Appendix C RAID Controller Considerations

Embedded MegaRAID Controller

Installing the Red Hat Linux Driver

This section describes the fresh installation of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.7, 6.1, or 6.2 device driver on systems with the embedded MegaRAID stack.

Step 1 Create a RAID drive group using the LSI SWRAID Configuration utility before you install this driver for the OS. Launch this utility by pressing Ctrl+M when LSI SWRAID is shown during BIOS post.

Step 2 Prepare the dud.img file using one of the following methods:

To install from a physical diskette: Use one of the procedures in Preparing Physical Installation Diskettes For Linux, page C-14.

Then return to Step 4 of this procedure.

To install from a virtual floppy disk: Download and save the Cisco UCS C-Series drivers ISO, as described in Downloading the LSI MegaSR Drivers, page C-12.

Then continue with the next step.

Step 3 Extract the dud.img file:

a.Burn the ISO image to a disc.

b.Browse the contents of the drivers folders to the location of the embedded MegaRAID drivers:

/<OS>/Storage/Intel/C600/

c.Copy the dud-<driver version>.img file to a temporary location on your workstation.

Step 4 Start the Linux driver installation using one of the following methods:

To install from local media: Connect an external USB DVD drive to the server and then insert the first RHEL install disc into the drive.

Then continue with Step 6.

To install from remote ISO: Log in to the server’s CIMC interface. Then continue with the next step.

Step 5 Launch a Virtual KVM console window and select the Virtual Media tab.

a.Click Add Image and browse to select your remote RHEL installation ISO file.

b.Click Add Image again and browse to select your dud.img file.

c.Select the check boxes in the Mapped column for the media that you just added, then wait for mapping to complete.

Step 6 Power cycle the server.

Step 7 Press F6 when you see the F6 prompt during bootup. The Boot Menu window opens. Step 8 On the Boot Manager window, select the physical disc or virtual DVD and press Enter.

The RHEL installation begins when the image is booted.

Step 9 Type one of the following commands at the boot prompt:

For RHEL 5.7 (32- and 64-bit), type:

Linux dd blacklist=isci blacklist=ahci noprobe=<atadrive number>

For RHEL 6.1 and 6.2 (32- and 64-bit), type:

Linux dd blacklist=isci blacklist=ahci nodmraid noprobe=<atadrive number>

Note The noprobe values depend on the number of drives. For example, to install RHEL 5.7 on a RAID 5 configuration with three drives, enter:

Linux dd blacklist=isci blacklist=ahci noprobe=ata1 noprobe=ata2 noprobe=ata3

 

Cisco UCS C220 Server Installation and Service Guide

C-16

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Cisco Systems 9266CV-8i, UCSSP6C220E, UCUCSEZC220M3S, UCSRAID9266CV manual Installing the Red Hat Linux Driver

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.