RAID 50 works best when used with data that requires

RAID 50 can sustain one to four drive failures while maintaining data integrity if each failed disk is in a different RAID 5 array.

Table 3-6 provides an overview of RAID 50.

Ta b l e 3 - 6 . R A I D 5 0 O v e r v i e w

Uses	RAID 50 works best when used with data that requires
	high reliability, high request rates, and high data
	transfer and medium to large capacity.

Strong Points	RAID 50 provides high data throughput, data
	redundancy, and very good performance.

Weak Points	Requires 2 to 4 times as many parity drives as RAID 5.

Drives	6 to 256 (Eight arrays x 32 stripes = 256 drives)

RAID Levels

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Image 53

Dell 3 manual RAID 50 works best when used with data that requires, High reliability, high request rates, and high data

Contents

Perc 3 User’s Guide July 5C229 General Safety Instructions When Using Your Computer When Working Inside Your Computer Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Ergonomic Computing Habits Battery Disposal W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Contents Operating System Software Drivers Configuration on Disk ConfigurationPerc 3/SC Fault Tolerance Features Perc 3/SC Bios Hardware Architecture Features Array Performance Features Configuring Scsi Physical Drives Perc 3/QC Features 103 Planning the Array Configuration102 119 118120 131 150 135136 163 Enabling and Disabling the Cluster Mode 185167 173 Designating Drives as Hot Spares 195 190196 197 Glossary Index Figures Figures Tables Perc 3/QC Specifications 182 Bios Boot Error Messages C T I O N E r v i e w Perc 3 Overview Perc 3 Features Scsi Channels Scsi Connectors Scsi Bus Widths and Maximum Throughput Single-Ended and LVD Scsi BusesMaximum Cable Length for Scsi Standards Scsi Standard Scsi Bus Width Scsi Throughput Operating System Support Over view Introduction to RAID RAID Definition Perc 3 Host-Based RAID Solution Fault Tolerance Components and FeaturesPhysical Array Logical Drive Disk Striping Consistency Check G u r e 2 1 . E x a m pl e o f D i s k S t r i p i n g Stripe WidthStripe Size G u r e 2 2 . E xa m pl e o f D i s k M i r r or i n g Disk Mirroring G u r e 2 3 . E x a m pl e o f D i s k S p an n i n g Disk Spanning Spanning for RAID 10 or RAID Describes how to configure RAID 10 and RAID 50 by spanningParity Ta b l e 2 2 . Ty pe s o f Par i t y G u r e 2 4 . E x a m pl e o f Par i t y Hot Spares Dedicated Hot Spare Disk RebuildsGlobal Hot Spare Scsi Drive States Hot SwapRebuild Rate Scsi drive states are listed in Table Enclosure Management Logical Drive StatesLogical drive states are listed in Table Ta b l e 2 3 . S C S I D r i v e S t a t e s RAID Levels Overview Perc 3 also supports independent drives configured as RAIDSelecting a RAID Level Tab l e 3 1 . R a I D Le v el s Does not provide fault tolerance. All data lost if any Fault toleranceRAID 0 provides high data throughput, especially for Large files. Any environment that does not require G u r e 3 1 . R a I D 0 a r r a y Displays an example of a RAID 0 array Ideal for any application that requires fault tolerance Environment that requires fault tolerance but smallUse RAID 1 for small databases or any other Capacity G u r e 3 2 . R a I D 1 a r r a y Requires fault tolerance. Use for any application that Office automation and online customer service thatRAID 5 provides high data throughput, especially for Large files. Use RAID 5 for transaction processing G u r e 3 3 . R a I D 5 a r r a y Displays an example of a RAID 5 array 2n, where n is greater than 1. The maximum number Any environment that requires a higher degree of faultRAID 10 works best for data storage that needs 100% Redundancy of mirrored arrays and that also needs G u r e 3 4 . R a I D 1 0 a r r a y High reliability, high request rates, and high data RAID 50 works best