Dell (PERC) S100, PERC S300 Overview

Overview

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Overview

Introduction

The Dell PowerEdge RAID Controller (PERC) S300 provides an integrated

software RAID solution for Dell PowerEdge Value Servers. The PERC S300

controllers support SAS and SATA interfaces. Containing two internal

connectors with four ports each, the PERC S300 adapter features

eight ports for connecting drives with a maximum burst speed of up to

3 Gbps per port.

The PERC S100 adaper is targeted as a low-cost RAID solution for Dell

PowerEdge Value Servers.The PERC S100 adapter solution supports SATA

Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid State Disk (SSD) drives. The PERC S100

adapter requires no additional hardware; it runs from the I/O Controller HUB

(ICH) or Platform Controller Hub (PCH) chipset on the platform

motherboard.

The PERC S100 adapter and PERC S300 adapter offer the same RAID level

support and functionality, including the support of up to eight physical

drives.

General Information, Intended Audience, and

Prerequisites for Use

This document provides information about:

•The

PERC S100 adapter

and PERC S300 adapter, including server,

operating system, and software support

• Controller configuration and startup procedures

• Controller operating modes

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Contents

Main Notes, Cautions, and Warnings NOTE: CAUTION: WARNING: ____________________ Contents 1 WARNING: Safety Instructions 4 Hardware Installation 3 Features 2Overview 5 Installing the Drivers 37 8 Appendix A 7 Troubleshooting 6 RAID Configuration and Management Page Page WARNING: Safety Instructions SAFETY: General SAFETY: When Working Inside Your System Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Page Overview Introduction General Information, Intended Audience, and Prerequisites for Use Related Documentation PERC S100 Adapter or PERC S300 Adapter Descriptions Supported Platforms Platform Requirements for the PERC S100 Controller and PERC S300 Controller Page Page About RAID Summary of RAID Levels RAID Terminology Disk Striping Disk Mirroring Spanned RAID Levels Parity Data Page Features General Features NOTE: Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Specifications Table3-2 compares the specifications of the PERC S100 adapter and PERC S300 adapter. Page Hardware Installation Before You Begin General Considerations Installing the PERC S300 Adapter Page Page Connect Physical Disks to the PERC S300 Adapter Complete the Hardware Installation Page Installing the Drivers Installing the Microsoft Windows Drivers Downloading the Controller Driver Media Pre-Installation Requirements for the Controller Drivers Page Page Page Page Page Page Performing the PERC S100 Controller or PERC S300 Controller Management Setup Procedure Page RAID Configuration and Management Configuring the Controller: Using the PERC Virtual Disk Management Utility Accessing the PERC Virtual Disk Management Utility Understanding the Text Colors in the PERC Virtual Disk Management Utility Initializing Physical Disks Creating Virtual Disks Page Deleting Virtual Disks Page Swapping Two Virtual Disks Managing Global Hot Spares Viewing Physical Disk Details Viewing Virtual Disk Details Rescanning Disks Controller Options Continuing to Boot Page Troubleshooting System Startup Problems Page Page Warning Messages: Dell Inc. PERC S100 Adapter or Dell Inc. PERC S300 Adapter BIOS Screen Page Page Page Page Page Virtual Disk-Related Errors NOTE: Use the information on the following tables as guidelines for troubleshooting the controller. Page Page Page Page Physical Disk-Related Errors Page A Appendix A Controller Specifications Read, Write, and Cache Policy Controller Tasks Physical Disk Tasks Virtual Dis k Tasks TableA-4 indicates the virtual disk tasks that are supported/not supported by the controllers. Supported RAID Levels Virtual Disk Specifications B Appendix B RAID Technology - Understanding Disk Arrays and Virtual Disks Understanding RAID Levels A PERC S100 controller or PERC S300 controller supports the following RAID levels: NOTE: Page Disk States - Virtual and Physical Disks Failure States Creating Virtual Disks: Future Expansion Understanding Physical Disks Dedicated Hot Spares Global Hot Spares C Appendix C Regulatory Notices FCC Notice (U.S. Only) FCC, Class A FCC, Class B Industry Canada Notice (Canada Only) Industry Canada, Class A Industry Canada, Class B CE Notice (European Union) Page Page D Appendix D Contacting Dell Page Index B C D E F G H I O P R S T V W warning messages Page Glossary