C H A P T E R  19

Overview

This part describes how to use the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility (ARCU) to configure and provision RAID arrays on systems equipped with disk controllers that use Adaptec-based Sun StorageTektrademark RAID capability.

The ARCU is a BIOS-level utility that is started by pressing Ctrl-A in response to a prompt while the system is starting. For details, see Running the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility.



Note - After making a change to a volume or drive (including hot-plug actions) while using the BIOS-based Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility (ARCU), a rescan of the drives is necessary to see the changes. This can be done using the Rescan Drives option or by simply navigating back to the ARCU main menu.



When to Use the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility

Adaptec-based controllers can be configured using either the ARCU, or using the Sun StorageTek RAID Manager, a graphical user interface (GUI)-based utility. However, the Sun StorageTek RAID Manager requires a functioning OS, and some tasks must be done before the OS is installed. For these tasks, you must use the ARCU.

The Sun StorageTek RAID Manager is described in the Sun StorageTek RAID Manager Software User’s Guide and the Uniform Command Line Interface User’s Guide.


OS Requirements and Limitations

On servers equipped with an Adaptec disk controller, all drives must be part of an array or a volume before they can be used by the BIOS or the OS. Adaptec controllers support single-drive volumes that can be used for drives that are not part of a RAID array. This is especially important to note when you add drives to a system.



Note - A volume is a single disk drive that is managed by the Adaptec disk controller but is not part of an array.


Chapter 21 provides procedures for creating volumes and arrays.

If you are going to include your boot drive in a RAID array, you must configure the array before installing your OS. For this, you must use the ARCU, as described in Chapter 20.


Understanding Hot-Plug Limitations and Conditions Within the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility

Hot-plugging of hard disk enclosures is not supported from within the Adaptec RAID Configuration utility. However, hot-plugging of SAS and SATA hard disk drives (HDDs) is supported, but only within hard disk enclosures and under the following conditions:



Note - Hot-plugging of hard disk drives is NOT supported during periods when the controller is performing actions on logical drives. These actions include building, rebuilding, or migrating RAID volumes.


Hot-Unplug Removal Conditions

Hot-unplug removal of HDDs is supported under the following conditions:

Hot-Plug Addition Conditions

Hot-plug add of HDDs is supported under the following conditions:

Hot-Unplug and Plug Replacement or Reinsertion Conditions

Hot unplug and plug replace/reinsert of HDDs is supported under the following conditions:

a. Remove the selected hard disk drive.

b. Complete a bus scan by using the Rescan Drives option in the ACU.

See Chapter 20 for details.

c. Confirm that the Disk Utility reports the correct configuration of attached target devices

d. Replace and reinsert the hard disk (either a new disk or the same disk) into the enclosure slot (either the same slot or another unused slot).

e. Complete a bus scan by using the Rescan Drives option in the ACU.

f. Confirm that the Disk Utility reports the correct configuration of attached target devices.