Configuration Strategies, Arranging Arrays | Dell 3 manual

Arranging Arrays

You must arrange the arrays to provide additional organization for the drive array. You must arrange arrays so that you can create system drives that can function as boot devices.

You can sequentially arrange arrays with an identical number of drives so that the drives in the group are spanned. Spanned drives can be treated as one large drive. Data can be striped across multiple arrays as one logical drive.

You can create spanned drives using the PERC 3 BIOS Configuration Utility.

Creating Hot Spares

Any drive that is present, formatted, and initialized but is not included in an array or logical drive can be designated as a hot spare.

You can designate drives as hot spares using the PERC 3 BIOS Configuration Utility.

Creating Logical Drives

Logical drives are arrays or spanned arrays that are presented to the operating system. You must create one or more logical drives. The logical drive capacity must include all of the disk space in an array. If an array with drives with mixed sizes, the smallest common size is used and larger disk drives are truncated. The logical drive capacity can also be larger than an array by using spanning. PERC 3 supports up to 40 logical drives.

Configuration Strategies

The most important factors in RAID array configuration are:

•Drive capacity

•Drive availability (fault tolerance)

•Drive performance

You cannot configure a logical drive that optimizes all three factors, but it is easy to choose a logical drive configuration that maximizes one factor at the expense of the other two.

Configuring PERC 3

93

Image 95

Dell 3 manual Configuration Strategies, Arranging Arrays, Creating Hot Spares, Creating Logical Drives

