Pre-Installation Requirements

Before you install the operating system:

Read the Microsoft Getting Started document that shipped with your operating system.

Ensure that your system has the latest BIOS, firmware, and driver updates. If required, download the latest BIOS, firmware, and driver updates from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.

Create a device driver media (diskette, USB drive, CD, or DVD).

Creating the Device Driver Media

Use one of the following two methods to create the device driver media.

Downloading Drivers From the Dell Systems Service and Diagnostic Tools Media

1Insert the Dell Systems Service and Diagnostics Tools media in a system. The Welcome to Dell Service and Diagnostic Utilities screen is displayed.

2Select your system model and operating system (Microsoft Windows Server 2008).

3Click Continue.

4From the list of drivers displayed, select the driver you require. Select the self-extracting zip file and click Run. Copy the driver to a diskette drive, CD, DVD, or USB drive. Repeat this step for all the drivers you require.

5During the operating system installation, use the media that you created with the Load Driver option to load mass storage drivers. For more information on reinstalling the operating system, see the relevant section for your operating system below.

Downloading Drivers From the Dell Support Website

1Go to support.dell.com.

2Select your line of business.

3Click Drivers and Downloads.

4Enter the service tag of your system in the Choose by Service Tag field or select your system’s model.

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Driver Installation

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Dell H710P Pre-Installation Requirements, Creating the Device Driver Media, Click Continue, Click Drivers and Downloads

H310, H710, H710P, H810 specifications

Dell offers a range of storage controller technologies, notably the H810, H710, H710P, and H310, which cater to different enterprise needs. These controllers are designed to support various storage configurations, enhancing overall system performance and reliability.

The Dell H810 is a high-performance PCIe 3.0 RAID controller that supports up to eight internal drives and is particularly suited for demanding workloads. It features advanced RAID levels including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, providing flexibility for various data protection strategies. The H810 also supports up to 32TB of storage capacity, making it suitable for environments that require substantial data management capabilities.

The H710 is another powerful RAID controller, widely recognized for its balance of performance and cost-efficiency. It features 1GB of cache memory, which aids in accelerating read and write operations. The H710 supports the same RAID levels as the H810 and allows for up to 512MB of non-volatile memory. This ensures data integrity even in the event of a power failure, making it reliable for critical applications.

The H710P is an enhanced version of the H710, with a significant upgrade in its cache capabilities. It offers 2GB of battery-backed cache memory, further enhancing data processing speeds and improving responsiveness. The H710P is ideal for intensive workloads and virtualization, where rapid access to data is essential. This controller also includes features such as RAID storage pooling, intelligent data tiering, and support for multiple virtual disks.

Finally, the H310 is a cost-effective option for small to medium-sized businesses or those with less demanding storage requirements. It offers similar RAID support as the higher-end controllers but operates with a simpler architecture. The H310 features 512MB of cache, providing sufficient performance for regular workloads without the additional complexities of more advanced controllers.

In summary, Dell's H810, H710, H710P, and H310 storage controllers each serve distinct purposes, providing various features, technologies, and performance characteristics tailored to different business needs. From high-capacity storage solutions to user-friendly setups, Dell’s offerings ensure that organizations can efficiently manage their data storage requirements.