PERC H310 for RAID1 array?

Hello.

The H710P controller offers better performance than the H310 controller. You do not need to have 2 controllers. H710P controller, including H310 can support multiple Virtual Disks (VDs). You can create a RAID 1 mirror for your OS and application and another RAID 10 VD for your data. This is perfectly supported.

Right. I must have been a bit confused with the two SAS connectors connecting the H710P to the backplane. I'm guessing then that I can use one connector from H710P to the backplane (to run an 8-disk RAID 10 array), and another from the 2nd port on the controller to the two separate disks I want to run as a mirror (RAID1)? (Note: these disks are not in the 8-bay enclosure/connected to the backplane; they are mounted in two of the 5.25" bays).

If that's the case, can you recommend the part number for the SAS to SATA connector I need to run that connection to those two drives?

What model of Dell server are you using? What back-plane configuration do you have?

Server is a T320, and has the 8 hot-swap 3.5" back-plane installed

I'm guessing then that I can use one connector from H710P to the backplane (to run an 8-disk RAID 10 array), and another from the 2nd port on the controller to the two separate disks I want to run as a mirror (RAID1)? (Note: these disks are not in the 8-bay enclosure/connected to the backplane; they are mounted in two of the 5.25" bays).

No, this cabling is not supported. The x8 3.5" back-plane uses a SAS cable to connect to the back-plane port on the motherboard; there is no connection via the controller card. You can set up your VDs within the x8 back-plane.

I'm sorry, but your answer directly contradicts the one you supplied to my original question.

I asked:

"I  initially replaced the H310 controller, in favour of an H710P, to control the 8-disk array I'll build (with 8 x 4Tb HGST enterprise disks most likely in a RAID10 array.

But I'd like to run the OS and apps from two 500Gb drives (installed in the two 5.25" extra bays) in a mirror, so I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that I'll need to source another controller to do this..."

I thought I'd made clear that I wanted to do up an 8 x 4Tb disk array in the 8 hot-swap bays, to hold data, and 2 x 500Gb disks - NOT PART OF THE ARRAY - to host the OS and apps. Now it "appears" as though you're saying that with my hardware this is not supported (hence your suggestion to use the 8 disks in the array as two separate arrays - 1 RAID1 and 1 RAID 10.

Just to be clear: The Dell T320 will NOT support the two extra disks I wish to use for the OS and applications? I must use only the 8 x 4Tb disks "split" into 1 x RAID 1 and 1 x RAID 10 array?

But I'd like to run the OS and apps from two 500Gb drives (installed in the two 5.25" extra bays) in a mirror, so I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that I'll need to source another controller to do this..."

The use of 2 controllers is not supported on this server

I thought I'd made clear that I wanted to do up an 8 x 4Tb disk array in the 8 hot-swap bays, to hold data, and 2 x 500Gb disks - NOT PART OF THE ARRAY - to host the OS and apps. Now it "appears" as though you're saying that with my hardware this is not supported (hence your suggestion to use the 8 disks in the array as two separate arrays - 1 RAID1 and 1 RAID 10.

You can not have the 2x 500 GB disks outside of the x8 disk back-plane, it is not supported. Yes, you can use only the 6 x 4Tb disks for your data in RAID 10 array and 2x 500 GB for OS and application on RAID 1 array within the same back-plane supported on a single H710P controller.

I hope this answers your questions.