selecting the drives and type of RAID you wish to use for your RAID array, press the <F7> key. You will be prompted to verify your choice; if you want to continue with your choices, select "Yes". Note that selecting "Yes" will clear all previous data from the drives you selected to be a part of the array. You are then given the choice of making the RAID array bootable by pressing the the <B> key. After you have ﬁnshed, press the <Ctrl> and <X> keys simultaneously. Figure 2-6 shows a list of arrays that have been set up with the utility.

Installing the OS and Drivers

With the Windows OS installation CD in the CD-ROM drive, restart the system. When you see the prompt, hit the <F6> key to enter Windows setup. Eventually a blue screen will appear with a message that begins "Windows could not determine the type of one or more storage devices . . ." When you see the screen, hit the <S> key to "Specify Additional Device", then insert the driver diskette you just created into the ﬂoppy drive. Highlight "Manufuacturer Supplied Hardware Support Disk" and hit the <Enter> key. Highlight the ﬁrst "nVidia RAID" driver shown and press the <Enter> key to install it. Soon a similar blue screen will appear again. Again hit the <S> key, then highlight the second item, "nForce Storage Controller" and press the <Enter> key, then <Enter> again to continue with the Windows setup.

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H8QM3-2 specifications

The Super Micro Computer H8QM3-2 is a cutting-edge server motherboard designed to meet the demanding needs of high-performance computing applications. Built upon the AMD Opteron architecture, it is tailored for enterprises seeking robust server capabilities with exceptional performance, reliability, and scalability.

One of the standout features of the H8QM3-2 is its support for dual AMD Opteron 6100 series processors. This allows for an impressive processing power that can handle resource-intensive tasks and demanding workloads. With a maximum supported RAM of 512GB via 16 DIMM slots, this motherboard can efficiently manage large datasets and applications that require substantial memory.

The H8QM3-2 also boasts a versatile I/O capabilities. It includes multiple PCI-E 2.0 slots to accommodate a variety of expansion cards, ensuring that businesses can customize their servers to meet specific requirements. The motherboard features up to six SATA III ports for enhanced data transfer speeds and reliable connectivity. These ports support both RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations, which provide options for data redundancy and enhanced performance.

In terms of network connectivity, the H8QM3-2 integrates dual 1GbE ports, allowing for efficient data transmission and reliable networking. This integration is vital for servers that rely on continuous uptime and need to manage extensive network traffic.

Another significant advantage of the H8QM3-2 is its energy efficiency. Supermicro's commitment to green computing is evident in this motherboard's design, which balances performance and power consumption. Organizations can benefit from reduced operational costs while still enjoying high-performance capabilities.

The H8QM3-2 is also designed with advanced thermal management technology. It features dedicated cooling zones and support for multiple fans to ensure that components remain at optimal temperatures, thus prolonging their lifespan and maintaining performance standards.

Security features are paramount in server technology, and the H8QM3-2 does not disappoint. Its support for hardware-based security features helps protect sensitive data and integrity against various threats.

In summary, the Super Micro Computer H8QM3-2 motherboard stands out in the realm of server solutions. With its support for dual AMD Opteron processors, extensive memory capacity, versatile I/O options, energy efficiency, and advanced thermal management, it is an excellent choice for businesses looking to upgrade their server infrastructure while maximizing performance and reliability.