Mark!

Think i got it this time! I selected create virtual disk and created another raid 5 volume. It took me a couple of rebuilds but i get it this time! Thanks for the pointers.

 

Paul

Mark, check out the above link.

Hi Paul,

Do you have a 15Gb boot partition with the balance of free space on the array. Or, do you have a 15Gb array with the rest of the space on the hard drives unallocated?

If you need to create an array with the rest of the free hard drive space use this link:

If you need to create another partition on the free space in the array:

Thanks for using the Dell Community Forums!

Hi Mark

I created a 15Gb raid 5 array boot partition and i want to create a raid 5 volume with the rest of the unallocated space. I can't seem to do this in array manager.

 

Thanks

Hi Paul,

I am glad you got the array created. But I think there may be another problem. A picture is worth a thousand words, thanks. If you notice the Disks and Volume categories are missing from the left hand pane of Array Manager in your picture. The problem here could be 2 things, depending on the Operating System:

In either case I would recommend the latest firmware for the Perc 4/sc and the latest version of Array Manager:
LSI Logic PERC 4/DC, 4/SC, Firmware, v.3.28, A03
FileName:  PERC4FW-3.28-A03.exe [1 MB]
Release Date:  8/28/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?releaseid=R63120

Dell OpenManage Array Manager, NW, 2000, NT 4.0, v.3.4.0, A00
FileName:  am340A00.exe [36 MB]
Release Date:  4/3/2003
http://support.dell.com/FileLib/Format.aspx?ReleaseID=R56742

Array Manager, SNMP Patch, NW, Windows, v.3.2.x, 3.3.x and 3.4.x, A00
FileName:  snmpfx.exe [95 KB]
Release Date:  4/11/2003
http://support.dell.com/FileLib/Format.aspx?ReleaseID=R58475

Array Manager Documentation:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/software/smarrman/marb34/en/index.htm

If you are running Win2000 use the latest driver and un/re install Array Manager.

LSI Logic, Driver, Windows 2000, v.5.42, A01
CERC ATA 100, Perc 4/DC, 4/Di, 4/SC, 3/DC, 3/DCL, 3/QC, 3/SC
FileName:  PERC-CERC-W2K-5.42-A01.exe [120 KB]
Release Date:  8/28/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?releaseid=R63411

If you are running Win2003, you must use the Dell driver. Win2003 does have a driver native, but it is not compatible with Array Manager. When installing this driver, you may get a message indicating it is an older driver (it is), but just ignore the messages.

LSI Logic, Driver, Windows Server 2003, v.6.35.2.32, A02
CERC ATA 100, 4/DC, 4/Di, 4/SC, 3/DC, 3/DCL, 3/QC, 3/SC
FileName:  PERC-CERC-W2K3-6.35-A02.exe [124 KB]
Release Date:  8/28/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?releaseid=R63407

http://www.systemwise.co.uk/screen2.jpg

This is where i am. Is this still wrong? Would any other screen shots help?

Mark,

I updated the driver, told it was the same and asked if i wanted to continue, i said yes.

I updated the firmware, it replaced the current firmware which was the same version.

And i'm already using version 3.4.0 (build 532.3) of Array Manager. This installed itself after finishing off the operating system installation, which is 2003 server.

I have created the additional volume and it is "resynching". Once it has resynched, will it come up as the D drive?

Thanks

Mark,

What i'm trying to do is perfectly feasable and is not frowned upon is it? Is splitting up my array into 2 volumes a good practice or should i only have one volume per array?

Thanks again

I though what i was doing was ok. I know about the theory of RAID but i've never got to play with it.

I'm away home now as i'm a few hours ahead of you but will you let me know if you come up with a fix to view volumes and disks.

Cheers Mark

Paul

Hi Paul,

The Array Manager still does not look correct. In the left hand pane the second item is "Arrays". This is the physical hardware, The controler, hard disks and backplane.

There should be another category at the same level called "Volumes" which is the logical drive, or what the Operating System "thinks" is the hard drive.

There should also be another category called "Disks" which is the actual Operating System partitions or Drive letters you see in Windows Explorer.

The first graphic at this link shows all three and explains the concepts:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/software/smarrman/marb34/en/ch3_stor.htm#1030131

I am looking into what is the next step. I will get back to you ASAP.

Thanks

Paul,

I have found out the Array Manager simply does not work the same with Win2003 as it did with Win2000. The Array Manager is only used to create the arrays. The Volumes and Disks sections are no longer integrated into Array Manager.

To create the Operating System level partitions or volumes, use the Disk Management snap-in, just as you would in a non-raid system.

Note: The Dell specific driver I mentioned earlier are still required to use Array Manager.

Thanks

Aha, i see now.

 

This is how i origonally set it all up.

I inserted the Dell server assistant CD and booted into it. I selected to split the RAID 5 volume in 2 using the assistant, and used the 15GB partition to install the OS on. The assistant asked what OS i wanted to install and i chose 2003 server. I filled out the unattended install form and it did the rest. Once it booted into windows it asked for the systemws management CD, i put it in and it installed the array manager and the Open manager.

Thats it.

This is the first time i've set up a RAID array so i may have made a mistake somewhere, don't think so though. I didn't do anything apart from follow the wizard.

Cheers Mark.

Hi Paul,

What you are doing is perfectly acceptable, but is a matter of great discussion. Some people prefer 1 logical drive per array, others prefer to split the array.

In your case, the Operating System "thinks" you have 2 physical hard drives as this is what the Perc controller is allowing it to see. But in reality it is all running on the same 3 drives under the same controller, so there is no performance increase.