Using the RAID Controller allows you to use hard disk drives in the device bays of the server and those in the optional expansion disk cabinet in the RAID System.
IMPORTANT:
Making hard disk drives in the RAID System or changing the RAID level initializes hard disk drives. If the hard disk drive to be
configured in the RAID System has your valuable data stored, make sure to make a backup copy of the data in another hard disk drive before installing the RAID Controller and configuring the RAID System.
More than one hard disk drive is required to configure a Logical Drive.
Use hard disk drives of the same capacity and performance (e.g., revolution) for each pack to configure them in the RAID System.
NOTES:
Make sure of RAID levels and hard disk drives available for the RAID Controller to choose an appropriate controller.
A Logical Drive except for RAID0 increases disk reliability.
However, the actually available capacity becomes smaller than the total hard disk drive capacity in the Logical Drive.
3.5-inch Disk Model
You can build a RAID System by using the Onboard RAID Controller (LSI Embedded MegaRAID) or optional RAID Controller (N8103-116/117).
Onboard RAID Controller (LSI Embedded MegaRAID) RAID Controller is factory embedded in your mother board.
By the shipping default, RAID System is set to "Enabled".
Optional RAID Controller (N8103-116/117)
Your server can include the optional RAID Controller (N8103-116/117). The optional RAID Controller can control the internal hard disk drives as the RAID System. To use the hard disk drives in a RAID System, reconnect the hard disk drive interface cable on the mother board.
At the factory, the interface cable is connected to the Mini SAS connector on the mother board.
Refer to the manual coming with optional RAID Controller (N8103-116/117) for details.
IMPORTANT: The RAID Controller board is extremely sensitive to static electricity. Make sure to touch the metal frame of the Server to discharge static electricity from your body before handling the RAID Controller. Do not touch the RAID Controller terminals or on-board parts by a bare hand or place the RAID Controller directly on the desk.
For static notes, see the section "Anti-static Measures" described earlier.
NOTE: Before installing an optional RAID Controller, run the SETUP utility, select [Advanced] → [PCI Configuration], and confirm that [Enabled] is set for the parameter [PCI Slot xx ROM] (xx: PCI slot number).
Installation
See "PCI Board" in this chapter and manual that comes with the optional RAID Controller for the installation of a RAID Controller (N8103-116/117).
IMPORTANT:
A riser card for low-profile PCI board differs from the one for full-height PCI board. Before installing a PCI board, make sure of the board specification.
Some RAID Controller has LED cable connector to be used for indication of disk access. However, this server is not equipped with LED cable connector.
To use internal hard disk drives in RAID System by connecting the RAID Controller to the full-height riser card, first connect the cable, then connect the riser card with mother board.
When the RAID Controller is connected, the boot priority specified in BIOS SETUP utility must be eighth or younger. If specified ninth or later, the configuration menu of RAID Controller will fail to start.
Setting Jumper Switch on Backplane
To use an optional RAID Controller (N8103-116/117), you need to change settings of jumper switch on backplane as shown in the figure below.
Removal
Remove the optional RAID Controller in reverse order of the installation steps.
When using the Onboard RAID Controller (LSI Embedded MegaRAID)
When using the optional RAID Controller (N8103-116/117)
2.5-inch Disk Model
To build a RAID System, use the Internal RAID Controller (equivalent to N8103-116).
The hard disk drive bays are connected to the Internal RAID Controller (equivalent to N8103-116) at the factory.
Standard Configuration
Use WebBIOS to configure the RAID System. See Chapter 4 for details.
Internal RAID Controller (equivalent to N8103-116)
Notice
Observe the following notes on configuring a RAID System:
The installed hard disk drives (SAS drives or SATA drives) must the same capacity and the same rotational speed. (The minimum number of required disks depends on the configuration of RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive [Independent] Disks).)
Select/set a RAID level "RAID0", "RAID1", "RAID5", or "RAID6".
When installing a system in an internal hard disk drive, you should use "Express Setup" to perform all the procedures for RAID System configuration, OS installation, and then OS setup.
Use Express Setup even when not installing a system. Start Express Setup, select [OS Selection] → [Others]. The installer automatically performs all the procedures for RAID System configuration, and then maintenance utility installation.
When making the setup in manual mode, use the RAID System configuration utility in the chip on the board. You can start the utility during execution of POST that automatically starts immediately after you turn on the server power switch. For details, see the online document in the NEC EXPRESSBUILDER DVD provided with the server. (The utility varies depending on the RAID Controller.) For details on the data transfer rate, RAID, and RAID System configuration, see the manual provided with the RAID Controller as well as the online document.
IMPORTANT: When N8103-116/117 is installed, do not let the system enter hibernation or standby mode.