Diagram of Dell server raid disk array Configuration

Recently, my instructor asked me to configure a Samba server for the new Dell r900 server in the lab, sharing Linux and Linux Files on two PCs in the lab, and sharing Windows and Linux Files.

However, when installing the server system, I am a newbie and have not installed any servers. Follow the instructions in the instruction manual to install the boot disk. The first step is to click "Server Settings" on the main interface, why is an error prompted? You can click "re-boot", but the problem still exists after clicking it. I don't know why. You may need to reconfigure the array. Some raid knowledge is collected as follows:

 

 

The disk array can be generated before or after the system is installed. The system will regard it as a (large) hard disk, which features fault tolerance and redundancy. The disk array can not only be added to a ready-made system, but also support capacity expansion. The method is also very simple. You only need to add a new hard disk and execute some simple commands, the system can utilize the new capacity in real time.

·Types and Applications of RAID
IDEAndSCSIIs two different interfaces of a computer. The former is generally used on a PC, and the latter is generally used on a PC.Server. Based on these two interfaces, raid is divided into two types:Type: Raid applications based on the IDE interface are called ide raid, while raid applications based on the SCSI interface are called SCSI raid.
Based on different architectures, raid can be divided:
● Software raid)
● Hardware raid)
● External RAID (external raid)

· SoftwareRaidIn many cases, it is included in the system and becomes a function, suchWindows,NetwareAndLinux. SoftwareRaidAll operations in are the responsibility of the central processor, so the utilization of system resources will be high, thus reducing the system performance. SoftwareRaidThere is no need to add any hardware device because it relies on your system-mainly the features of the central processor-to provide all ready-to-use resources.

· HardwareRaidUsuallyPCICard, you will see the processor and memory on this card. Because the processors on this card already provide everythingRaidThe required resources do not occupy system resources, which greatly improves the system performance. HardwareRaidYou can connect to a built-in hard drive, a hot-swappable backboard, or an external storage device. No matter what type of hard disk is connected, the control is inRaidCard, that is, it is controlled by the system. In the system, the hardwareRaid PCISecurity drivers are often required for cartoons.ProgramOtherwise, the system rejects the request.

· ExternalRaidIt is also a hardwareRaidThe difference is thatRaidThe card is not installed in the system, but in an external storage device. This external storage device is connected to the systemSCSICard. The system does not have anyRaidFunction, because it only has oneSCSICard; allRaidFunction will be moved to this external storage. The advantage is that external storage can often be connected to more hard disks without being affected by the size of the system chassis. Some advanced technologies, such as dual-host fault tolerance, require multiple servers to be connected to an external storage to provide Fault Tolerance capabilities.

·Configure a raid disk array

I. Why should I create a logical disk?
When the hard disk is connected to the array card (RAID), the operating system will not be able to directly see the physical hard disk, so you need to create one by one to be set to raid0, logical disks such as 1 and 5 (also called containers) can be correctly identified by the system.
Logical drive, container, or virtual drive all mean one thing. They are just different names of card dealers.

Ii. How to Create A Logical Disk
Use the configuration tool of the array card, that is, the BIOS of the array card. (It is generally used to create a container (adaptec array card)/logic drive (AMI/LSI array card) when the system is reinstalled or the operating system is not installed ).
Use the configuration tool software provided by a third party to manage the array card. Such as Dell array manager. (These software are used on servers that have installed operating systems)

3. correctly identify the model of your array card (this article uses Dell as an example, in fact, it is similar)
Identify your disk array controller (the disk array controller is optional. skip this step if you have not purchased a disk array Controller)

If you have an adaptec disk array controller (PERC 2, perc2/Si, perc3/Si, perc3/di), you will see the following information during system boot self-check:
Dell poweredge expandable RAID Controller 3/di, BIOS v2.7-X [Build XXXX] (c) 1998-2002 adaptec, Inc. all rights reserved. <press Ctrl + A for configuration Utility! >>>

If you have an AMI/LSI disk array controller (perc2/SC, perc2/DC, perc3/SC, perc3/DC, perc4/di, perc4/DC ), you will see the following information during system boot self-check:
Dell poweredge expandable RAID Controller bios x. XX Jun 26.2001 copyright (c) American megatrends Inc.
Press Ctrl + m to run Configuration Utility or press Ctrl + H for webbios

Or:

Poweredge expandable RAID Controller bios x. XX Feb 03,2003 copyright (c) LSI logic Corp.
Press Ctrl + m to run Configuration Utility or press Ctrl + H for webbios

Part 1: Create raid-perc2, perc2/Si, perc3/Si, perc3/di on the adaptec disk array Controller

Create a container (here we will focus on using the configuration tool of the array card itself to configure the perc2 card with four channels, so your array card may be slightly different from the Channel due to different reasons)

Note: Please back up data on your server in advance. The disk array configuration process will delete all data on your hard disk!

