Dell power edge T620 RAID configuration and OS install Question

Question

Hello everyone,

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. My company recently purchased a new Dell T620 server and I'm the one assigned to get it running. Unfortunately, I don't have knowledge setting up a server with RAID5 configuration.

My question is, i'm following the directions from Dell that says to open the Lifecycle Controller, select deploy OS. Where I'm stuck is setting the Virtual Disk. This is my first RAID setup and I'm thinking the VD is what windows uses to read total disk space? We are running 3 - 1TB NLS 6.0gbps 7.2k RPM.

I know 1TB HDD shows as 930GB in windows. But for some reason it offers me a virtual disk up to 1800 GB? I think I have to set this to less then 930 gb?

I can give more details if needed. But currently, I am stuck on this part and do not want to proceed unless certain.

Thanks in advance!

Daniel My · Accepted Answer

Hello acslacker

All you need to do is choose RAID 5, select the 3 disks, and accept. It will automatically use all available space.

With your 3x1TB HDDs the maximum available space will be approximately 2TB. Some will disappear in the conversion to binary. This is why it is listing as 930GB instead of 1TB. In RAID 5 1 HDD is used for parity, so you will immediately lose 1TB. That space will not be displayed in the usable space. The 1.8TB that it is automatically listing sounds correct.

Thanks

acslacker · Answer

Hi Daniel,

Thank you so much for your prompt reply! This raid setup will be used for a MS SQL database server. Should I accept the 64k stripe element size? Or change it? How does this affect performance/speed?

acslacker · Answer

Hi Daniel, Thanks for the information about doing a RAID 10 config. I'll look into this and discuss this with my manangement. Have a great day!

Daniel My · Answer

Thank you so much for your prompt reply! This raid setup will be used for a MS SQL database server. Should I accept the 64k stripe element size? Or change it? How does this affect performance/speed?

That is a very complex question to answer. I would recommend leaving it on the default 64K stripe size. If you want to maximize performance on the server then you should create a RAID 10 instead of a RAID 5 and hire a consultant. You can read more about the stripe sizes here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd758814(v=sql.100).aspx

http://en.community.dell.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-components-postattachments/00-20-10-52-48/Dell_5F00_SQL_5F00_FastTrack_5F00_Whitepaper_5F00_R720XD_5F00_v2.pdf

Thanks

muhammadaminnaj · Answer

Hai everyone,

i'm having difficulties on how to raid the server. FYI, im using PowerEdge T620. I had bought 2T hard disk for upgrading purposes. Unfortunately, after completed installation, my server unable to detect my new hardisk. Can someone assist me on how to raid the server step by step until it will successful.

Thank You.

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Dell power edge T620 RAID configuration and OS install Question

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