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 131 118119 120 150 135136 173 Enabling and Disabling the Cluster Mode 185163 167 197 190Designating Drives as Hot Spares 195 196 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 Logical Drive Components and FeaturesFault Tolerance Physical Array 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 Ta b l e 2 2 . Ty pe s o f Par i t y Describes how to configure RAID 10 and RAID 50 by spanningSpanning for RAID 10 or RAID Parity 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 are listed in Table Hot SwapScsi Drive States Rebuild Rate Ta b l e 2 3 . S C S I D r i v e S t a t e s Logical Drive StatesEnclosure Management Logical drive states are listed in Table RAID Levels Tab l e 3 1 . R a I D Le v el s Perc 3 also supports independent drives configured as RAIDOverview Selecting a RAID Level Large files. Any environment that does not require Fault toleranceDoes not provide fault tolerance. All data lost if any RAID 0 provides high data throughput, especially for G u r e 3 1 . R a I D 0 a r r a y Displays an example of a RAID 0 array Capacity Environment that requires fault tolerance but smallIdeal for any application that requires fault tolerance Use RAID 1 for small databases or any other G u r e 3 2 . R a I D 1 a r r a y Large files. Use RAID 5 for transaction processing Office automation and online customer service thatRequires fault tolerance. Use for any application that RAID 5 provides high data throughput, especially for G u r e 3 3 . R a I D 5 a r r a y Displays an example of a RAID 5 array Redundancy of mirrored arrays and that also needs Any environment that requires a higher degree of fault2n, where n is greater than 1. The maximum number RAID 10 works best for data storage that needs 100% G u r e 3 4 . R a I D 1 0 a r r a y RAID 50 provides high data throughput, data RAID 50 works best when used with data that requiresHigh reliability, high request rates, and high data Transfer and medium to large capacity 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 Ta b l e 4 1 . C o nf i g u r a t i o n Fe at u r e s Configuration FeaturesSpecification Feature Hardware Requirements 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 Perc 3/SC array performance features are shown in Table Hardware Architecture FeaturesArray Performance Features Perc 3/SC hardware architecture features are shown in Table Perc 3/SC software utilities are shown in Table Perc 3/SC Fault Tolerance FeaturesPerc 3/SC fault tolerance features are shown in Table Software Utilities Operating System Software Drivers Perc 3/SC SpecificationsPerc 3/SC specifications are shown in Table Ta b l e 4 7 . P E R C 3 / S C Specification s Cache Memory PCI Bridge/CPU Scsi Termination Onboard SpeakerSerial Port Scsi Bus RAID Management Perc 3 Bios Configuration UtilityFeature Description Scsi Firmware 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 Ta b l e 5 5 . Fa u l t To l e r a n ce Fe at u r e s Fault Tolerance FeaturesLists the fault tolerance features Ta 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 6 . S o f t w a r e U t i l i t i e s Perc 3/DC and Perc 3/DCL SpecificationsLists the Perc 3/DC and Perc 3/DCL specifications Lists the software utilities 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 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 Lists the Perc 3/QC hardware architecture featuresLists the array performance features S k Fe a t u r es Ta b l e 6 5 . Fa u l t To l e r a n ce Fe at u r e s Fault tolerance features are listed in TableSoftware utilities are listed in Table Ta 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 7 . P E R C 3 / Q C S pe c i f i c a t i o n s Perc 3/QC SpecificationsPerc 3/QC specifications are listed in Table Ta 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 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 Scsi Channel Configuring Scsi Physical DrivesCurrent Configuration Device Description 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 Creating Logical Drives Configuration StrategiesArranging Arrays Creating Hot Spares Description Drives Capacity Level Required Fault Tolerance ProtectionMaximizing Capacity Maximizing Drive Availability 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 104 Power DownLicense agreement Perc 3 configuration utilities diskette Unpack Tab l e 8 1 . P E R C 3 / S C J u mp e r s J1 Termination EnableSet Jumpers N o u t J9 I2C Interface ConnectorJ5 Serial Port Ta b l e 8 3 . J9 Ta b l e 8 5 . J 8 H a r d D i s k L E D J10 Term PowerJ8 Hard Disk LED J15 Rubi Slot Interrupt Steering 108 Set Scsi TerminationJ16, J17 Rubi Slot Interrupt Steering G u r e 8 2 . E xa m pl e o f S C S I Te r m i n at i on 109 Scsi TerminationSelecting a Terminator Terminating Internal Scsi Disk Arrays 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 112 113 Connect Scsi CablesConnect Scsi Devices G u r e 8 6 . C o n n e ct i n g S C S I C a b l e s 114 Set Target IDsCable Suggestions 115 Power On Host SystemTa b l e 8 Tar g et Priority Highest Lowest 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 Jumper J2, and J3 Termination EnableJ9 Onboard Bios Enable J9 Setting Onboard Bios Status J13 Dirty Cache LED J10 Nvram ClearJ11 Serial Port 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 J16 and J18 Termpwr EnableJ14 Scsi Activity LED Tab l e 9 6 . J 1 3 D i r t y C ac h e L E D P i n ou t 125 J17 I2C ConnectorJ17 is a 4-pin header. -9 displays the J17 pinout Ta b l e 9 9 . J 1 7 I 2 C C o n n e ct or P i n o u t 126 Install the Perc 3/DC or Perc 3/DCL Controller 127 128 Select and Set Target IDs for Scsi Devices 129 130 Proceed to the Windows Device Manager Install Operating System Software DriverUsing Driver 5.22.1 or 5.22.2 and Firmware 161J or 161N Using Driver 5.30 and Firmware 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 138 J2, J3, J5, and J7 Termination EnableJ9, J10, J11, and J12 Termpwr Enable Jumper Term Settings Power Channel J17 Dirty Cache LED J19 Onboard Bios EnableJ14 Serial Port 140 J23 External BatteryJ19 Setting Onboard Bios Status Tab l e 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 Ta b l e 1 1 3 . a d ap t er M en u O p t i on s Initialize MenuObjects Menu Adapter 154 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 Cluster Mode and the Initiator IDLogical Drive Virtual Sizing 156 Select Enabled to enable Virtual SizingPhysical Drive Menu Item Explanation Battery InformationChannel Ta 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 Rebuild Menu Reset Battery Charge CounterSelect Reset Battery Charge Counter Format Menu Check Consistency Menu Configuring Arrays and Logical Drives New Configuration Choosing the Configuration MethodEasy Configuration Displays the default settings for Perc 3/QC and Perc 3/DC View/Add ConfigurationPerc 3/QC and Perc 3/DC Default Settings Perc 3/SC and Perc 3/DCL Default Settings Press F4 Reserved Disk Space during ConfigurationUsing the Objects-Physical Drive menu Designating Drives as Hot Spares 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 168 169 170 171 Set the Stripe SizeSet the Write Policy Set the Read Policy 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 Select Objects-Physical Drives from the Management Menu Media ErrorsFormatting Physical Drives Formatting Drives Individual Formatting Physical Drive action menu for a physical driveBatch Formatting Select Format from the Management Menu Choose Rebuild from the Management Menu Manual Rebuild Batch ModeRebuilding Failed Disk Drives Manual Rebuild Rebuilding an Individual Drive 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 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 Using Dell Manager in Red Hat Linux GUI ModeManagement Menu Options Displays the options for the Dell Manager Management Menu 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 191 Logical Drive SettingsParameter Setting Ta b l e 1 2 3 . a d ap t er Me n u O p t i on s 192 Physical Drive MenuDisplays the options in the physical drive menu Tab l e 1 2 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 Battery BackupScsi Channel Ta b l e 1 2 7 . S C S I C h an n e l O p t i on 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 Topic Information Other Potential ProblemsDescribes other items that might cause problems Ta 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 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 235 GuaranteeExclusions Making a Claim Carrera 7 #115-33 Oficina Bogota, Colombia Limitation and Statutory RightsDell World Trade LP Dell Computer de Colombia Corporation 237 Glossary 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 Gl ossar y 247 D ex 248 249 250 Page 5C229 Rev. A04