1) when the system prompts a message during self-check, press the "Ctrl + A" key at the same time:

2) enter the configuration program of the array card, and then select "container configuration Utility ".

3) Enter "container configuration Utility". At this time, you will select the "initialize drivers" option to initialize the new or container hard disk. (Note: Initially, the hard disk will delete all data on the current hard disk)

4) The RAID card channel and the hard disk connected to the channel appear in the window. You can use the "insert" key to select the hard disk to be initialized. Note the help prompt below the window.

5) after you select and press enter, the system key displays a warning. If you are sure, select "Y.

6) after hard disk initialization, you can create containers of the corresponding level (raid1, raid0, etc.) based on your needs. Here we take RAID5 as an example to illustrate how to create it. Select "create container" in the main menu and press Enter.

7) use the "insert" key to select the hard disk to be used to create the container to the list on the right. Press "enter ".

8) in the pop-up window, press enter to select the raid level and enter the volume label and size of the container. The others remain unchanged by default. Then select "done.

9) This is the system prompts that when the "Container" is not successfully completed "scrub", this "Container" does not have "redundancy" function.

10) in this case, you can select the corresponding container through the "manage containers" option and check that the "status" of this "Container" is "scrub ". When it changes to "OK ". The newly created iner has the redundancy function (if the container supports redundancy. scrub is a process that takes a long time. During the scrub process, you can exit the management interface and restart or install the operating system. during this period, the iner is not redundant)

11) containers is created. Use the "ESC" key to launch and restart the computer.

Part 2: Create a logical drive (Logical Disk) --- perc2/SC, perc2/DC, perc3/SC, perc3/DC, perc3/DCL on the AIM/LSI disk array controller, perc4 di/DC (slightly different, please read the following documents carefully)

* Note: Please back up the data on your server in advance. The disk array configuration process will delete all the data on your hard disk!

1) during the self-check, press <control> <m> when prompted to enter the raid configuration page.

2) If the server is in cluster mode, the following information is displayed: "press any key to continue ".

3) Select configure and press Enter.

4) to reconfigure a raid, select new configuration and press Enter.
If A Logical Disk already exists, select View/Add configuration and press Enter.
In this article, we will select "new configuration" as an example (Note: selecting new configuration will delete the configuration information on the original disk array)

5) Select Yes and press Enter.

6) press the Space key to select the hard disk to create the Logical Disk. When the last hard disk in the Logical Disk is selected, press the Enter key.

7) if only one logical disk is created, go to Step 8;
7-1) press the Space key to select the hard disk in the second Logical Disk.
7-2) when the last hard disk in the Logical Disk is selected, press the Enter key.
7-3) when you need to configure more logical disks, repeat steps 7.1 and 7.2 until all logical disks are created.

8) configure the Logical Disk by pressing F10.
If your array card type is perc4 di/DC, the following information is displayed. Otherwise, go directly to Step 11.

9) press the Space key to select the array.
Span-1 (span-1) appears in the array box. You can create multiple arrays and then select to interconnect them.

10) configure the Logical Disk according to F10.
11) Select the appropriate raid type, and accept the default values for others.
Note: Dell recommends allocating all array space to a logical disk.
Select accept and press Enter.

12) Repeat each Logical Disk, Select accept, and press Enter.

13) Press ESC to return, select Yes, and press Enter.

14) press any key to continue.

15) Initial Logical Disk (logical driver) (The created Logical Disk must be used after initialization)
Press ESC to return to the main menu, select initialize, and press Enter.

16) Select the Logical Disk to be initialized and press the Space key to accept the disk.

17) Select Yes and press Enter.

18) press any key to continue and restart the system. The raid configuration is complete.