Appendix C RAID Controller Considerations

Embedded MegaRAID Controller

Embedded MegaRAID Controller

Note VMware ESX/ESXi or any other virtualized environments are not supported for use with the embedded MegaRAID controller. Hypervisors such as Hyper-V, Xen, or KVM are also not supported for use with the embedded MegaRAID controller.

This server includes the option for an embedded MegaRAID controller with two mini-SAS connectors on the motherboard.

The default setting for this embedded controller is SAS RAID 0, 1, and 10 support for up to four SATA drives.

You can upgrade this to support to SAS RAID 0, 1, and 10 support for up to eight SAS drives by installing a Storage Controller Unit (SCU) upgrade ROM chip on the motherboard. See Installing a SCU Upgrade ROM Module For Embedded RAID SAS Support, page C-9.

You can further upgrade this support by adding SAS RAID 5 support with an optional software key. See Installing a Software RAID Key Module for Embedded RAID 5 Support, page C-10.

When you order the server with this controller, the controller is enabled in the BIOS. Instructions for enabling the controller are included for the case in which a server is reset to defaults (Disabled). See Enabling the Embedded RAID Controller in the BIOS, page C-10.

Note You cannot downgrade from using a RAID controller card to using the embedded controller (see RAID Controller Migration, page C-6). Instructions for installing upgrade modules and enabling the embedded controller in the BIOS are included here for those upgrading a server with no RAID controller or drives.

Caution Data migration from SW RAID (embedded RAID) to HW RAID (a controller card) is not supported and could result in data loss. Migrations from SW RAID to HW RAID are supported only before there is data on the drives, or the case in which there are no drives in the server (see RAID Controller Migration, page C-6).

You can migrate from using the embedded controller to using a RAID card only before there is data on the drives. In this case, you must disable the embedded controller. See Disabling the Embedded RAID Controller in the BIOS, page C-11.

The required drivers for this controller are already installed and ready to use with the LSI SWRAID Configuration Utility. However, if you will use this controller with Windows or Linux, you must download and install additional drivers for those operating systems. See Installing LSI MegaSR Drivers For Windows and Linux, page C-11.

This section contains the following topics:

Notes on Supported Embedded MegaRAID Levels, page C-8

Installing a SCU Upgrade ROM Module For Embedded RAID SAS Support, page C-9

Installing a Software RAID Key Module for Embedded RAID 5 Support, page C-10

Enabling the Embedded RAID Controller in the BIOS, page C-10

Disabling the Embedded RAID Controller in the BIOS, page C-11

Launching the LSI Embedded RAID Configuration Utility, page C-11

Installing LSI MegaSR Drivers For Windows and Linux, page C-11

Cisco UCS C220 Server Installation and Service Guide

 

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Cisco Systems UCSSP6C220E, UCUCSEZC220M3S, UCSRAID9266CV, 9266CV-8i manual Embedded MegaRAID Controller

UCSRAID9266CV, C220, 9266CV-8i, UCSSP6C220E, UCUCSEZC220M3S specifications

Cisco Systems offers a range of powerful solutions for data center and enterprise infrastructures, among which are the UCSSP6C220E and UCUCSEZC220M3S, as well as the UCS C220 servers and the 9266CV-8i RAID controller. These products are designed to deliver high performance, scalability, and reliability, making them ideal for mission-critical applications across various industries.

The UCSSP6C220E is an essential component for the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) environment. It is designed for exceptional performance in virtualization and cloud computing environments. Key features include support for Intel Xeon Scalable processors, allowing for improved processing power and efficiency. Additionally, the server supports numerous memory configurations, with support for up to 3TB of RAM using 24 DIMM slots. With its innovative design, the UCSSP6C220E provides efficient cooling and power management, ensuring optimal performance under heavy workloads.

The UCUCSEZC220M3S model further enhances the capabilities of Cisco UCS with its flexible storage options and advanced management features. It supports multiple networking technologies, enabling seamless integration into existing IT infrastructures. The server's scalability is a significant benefit, accommodating a wide variety of workloads from virtualization to high-performance computing.

The UCS C220 series is a versatile platform known for its balance of performance, storage, and density. It is ideal for running more applications while minimizing data center space. The C220 server can support both SAS and SATA drives, enabling businesses to choose the right storage solution for their specific needs.

The 9266CV-8i RAID controller is a robust solution designed to enhance data protection and performance. It supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, providing multiple options for balancing performance and redundancy. With 1GB of integrated cache memory, it helps accelerate data access, while its eight internal ports ensure high connectivity and flexibility for storage expansions.

Coupled with the UCSRAID9266CV, this controller simplifies storage management with advanced features such as online capacity expansion and dynamic RAID migration. Together, these technologies help organizations optimize their data centers while ensuring high availability and reliability, making Cisco Systems’ offerings a cornerstone for enterprise IT infrastructures.