PE1855-PERC 4/IM-Array Manager/Logical Drives

Question

I want to be able to set the logical drives prior to loading Windows and NOT using OpenManage Array Manager, but that LSI Array manger tool that comes up when I do a CNTL-M. I can't seem to get anything expect a mirrored drive with one big logical drive using that tool I don't ever want to use the OpenManage Array manager within my Windows installations. I want to be able to set my two drives to RAID-1 and then partition them out into 2 Logical Volumes, so that when I load my Windows PE and it brings down my install image, I can select the Logical Drive to install the O/S (which will become C: after the install) and then when I go into Windows to manage my disk, I will see the other logical drive space and be able to create that as my D:\ dynamic disk.   Is this possible or am I stuck added yet more administrative software to my win o/s?   Message Edited by mrwillis on 01-08-2006 09:14 AM

lpprikej · Answer

Hmmm. I don't see the problem.
-Go into the config "Ctrl-M"
-Hit "enter" on the adapter (only one should be listed)
-Go to "Mirror Properties" (arrow Down once, "enter")
-Under mirrored pair, Set one drive as "Primary" and one as "Secondary" using "+".

Now in your post you said "expect a mirrored drive"
Now if you meant "EXCEPT" then that is correct, you can only do a Mirror which is RAID-1. And if you want to make more than one partition, why can't you do that with the windows install? I believe I have done it before.

Let us know if this helped.

Jason

mrwillis · Answer

Well sort of correct. Basically, I was looking for a 'pre-windows' Array Manager (a little more sophisticated that the CNTL-M for the PERC Controller). I can create a RAID-1 with my 2 73GB drives, that is not a problem. Unfortunately, that's all I can do. I cannot carve that RAID-1 into multiple partitions before I load my PE for Windows installation. Sure, the standard windows installation (or an exit from my PE before windows installation) will allow me to define the size of C:\ and after windows is loaded, I can create my did, but I really wanted to be able to set the striping at the partition level, not the drive level and also did not want to exit out of my PE environment I have created to define that partition size. Even so, I guess I'll just create yet another image in my PE environment to pre-size the Dell blade partition instead of doing it well before than like I can do with SmartStart on HP and the RAID management software I use for all my IBM's. This is pretty standard stuff, and to not have this tools seems a little strange is all.

mrwillis · Answer

Well, you did help by responding to this message. It's probablly more than Dell has helped me with. Thanks again!

lpprikej · Answer

I see what you mean. Well good luck. Wish I could have helped more. Jason

pcmeiners · Answer

The is no sophisticated GUI tool which you can start before the OS with Lsilogic based adapters. The adapter's bios based interface is it, other than a DOS based interface and command lines.

PowerEdge HDD/SCSI/RAID

PE1855-PERC 4/IM-Array Manager/Logical Drives

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