Chapter 7: Installing the Driver and an Operating System 68

5Select Yes to install a custom driver, then click Add.

6Insert the driver disk, then click OK.

7Select the driver from the displayed list, click OK, then follow the on-screen instructions to load the driver.

8Complete the VMware installation, following the on-screen instructions.

9Reboot your computer, then remove the VMware Installation CD.

Note: You may see a warning that the controller driver is not certified by VMware (no signature attached). You can ignore this message.

Note: For information about creating and managing arrays under VMware, see page 81.

Installing with VMware ESXi 5

Note: Use the following procedure to install the controller driver for an Adaptec Series 6 controller with VMware ESXi 5. This task is not necessary if you are installing the driver with an Adaptec Series 2 or Series 5 controller. Instead, you can choose to install VMware ESXi 5 using the in-box driver (which supports Series 2 and Series 5 controllers directly) and update it either during or after the installation is complete, if required.

To install the Adaptec RAID controller driver with VMware ESXi 5, you must create a custom boot image using the VMware Image Builder. The VMware Image Builder is distributed as a snap-in component for vSphere PowerCLI, a command-line and scripting tool from VMware based on Microsoft PowerShell.

You can download PowerCLI from the VMware Download Center at www.vmware.com/ downloads. To perform the installation, you will also need to download the VMware ESXi5.0 Standard Software Depot from the VMware Download Center.

Note: You will need a writable CD to complete this task. You must have administrator privileges to create the driver disk and install the driver image.

Note: In the following instructions, perform Steps 1-7on your Windows build machine—the machine used to build the custom boot image—and Steps 8-11on the machine where you want to install the custom image. Be sure to install the prerequiste software first, including Powershell and Microsoft .NET 2.0, before you install PowerCLI or start to create the custom boot image.

To install the Adaptec RAID controller driver when installing VMware ESXi 5:

1Download Microsoft PowerShell and Microsoft .NET 2.0 (if not installed on your machine already) and install on your Windows build machine. You can download PowerShell and Microsoft .NET from the Microsoft Download Center at www.microsoft.com/download.

Note: PowerShell is preinstalled on Windows 2008 and Windows 7 systems.

2Run PowerShell as Administrator, then set the execution policy to Remote Signed:

# Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

3Download and install vSphere PowerCLI on your Windows build machine. You can download PowerCLI from the VMware Download Center at www.vmware.com/ downloads (for example, VMware-PowerCLI-5.0.0-374833.exe).

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Adaptec 2268300R manual Installing with VMware ESXi

2268300R specifications

The Adaptec 2268300R is a robust and versatile RAID controller designed for enterprise-level storage needs. Ideal for environments demanding high availability, performance, and data protection, this controller provides organizations with the ability to manage large volumes of data while ensuring reliability.

One of the standout features of the Adaptec 2268300R is its support for various RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. This flexibility allows users to choose the configuration that best suits their performance and redundancy requirements. By combining multiple drives into a single logical unit, the controller enhances data throughput and ensures data safety through redundancy.

The controller is built on a SATA and SAS architecture, allowing it to connect directly to both SATA and SAS drives. This broad compatibility is crucial for businesses looking to leverage existing hardware while also scaling their storage infrastructure. The Adaptec 2268300R is equipped with a powerful onboard processor that significantly boosts performance, driving down latency and increasing transaction speeds across connected drives.

Additionally, the Adaptec 2268300R features cache memory with a non-volatile option that enhances data integrity during unexpected power outages. This feature is essential for mission-critical applications where data loss can have severe repercussions. Moreover, the controller supports advanced caching algorithms, optimizing write and read performance to meet the demands of modern applications.

The controller also integrates seamlessly with Adaptec's management suite, providing users with a graphical interface to monitor and manage their storage solutions effectively. The web-based management tool allows administrators to configure RAID settings, monitor disk health, and perform troubleshooting, all from a centralized platform.

Security is another critical aspect of the Adaptec 2268300R. The controller comes equipped with encryption capabilities, enabling users to secure sensitive data at rest—protecting information from unauthorized access. Furthermore, with features like hot-spare drive support and automatic rebuilds, the controller assures continued operation even in the event of a disk failure.

In conclusion, the Adaptec 2268300R is a powerful RAID controller that delivers significant advantages in performance, flexibility, and reliability. With its support for multiple RAID levels, SAS and SATA compatibility, robust caching, and advanced management tools, it stands out as an ideal solution for businesses needing to safeguard and manage their vast data assets efficiently. Whether for enhancing data security or optimizing storage performance, the Adaptec 2268300R remains a sound choice in today’s data-driven landscape.