Drive Migration, Nvram | Intel SRCSAS18E instruction

Drive Migration

Drive migration is the transfer of a set of hard drives in an existing configuration from one controller to another. The drives must remain on the same port and be reinstalled in the same order as in the original configuration. The controller to which you migrate the drives cannot have an existing configuration.

Note: Only complete configurations can be migrated; individual virtual disks cannot be migrated.

Note: Drive roaming and drive migration cannot be supported at the same time.

Perform the following steps to migrate drives:

1.Make sure that you clear the configuration on the system to which you migrate the drives, to prevent a configuration data mismatch between the hard drives and the

NVRAM.

2.Turn off all power to the server and all hard drives, enclosures, and system components, then disconnect power cords from the systems.

3.Open the host systems by following the instructions in the host system technical documentation.

4.Remove the SAS cable connectors from the internal drives or the shielded cables from the external drives you want to migrate.

—Make sure pin 1 on the cable matches pin 1 on the connector.

—Make sure that the SAS cables conform to all SAS specifications.

5.Remove the hard drives from the first system and insert them into drive bays on the second.

6.Connect the SAS cables to the hard drives in the second system in the same order as they were connected in the first system.

7.Determine the SAS target requirements.

8.Perform a safety check.

—Make sure all cables are properly attached.

—Make sure the RAID controller is properly installed.

—Close the cabinet of the host system.

—Turn power on after completing the safety check.

9.Power on the system.

The controller detects the RAID configuration from the configuration data on the drives.

7	Intel® RAID Controller SRCSAS18E User’s Guide

SRCSAS18E specifications

The Intel SRCSAS18E is a robust and high-performance storage controller card designed for data-intensive applications, primarily targeted at enterprise environments. Featuring support for both Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) and SATA drives, this controller brings an impressive array of features, technologies, and characteristics that enhance storage performance, reliability, and scalability.

One of the standout features of the SRCSAS18E is its capability to manage up to 18 drives simultaneously. This is achieved through the use of eight internal ports, which can connect to a wide range of SAS and SATA drives, enabling organizations to build a scalable storage architecture. The controller supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, providing flexibility in data management and protection strategies. This RAID functionality ensures that data can be mirrored, striped, or spread across multiple drives to enhance performance and redundancy, which is crucial for minimizing downtime.

The SRCSAS18E incorporates advanced technologies such as Intel's RAID Response Technology, which allows for enhanced data protection and recovery options. This technology facilitates faster rebuilding of arrays in the event of a drive failure, significantly reducing the risk of data loss. Additionally, the controller includes battery-backed cache memory, which helps to ensure data integrity and performance by providing temporary storage during write operations, even in case of power loss.

For seamless integration with current infrastructure, the SRCSAS18E supports PCI Express interface. It offers up to 6 Gb/s data transfer rates per port, optimizing data throughput and overall system performance. This high-speed connectivity is essential for applications that require rapid access to vast amounts of data, including virtualization and high-performance computing tasks.

The controller also features compatibility with various operating systems and server platforms, enhancing its versatility. Organizations can take advantage of plug-and-play functionality, allowing for easier deployment and management in diverse IT environments.

Furthermore, the SRCSAS18E is built with enterprise-grade reliability in mind, supporting features like thermal monitoring and advanced error correction to safeguard against hardware failures. Its ability to manage a large number of drives effectively makes it an ideal solution for data centers and enterprises looking to enhance their storage solutions while ensuring maximum uptime and data availability.

In summary, the Intel SRCSAS18E is a feature-rich storage controller well-suited for demanding environments that require reliable and efficient data management. Its combination of high performance, support for multiple RAID configurations, and robust data protection technologies makes it a valuable addition to any enterprise storage infrastructure.