Chapter 4: MegaRAID BIOS Configuration Utility

•When the disk Write Cache is ON, a write transaction is considered to be complete when all the data has been written to the disk cache. When disk Write Cache is OFF, the write transaction is complete only when the data has been written to the disk.

•When disk Read Ahead is ON, extra data is read sequentially ahead of the data that is actually requested and is stored in a cache. If the additional read-ahead data is then requested, it can be read faster from the cache than from the disk directly.

NOTE: When the disk Write Cache is ON, there is a danger that data could be lost if the power fails before the cached data is written to disk.

Follow these steps to view or change the virtual drive Write Cache or Read Ahead settings:

1.From the MANAGEMENT menu, select OBJECTS J VIRTUAL DRIVE J VIRTUAL DRIVE N J VIEW/UPDATE PARAMETERS.

2.Use the arrow key to move the cursor to DISK WC or READ AHEAD and press ENTER.

3.Use the arrow key to select OFF or ON for DISK WC (DWC) or READ AHEAD.

4.When you see the prompt, CHANGE DWC or CHANGE READ AHEAD, use the arrow

key to select OFF or ON, then press ENTER to change the cache setting.

The settings are changed for all virtual drives defined on the array.

4-4 Rebuilding a Drive

The MegaRAID BIOS CU enables you to rebuild a drive of a redundant array if the array has a failed drive. If the failed drive is still good (that is, if the drive is physically present and its size is greater than or equal to the defined size of the array) it will be rebuilt. If the drive is small, an error message will appear and the MegaRAID BIOS CU will not allow the drive to be rebuilt. A rebuild cannot be started on a failed drive if its size is even 1 byte smaller than the defined size of the array.

Rebuilding a Drive

Follow these steps to rebuild a drive:

1.Select REBUILD from the MANAGEMENT menu.

2.When the list of drives appears, highlight the FAIL drive that you want to rebuild and press the SPACEBAR to select it.

3.After selecting the physical drive, press F10 and select YES at the confirmation prompt.

The rebuild process begins, and a graph shows the progress of the rebuild until it is complete. Although the CU changes the disk drive state to REBUILD at this point, the change does not appear on the screen while the rebuild is in progress.

When rebuild is complete, the CU displays the message:

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SUPER MICRO Computer AOCS2308LL8E user manual Rebuilding a Drive
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AOCS2308LL8E specifications

Supermicro, a renowned leader in high-performance computing solutions, has introduced the AOC-S2308LL8E, a powerful SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) controller card designed to enhance storage performance and capability in enterprise systems. This cutting-edge controller provides exceptional functionality for organizations looking to handle large volumes of data efficiently.

The AOC-S2308LL8E features the LSI SAS2308 dual-core processor, which supports 12Gb/s data transfer rates, ensuring swift and reliable connections to storage devices. With its eight internal SAS/SATA ports, this controller card facilitates the connection of multiple drives, allowing for increased data throughput and redundancy, which are essential for critical applications such as database management and virtualization.

One of the standout characteristics of the AOC-S2308LL8E is its compatibility with both SAS and SATA drives. This flexibility allows organizations to choose between high-performance SAS drives or more economical SATA drives based on their specific storage requirements. The controller supports a wide array of RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, providing users with the ability to select configurations that enhance data integrity and availability.

Additionally, the card is designed with an advanced cache memory that optimizes data access times, further enhancing overall performance. The AOC-S2308LL8E also features a low-profile form factor, making it suitable for various server chassis configurations, even in space-constrained environments.

In terms of connectivity, the AOC-S2308LL8E is equipped with dual mini-SAS connectors, enabling seamless connectivity to multiple storage devices. With support for a high number of simultaneous I/O operations, this controller card is well-suited for tasks requiring substantial bandwidth, like large-scale data processing and analytics.

Moreover, Supermicro's AOC-S2308LL8E comes with robust management and monitoring features, ensuring that users can maintain optimal performance levels while responding proactively to any potential issues. Built-in support for advanced error recovery techniques helps guarantee data integrity, a feature critical in any enterprise setting.

To summarize, the Supermicro AOC-S2308LL8E is an ideal solution for businesses looking to enhance their storage capabilities. With its combination of high data transfer rates, RAID support, compatibility with various storage drive types, and advanced management features, the AOC-S2308LL8E stands out as a reliable choice for maximizing performance in demanding environments. Organizations investing in this controller will benefit from its efficiency, reliability, and scalability, crucial for future-proofing their IT infrastructure.
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