when used with data that requiresTransfer and medium to large capacity RAID 50 provides high data throughput, data G u r e 3 5 . R a I D 5 0 a r r a y Displays an example of a RAID 50 array Perc 3/SC Features Specification Feature Configuration FeaturesHardware Requirements Ta b l e 4 1 . C o nf i g u r a t i o n Fe at u r e s Ta b l e 4 1 . C on f i g u r a t i o n Fe at ur e s Configuration on Disk ConfigurationSmart Technology Array Performance Features Hardware Architecture FeaturesPerc 3/SC hardware architecture features are shown in Table Perc 3/SC array performance features are shown in Table Perc 3/SC fault tolerance features are shown in Table Perc 3/SC Fault Tolerance FeaturesSoftware Utilities Perc 3/SC software utilities are shown in Table Perc 3/SC specifications are shown in Table Perc 3/SC SpecificationsTa b l e 4 7 . P E R C 3 / S C Specification s Operating System Software Drivers Cache Memory PCI Bridge/CPU Serial Port Onboard SpeakerScsi Bus Scsi Termination Feature Description Perc 3 Bios Configuration UtilityScsi Firmware RAID Management Dell OpenManage Array Manager WebBIOS Configuration UtilityDell Manager Perc 3/DC and Perc 3/DCL Features MB Dimm Perc 3/DC Ta b l e 5 1 . C o nf i g u r a t i o n Fe at u r e s Configuration on Disk Fe a t u r es Lists the fault tolerance features Fault Tolerance FeaturesTa b l e 5 4 . a r r a y Pe r f o r m a nc e Fe at u r e s Ta b l e 5 5 . Fa u l t To l e r a n ce Fe at u r e s Lists the Perc 3/DC and Perc 3/DCL specifications Perc 3/DC and Perc 3/DCL SpecificationsLists the software utilities Ta b l e 5 6 . S o f t w a r e U t i l i t i e s PCI Bridge/CPU Perc 3/DC and Perc 3/DCL Bios Ta b l e 5 8 . S C S I F i r mw ar e RAID Management Perc 3/QC Features Ta b l e 6 1 . C o n f i g u r at i on Fe a t u r e s Lists the Perc 3/QC configuration features Smart Technology Lists the array performance features Lists the Perc 3/QC hardware architecture featuresS k Fe a t u r es Ta b l e 6 4 . a r r a y Pe r f o r m a n ce Fe at u r e s Software utilities are listed in Table Fault tolerance features are listed in TableTa b l e 6 4 . a r r a y Pe r f o r m a nc e Fe at u r e s Ta b l e 6 5 . Fa u l t To l e r a n ce Fe at u r e s Perc 3/QC specifications are listed in Table Perc 3/QC SpecificationsTa b l e 6 6 . S o f t w a r e U t i l i t i e s Ta b l e 6 7 . P E R C 3 / Q C S pe c i f i c a t i o n s Ta b l e 6 7 . P E R C 3 / Q C Pe c i f i c a t i o n s Perc 3/QC Bios Ta b l e 6 8 . S C S I F i r mw ar e Dell Manager Configuring Perc Current Configuration Configuring Scsi Physical DrivesDevice Description Scsi Channel Scsi ID Scsi ID Logical Logical Drive Configuration LD2 LD3 LD4 LD5 LD6 LD7 LD8 LD9 Channel Physical Device LayoutTa b l e 7 6 . P h y s i c al D ev i c e L a y o ut W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Ta b l e 7 6 . P h y s i c al D ev i c e L a y o ut Configuring Arrays Arranging Arrays Configuration StrategiesCreating Hot Spares Creating Logical Drives Maximizing Capacity Fault Tolerance ProtectionMaximizing Drive Availability Description Drives Capacity Level Required Maximizing Drive Performance Assigning RAID Levels Optimizing Data Storage Configuring Logical DrivesData Access Requirements Question Answer Planning the Array ConfigurationArray Functions Using the Array Configuration Planner Ta b l e 7 1 Random Array DeletionOverview 100 Configuration Module Perc 3/SC Hardware Installation Optional Equipment Requirements G u r e 8 1 . P E R C 3 / S C C a r d L a yo u t Installation StepsPerc 3/SC Card Layout License agreement Perc 3 configuration utilities diskette Power DownUnpack 104 Tab l e 8 1 . P E R C 3 / S C J u mp e r s J1 Termination EnableSet Jumpers J5 Serial Port J9 I2C Interface ConnectorTa b l e 8 3 . J9 N o u t J8 Hard Disk LED J10 Term PowerJ15 Rubi Slot Interrupt Steering Ta b l e 8 5 . J 8 H a r d D i s k L E D