Hi @Kyetech-John,

 

With any PERC, can they see the full 10 bay drives if all bays are filled? Do any extra cabling need to be included for the PERC to see the drives?

No extra cabling needed. Please refer to Figure 4. Cabling diagram—2.5-inch (x10) hard drive systems: https://dell.to/3TmFeec on the cables are involved. 

 

If I start with only 2 HDDs in the 10 bay system, can I add more HDDs later for more storage - up to 10 HDDs?

Yup, you can. 

 

Will all 10 drives in the 10 bays work at 12Gbps?

According to the user guide, yes the backplane is capable of handling 12Gbps: https://dell.to/3yLQWWs

 

Goal is to have the 10 bay drives for data storage. Can it boot into OS with other drives - IDSDM dual R1? Internal USB? Or other internal drives?

The server do support IDSDM, but I don't have any information that if the OS (OpenSuse) would be able to boot from it. It may need drivers, inclusive of internal usb too. It is recommended to use BOSS-S1 but, R630 do not support the card, hence, you may need to install the OS on your 10 disk storage. 

 

Is the dual IDSDM (128 or 256GB) R1 - software or hardware RAID? Do I need Dell SDs or will any other work?  If Dell SDs, please post PN?

DPN# 0M36C for 64GB SD, there is no 128GB or 256GB.

 

The other questions that I have not quoted, it seems you may need to engage Suse architect to find more information. They might need to check the drivers available to cater to the hardware that you are using, I do not have any source to it. 

 

Hopefully this clears out some of your doubts. 

 

Thanks Joey C;

Seems Dell only supports the IDSDM for VMware boot.

OK, if the IDSDM may not work for opensuse, then maybe I can install a pcie dual M.2 card with 2 x 64GB+ R1 drives.  This should work to boot the OS & keep the 10 bays for storage. Or if all else then put the opensuse OS on a USB thumb drive, install it on the internal USB port & boot to it.

 

Any thoughts.

 

 

Hi @Kyetech-John,

 

I can install a pcie dual M.2 card with 2 x 64GB+ R1 drives.

I did try to check previously for alternate solution. But R630 do not support our Dell BOSS-S1 card, hence I didn't recommend. But if you have some experience in PCIe dual M.2 card, please do share to the community if it is a success. 

 

Or if all else then put the opensuse OS on a USB thumb drive, install it on the internal USB port & boot to it.

I did think of that too. I do understand you wanted to fully use all the front drives as storage. 

 

If you have successfully done the configurations and worked, please do share your experiences.