Reconfigure option not there for virtual disks

Question

I've recently added two more drives to our VM server and wanted to add them to the existing raid 5 array of three drives. Dell said this can be done using Open Manage (7.2) but after installing there is no reconfigure option on the drop down on the virtual disk. I've reported this to Dell but have yet to hear anything back.

Has anyone else experienced this or have a solution?

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

If you have a second VD, then you would not be able to do a reconfigure, regardless of whether the option appears in the dropdown or not.

This may have been a result of a configuration or a combination of configuration parameters you requested (without knowing its consequences - OS partition size, UEFI/BIOS, disk/RAID configuration using the online configurator) or it may have been an assumed or misunderstood configuration (if not specifically stated - if working with a Dell sales rep through email/chat/phone) ... either way, the only way to reconfigure is to delete the second VD, do the reconfigure, then configure VD1 again to restore to (or delete everything and configure a new single RAID 5 ... if you have BIOS mode (not UEFI) enabled, you cannot do this option without reinstalling in UEFI mode).

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

I'm afraid I don't see an issue then. The differing HDD firmware "should" not be a deal-breaker here (although they should be at the latest revision). 7.2 should be fine on a R620 (although 7.3 is the latest), the operation is supported on both OMSA and the H710, and the firmware should be fine for this.

The only thing left I can think of (aside from some one-off issue/glitch) is that you cannot reconfigure "sliced" arrays ... meaning there are multiple arrays across the same set of disks (for example, if you configured a VD small enough for the OS, then a second VD for data) ... a reconfigure is NOT supported in this situation and could be why it doesn't show up as an option (does the 'reconfigure' option appear grayed out or unable to select it - or is it simply not there at all?).

theflash1932 · Answer

I believe that OMSA for VMware is 'read-only', so you would need to use OMSA Live! to initiate the Reconfigure: http://linux.dell.com/files/openmanage-contributions/omsa-71-live/OMSA71-CentOS6-x86_64-LiveDVD.iso

harrisben · Answer

It's a PowerEdge R620 (purchased a few month ago), the controller is a PERC H710P Mini with firmware/drivers as follows:

Firmware Version 21.2.0-0007
Driver Version 6.801.05.00
Storport Driver Version 6.2.9200.16547

The 'new' drives are revision A08, whereas the existing drives are revision A09 and all from DELL and the same capacity (1TB each)

Edit: Sorry, I neglected to answer your other questions. I can only assume that OMSA 7.2 is supported because this is what a Dell Support person sent me. The documentation they also sent me only lists older controllers.

harrisben · Answer

Sorry, I should have been clearer. The system is running Hyper-V on Windows Server 2012.

harrisben · Answer

Yes it is installed on the host OS, and yes I tried using a local and domain admin account.

theflash1932 · Answer

What system is this?  Which controller?  Is 7.2 a supported version for this system?  Is your firmware out of date?

theflash1932 · Answer

Is OMSA installed in your HOST instance and being run as a local/domain admin (non-admin's cannot reconfigure - among other things)?

harrisben · Answer

There is a second virtual disk for the OS (pre-configured by Dell). If this is the reason why I can't do this I will be giving them a piece of my mind.

harrisben · Answer

You're a fount of information! The server is currently using BIOS, not UEFI. Well, I guess it's better to start all over again...

PowerEdge HDD/SCSI/RAID

Reconfigure option not there for virtual disks

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