J16, J17 Rubi Slot Interrupt Steering Set Scsi TerminationG u r e 8 2 . E xa m pl e o f S C S I Te r m i n at i on 108 Selecting a Terminator Scsi TerminationTerminating Internal Scsi Disk Arrays 109 ID2 111 Install Perc 3/SCG u r e 8 4 . P C I S l o t s o n M o t h e r b o ar d 112 Connect Scsi Devices Connect Scsi CablesG u r e 8 6 . C o n n e ct i n g S C S I C a b l e s 113 114 Set Target IDsCable Suggestions Ta b l e 8 Tar g et Power On Host SystemPriority Highest Lowest 115 116 Run Perc 3 Bios Configuration Utility or WebBIOS UtilityInstall Operating System Software Drivers Perc 3/DC or Perc 3/DCL Hardware Installation Perc 3/DC or Perc 3/DCL Hardware Installation G u r e 9 1 . P E R C 3 / D C C a r d L a y ou t Perc 3/DC Card Layout G u r e 9 2 . P E R C 3 / D C L C ar d L ay o u t Perc 3/DCL Card Layout 121 Unpack the Perc 3/DC or Perc 3/DCLTa b l e 9 1 . J u mp e r S e t t i n g s J9 Onboard Bios Enable J2, and J3 Termination EnableJ9 Setting Onboard Bios Status Jumper J13 Dirty Cache LED J10 Nvram ClearJ11 Serial Port J14 Scsi Activity LED J16 and J18 Termpwr EnableTab l e 9 6 . J 1 3 D i r t y C ac h e L E D P i n ou t Ta b l e 9 7 . J1 4 S C S I a c t i v i t y P i n o u t J17 is a 4-pin header. -9 displays the J17 pinout J17 I2C ConnectorTa b l e 9 9 . J 1 7 I 2 C C o n n e ct or P i n o u t 125 126 Install the Perc 3/DC or Perc 3/DCL Controller 127 128 Select and Set Target IDs for Scsi Devices 129 130 Using Driver 5.22.1 or 5.22.2 and Firmware 161J or 161N Install Operating System Software DriverUsing Driver 5.30 and Firmware Proceed to the Windows Device Manager 132 C T I O N 1 Perc 3/QC Hardware Installation 134 G u r e 1 0 1 . P E R C 3 / Q C C a r d L a yo u t Perc 3/QC Card Layout Unpack the Perc 3/QC Controller License agreement Perc 3/QC Configuration Utilities diskette 137 Ta b l e 1 0 1 . P E R C 3 / Q C J u m p er S et t i n g s J9, J10, J11, and J12 Termpwr Enable J2, J3, J5, and J7 Termination EnableJumper Term Settings Power Channel 138 J17 Dirty Cache LED J19 Onboard Bios EnableJ14 Serial Port J19 Setting Onboard Bios Status J23 External BatteryTab l e 140 141 G u r e 1 0 3 . E x a mp l e o f Te r m i n at i o n 142 143 Install Perc 3/QCG u r e 1 0 5 . P C I S l o t s o n M o t h e r b o ar d 144 145 G u r e 1 0 7 . C o n n e ct i n g S C S I C a b l e s 146 147 Install Operating System Driver Perc 3/QC Hardware Installation Perc 3 Bios Configuration Utility Select Configure Menu-View/Add Configuration Configuration On DiskStarting the Perc 3 Bios Configuration Utility Option Description Bios Configuration Utility Menu Options 152 Configure Menu Objects Menu Initialize MenuAdapter Ta b l e 1 1 3 . a d ap t er M en u O p t i on s 154 Logical Drive Cluster Mode and the Initiator IDVirtual Sizing Ta b l e 1 1 Log i c a l D r i v e M en u O p t i o ns 156 Select Enabled to enable Virtual SizingPhysical Drive Channel Battery InformationTa b l e 1 1 6 . S C S I C h an n e l M e nu O pt i o n s Menu Item Explanation Select Reset Battery Charge Counter Reset Battery Charge CounterFormat Menu Rebuild Menu Check Consistency Menu Configuring Arrays and Logical Drives New Configuration Choosing the Configuration MethodEasy Configuration Perc 3/QC and Perc 3/DC Default Settings View/Add ConfigurationPerc 3/SC and Perc 3/DCL Default Settings Displays the default settings for Perc 3/QC and Perc 3/DC Using the Objects-Physical Drive menu Reserved Disk Space during ConfigurationDesignating Drives as Hot Spares Press F4 Using Easy Configuration 164 165 Set the Stripe Size from the Advanced Menu 166 Set the Write Policy from the Advanced MenuSet the Read Policy from the Advanced Menu Choose Configure-New Configuration from the Management Menu Using New Configuration 168 169 170 Set the Write Policy Set the Stripe SizeSet the Read Policy 171 172 Set the Cache Policy Using View/Add Configuration 174 175 176 177 