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jtrotto

7 Posts

297775

February 27th, 2014 11:00

Help me confirm my new server's RAID 5 is setup correctly. PowerEdge T620, Server 2012

I just got my new Dell T620 Server today, I ordered it with (4) 2TB hard drives in RAID5

I also configured it with an 80GB OS partition when I bought it.

Got it today, and I am a bit confused how its showing the hard drives.

I have the 80GB OS Partition, shows as volume C:  which is good.

Then I have four other volumes...

D: 1.8TB  DataPart2
E: 1.8TB  DataPart3
F: 57.9GB  DataPart4
G: 1.72TB  DataPart1

I know that I can go into the Server 2012 settings under File and Storage and join them in a Storage Pool and it should show as one drive letter then, correct?

But, is that the way I should do this? And how do I confirm that RAID5 is actually working, so that if a drive fails one day, I can simply swap it out like I should be able to.

I just figured that if I ordered the server with 4 drives in RAID5, and told it to do an 80GB OS partition, that when I got the server I would have one volume for the OS, and one for data.

theflash1932

11 Legend

 • 

16.3K Posts

February 27th, 2014 12:00

Ok ... explanation:

  • Every RAID array/virtual disk managed by the RAID controller is presented to Windows as a separate "disk".
  • Windows cannot use a "disk" larger than 2TB, unless it is a GPT disk.
  • Windows cannot BOOT to a GPT disk unless it is installed on a UEFI-enabled system.

By not selecting a GPT/UEFI option, it would have been necessary to create virtual disks (at least the boot VD) smaller than 2TB so that Windows could use and boot to it (why they made additional smaller VD's, I'm not sure). 

At this point, you have four options:

1) Live with it as is (I personally would not).

2) Won't require reinstall:

  • Use the 1.8TB VD0 as the OS "disk"
  • Delete VD's 1,2,3
  • Create one large 3.7GB VD1
  • Convert to GPT and use as a separate data "disk" that you can partition as needed/desired

3) Will require reinstall:

  • Delete ALL VD's
  • Switch boot mode to UEFI
  • Configure one large 6TB VD0
  • Then reinstall Windows on it and partition as needed/desired.

4) Will require reinstall or backup/restore:

  • Delete ALL VD's
  • Leave boot mode in BIOS
  • Configure one small 80GB VD0 to which you will install the OS
  • Configure one large VD1
  • Convert to GPT and use as a separate data "disk" that you can partition as needed/desired.

theflash1932

11 Legend

 • 

16.3K Posts

February 27th, 2014 11:00

Did YOU create all the partitions, or did Dell?

Open OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) - there should be a link on your Desktop (or open IE to https://localhost:1311/).  Go to Storage, PERC, Virtual Disks.  How many virtual disks do you have?

Don't do anything with Storage Pools yet.

jtrotto

7 Posts

February 27th, 2014 11:00

This is how it arrived from Dell, I only picked those settings when I ordered it.

I pressed Ctrl+R during bootup and this is what my PERC H710P screen says.

http://jtice.smugmug.com/MiscPhotos/IndustrialResourcesInc/i-4ddbpCK/0/XL/20140227_144810-XL.jpg

theflash1932

11 Legend

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16.3K Posts

February 27th, 2014 12:00

Typically, all servers installed by Dell will have OMSA installed ... if it is not installed, you can install it.

theflash1932

11 Legend

 • 

16.3K Posts

February 27th, 2014 12:00

1.8TB - for MOST people and uses - probably is overkill for the OS partition/disk, but that's what the configuration option calls for.  The only thing that is puzzling to me is why they created so many VD's ... it really only needed two (and the first one would have been 1.8TB).

In the future, I would strongly recommend going through a Sales Rep ... for two reasons:  1) You can request exactly the configuration options you want, not being limited to the few choices available in the online configurator, and 2) you will usually get a better price - anywhere from 5-20% less than the online price.

Reinstalling the OS and reconfiguring RAID is no big deal.  You have two options:  easy and easier.

Easy - Manual Install

  • Boot to CTRL-R
  • Delete VD's
  • Create/Initialize VD's
  • Boot to Windows DVD
  • Install Windows (15 minutes)
  • Install drivers - available at support.dell.com (Service Tag driver search does not always work properly) - start with the chipset drivers

Easier - Installation Utility

  • Boot to SMTD
  • Walk through RAID creation and OS configuration options/wizards
  • Install 2012 media when prompted

SMTD stands for Systems Management Tools and Documentation - it is the installation utility for PowerEdge servers from Dell.
You can also use the built-in Lifecycle controller to assist with the OS installation.
SMTD will install all needed drivers during the installation. 
If you have 2012 R2, SMTD/LLC is not an option [yet].

 

jtrotto

7 Posts

February 27th, 2014 12:00

Thanks alot for the help.

This is pretty ridiculous though, I dish out this kinda money on a server, only to have to do a fresh install myself just to make sure its right???

I would prefer one 80GB partition for the OS and the rest as data, (the way I ordered it)

Setting up the OS partition as 1.8TB is a waste of the space really.

I am alittle afraid to do a fresh install, I am sure there are a ton of drivers, etc, for this server.
Which I do not have disks for, would going to Dells site and entering the service tag make it display the correct drivers needed?

jtrotto

7 Posts

February 27th, 2014 12:00

It looks like OSMA is not installed, I cant find it anywhere, and going to that URL does not work.

Above I posted a link to a screenshot of the RAID controller settings I found by pressing Ctrl+R during bootup.

jtrotto

7 Posts

February 27th, 2014 15:00

Thanks for the help, ended up configuring it the way I wanted and did a fresh reinstall of the OS.

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