Raid setup

How to configure Raid in the BIOS

Dell R510

Target configuration for databases (from Raid and MegaCli):

• raid-10
• 256k stripe
• writeback cache
• no read ahead

To completely nuke the existing raid and start over...

• follow instructions in Build a new server to get into the BIOS (powercycle the server, console com2, etc.)
• hit CTRL-R when prompted to enter the RAID controller setup (PERC H800 Integrated BIOS Configuration Utility 2.02-0025)
• delete the existing RAID set
  • cursor over the Disk Group line, hit F2
  • scroll down to 'Delete Disk Group'
  • say "Yes" to the "Are you sure?" question. (tab to Yes, hit enter)
• create a new RAID set
  • select the 'No Configuration Present' line, hit enter
  • set RAID level to 10
  • leave PD per Span at 2
  • select all Physical Disks (space bar to X each one)
  • leave VD Size alone
  • set VD Name to 'allr10' or something useful.
  • select Advanced Settings
  • set Strip Element Size to 256KB
  • set Read Policy to No Read Ahead
  • set Write Policy to Write Back
  • check Initialize
  • choose OK
  • "Initialization will destroy data on the virtual disk. Are you sure?" choose OK
  • "Initialization finished" choose OK
• You should see "Spanned Disk Group: 0, Raid 10"
• You should see a single line under Virtual disks "Virtual Disk: 0, allr10, 11175.00GB" (or whatever size your disks are)
• hit 'esc' to exit
  • "Are you sure" choose OK
• You should see "Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to reboot"
• Hit Ctrl-\ to get out of console
• enter 'racadm serveraction powercycle' at the mgmt prompt to reboot