Batch Initialization Initializing Logical Drives Individual Initialization Deleting Logical Drives Random Array Deletion Formatting Physical Drives Media ErrorsFormatting Drives Select Objects-Physical Drives from the Management Menu Batch Formatting Physical Drive action menu for a physical driveSelect Format from the Management Menu Individual Formatting Rebuilding Failed Disk Drives Manual Rebuild Batch ModeManual Rebuild Rebuilding an Individual Drive Choose Rebuild from the Management Menu Select Configure-Easy Configuration Using a Pre-loaded Scsi Drive As-is Setting Hardware Termination Exiting the Perc 3 Bios Configuration Utility Clustering Cluster ModeEnabling and Disabling the Cluster Mode 186 Select Objects-Adapter-Cluster Mode Select Enable or Disable Dell Manager Type this Starting Dell ManagerFirst Dell Manager screen displays the Management Menu Management Menu Options Using Dell Manager in Red Hat Linux GUI ModeDisplays the options for the Dell Manager Management Menu Ta b l e 1 2 2 . M a na g e me n t M e n u O p t i o n s Ta b l e 1 2 3 . a d ap t er M en u O p t i on s Dell Manager Menu Options Parameter Setting Logical Drive SettingsTa b l e 1 2 3 . a d ap t er Me n u O p t i on s 191 Displays the options in the physical drive menu Physical Drive MenuTab l e 1 2 192 Scsi Channel Battery BackupTa b l e 1 2 7 . S C S I C h an n e l O p t i on s Ta b l e 1 2 8 . B a t t er y B a ck u p M e n u I t e m s 194 Reconstruct Menu Parameters Initializing Logical Drives Select Objects-Logical Drive Perform the following steps to initialize one logical drive Select Physical Drive-Objects Choose Objects-Logical Drive. The logical drives display Select Objects-Physical Drive on the Management Menu Choose Format on the Management Menu Ta b l e 1 2 Re b u i l d Typ e s Perform the following steps to rebuild one drive Perform the following steps to rebuild more than one drive Exiting Dell Manager Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g Problem Suggested Solution Message Problem Suggested Solution Bios Boot Error MessagesTa b l e 1 3 2 . B I O S B o ot Error M e s s a ge s 206 View/Add Configuration 207 Ta b l e 1 3 3 . O t h er B I O S Error Me s s a g e s Other Bios Error MessagesExplains the other Bios error messages that can display Describes other items that might cause problems Other Potential ProblemsTa b l e 1 3 4 . O t h e r Po t e n t i a l P r o b l e ms Topic Information Tone Pattern Meaning Examples Audible WarningsTa b l e 1 3 5 . a u di bl e Wa r n i n g s Appendix a Scsi Cables and Connectors Appendix a Scsi Cables and Connectors Appendix B Warranties and Return Policy 214 One-Year Limited Warranty U.S. Only 215 216 Two-Year Limited Warranty U.S. Only 217 Limited Warranty Coverage During Year One 218 Limited Warranty Coverage During Year Two 219 General Provisions 220 Three-Year Limited Warranty U.S. Only 221 Limited Warranty Coverage During Years Two and Three 222 223 Four-Year Limited Warranty U.S. Only 224 Limited Warranty Coverage During Years Two, Three, and Four 225 226 One-Year Limited Warranty Canada Only 227 228 Two-Year Limited Warranty Canada Only 229 230 231 Three-Year Limited Warranty Canada Only 232 233 234 Total Satisfaction Return Policy U.S. Only Exclusions GuaranteeMaking a Claim 235 Dell World Trade LP Limitation and Statutory RightsDell Computer de Colombia Corporation Carrera 7 #115-33 Oficina Bogota, Colombia 237 Glossary 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 Gl ossar y 247 D ex 248 249 250 Page 5C229 Rev. A04

RAID 50 works best when used with data that requires

high reliability, high request rates, and high data

transfer and medium to large capacity.

RAID 50 provides high data throughput, data

redundancy, and very good performance.

Requires 2 to 4 times as many parity drives as RAID 5.

Drives

6 to 256 (Eight arrays x 32 stripes = 256 drives)