Configure Hardware RAID (Optional)

The following procedure describes how to configure hardware RAID on an unpartitioned set of disks before installing the Linux operating system. For more information about a hardware RAID, see Choose to Configure Hardware RAID.

To simplify these instructions, the following procedure describes how to create a Level-1 RAID configuration. Configuring a Level-0 RAID configuration is similar.

To perform this procedure, you will use the LSI Logic Configuration Utility.

Note

In the LSI Logic Configuration Utility, RAID Level-0 is known in the BIOS as IS Volume; and RAID Level-1 is known in the BIOS as IM Volume.

Before You Begin

Before you can configure hardware RAID for Linux, you must have already configured your site's installation environment:

  • Sun ILOM Remote Console. If you are performing the hardware RAID from the ILOM Remote Console application, you should have already launched the Remote Console , and configured the ILOM to redirect the KVMS from the server module to the system hosting the ILOM Remote Console application. For more information about configuring the Remote Console, see Use ILOM Remote Console to Remotely Manage a Server.

  • Local Console. If you are using a local console to perform the hardware RAID, you should have already set up the Sun Blade 8000 Series with a console, keyboard and mouse. For more information about attaching components to the Sun Blade Server Module, see Attach Cables and Devices and Powering-On System Chassis.

What to Do

  1. Reset the Sun Blade Server Module, for example:

    • From the ILOM web interface, select Reset on the Remote Power Control tab.

      or

    • Press the Power button (momentary, 1 second) on the front panel of the blade to turn off the blade, then press the Power button (momentary, 1 second) to turn on the blade.

    The BIOS screen appears. Watch for the LSI Logic Corp. screen.

    Watch for the prompt to press Ctrl-C.

  2. When the BIOS screen shows the LSI Logic Corp. message, press Ctrl-C to start the LSI Logic Configuration Utility.

    A message appears that the LSI Logic Configuration Utility is being invoked, then the LSI Logic MPT Setup Utility screen appears displaying the adapters.

  3. In the adapter list, select the SAS1064 adapter and press Enter.

    The Adapter Properties menu appears.

  4. In the Adapter Properties menu, select RAID Properties and press Enter.

    The Select New Array Type menu appears.

  5. In the Select New Array Type menu, select Create IM Volume and press Enter.

    The LSI Logic MPT Setup Utility - Create New Array menu appears.

  6. In the Create New Array menu , select Slot NUM 0 - RAID DISK NO by moving the right arrow key over the RAID Disk column, then press the spacebar to select the RAID Disk 0 for the array.

    The Create New Array options menu appears.

  7. In the Create New Array options menu, type D to overwrite any existing data.

    A warning message may appear stating that data found will be lost.

  8. If the Warning Message screen appears, press the spacebar to continue.

    The LSI Logic MPT Setup Utility - Create New Array menu appears, showing RAID Disk 0 as the primary.

  9. In the Create New Array menu, select the column for Slot NUM 1- RAID DISK (as shown in the following screen) and press the spacebar to select RAID Disk 1 for the array.

    The Create New Array warning screen may appear.

  10. If the Create New Array Warning screen appears, press the spacebar to continue.

  11. In the Create New Array menu, press C to create the array.

    Note

    Note that in the LSI Logic MPT Setup Utility - Create New Array menu that the RAID Disk 0 is set as the Primary and RAID Disk 1 is set as the Secondary.

    The Save Changes menu appears.

  12. In the Save Changes menu, select Save Changes and Exit this menu then press Enter.

    The following message appears, Processing may take a minute.

    The Adapter Properties menu appears.

  13. In the Adapter Properties menu, press Escape (Esc).

    The Adapter List menu appears.

  14. In the Adapter List menu, press Escape (Esc).

    The LSI Logic MPT Setup Utility Exit menu appears.

  15. In the LSI Logic MPT Setup Utility Exit menu, select Exit the Configuration Utility and Reboot then press Enter.

    After the system reboots, the system BIOS will detect a change in the Boot Device Priority List and display a message notifying you that the list of boot devices has changed.

  16. After completing the procedure, verify that the BIOS Boot Priority List is correct.

    For details, see Configure BIOS Settings for New Linux Installations.