When you define the virtual disks, you can set the following virtual disk parameters:

RAID level

Stripe element size

Read policy

Write policy

Type of initialization

Hot spare configuration

NOTE: The default hard drive cache policy for a virtual disk composed with SAS hard drives is disabled and with SATA hard drives is enabled. The Virtual Disk parameter can not be changed in the BIOS Configuration Utility (<Ctrl><R>). Use Dell OpenManage Storage Management for the hard drive cache setting operation.

Table 5-2 shows the parameters that you can configure when defining virtual disks.

Table 5-2. Virtual Disk Parameters and Descriptions

Parameter

Description

 

 

RAID Level

RAID Level specifies whether the virtual disk is RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10,

 

50, or 60. The number of disks, disk capacity, the requirements for

 

fault tolerance, performance, and capacity should be considered when

 

selecting the RAID level. For more information, see "Summary of

 

RAID Levels" on page 129.

 

 

Stripe

Stripe Element Size specifies the size of the segments written to each

Element Size

physical disk in a RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 virtual disk. You can

 

set the stripe element size to 64 KB, 128 KB, 256 KB, 512 KB, or 1024

 

KB. The default and recommended stripe element size is 64 KB.

 

A larger stripe element size provides better read performance if your

 

system mostly does sequential reads.

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Management Applications for PERC Cards

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Dell H710P, H310, H810 manual Virtual Disk Parameters and Descriptions, RAID Level

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.