Two RAID arays on an xSeries 226 - Help!

[WorldBuilder]

Hello.

I have an IBM xSeries 226 server with the U320 controller. From the research I've gathered, it seems as though the controller IS dual channel (AIC-7902). I have (4) IBM 36.4GB HDD's in a RAID10 configuration. This is for my OS installation.

What I would like to do is add (2) more 300GB HDD's and place them in a separate RAID0 configuration so I can have one giant 600GB drive. To test (before I buy the (2) 300GB drives), I have (2) more 36.4GB drives in there, but I cannot seem to turn them into a separate RAID0 because they are on the same channel as the (4) in the RAID10.

So currently I have the RAID10 Array and two more singular drives. Basically, what I want to do is place the last two drives on channel B, not channel A. I cannot figure out how to do this, though. How do I put drives on channel B? Am I missing a part of some kind? Please let me know what I need to do to make this work. Thanks!

If more info is need, please let me know. Thanks a million!

Chris

 

[ibmtech65]

Yes more then likely you do have a dual channel card. BUT you only have a single channel backplane. Other words all your drives will be on the same channel. There is no way to split the backplane because it is a single channel backplane.

You would just have to create another raid array on the same channel as the other drives.

 

[WorldBuilder]

Thank you for the post. Single channel backplane, got it. You say I would just have to create another raid array on the same channel. I can't seem to do that, however... Could you tell me how, assuming it's possible, please? Thanks!

Oh, and... I've read in my documentation that I can add an external SCSI connector which would enable channel B and put it's connector in the back. Do you, by any chance know what part I will need from IBM to do that? I( like their products but their website is terrible and I can't for the life of me figure out what I need...

Many thanks,

Chris

 

[ibmtech65]

You need the serv raid manager CD. If you already have an OS get the application CD. If it is new setup get the support CD.

Search for serv-raid on the website.

 

[WorldBuilder]

I will search around, thanks! One thing, though, while I'm looking... Why do I need this CD now even though I did not need it to create the original array? Seems odd.

Thanks!

Chris

 

[ibmtech65]

How did you create the original array and what raid controller are you using?

 

[WorldBuilder]

It's built-in, I think it's an Adaptec AIC-7902. I built the array by going into the SCSISelect Utility screen (hitting CTRL+A on boot). But it won't allow me to create a second array!

 

[WorldBuilder]

OK, I'm in the utility now. All six dives in the server now are on AIC-7902 B.

Not AIC-7902 A. There are no drives found on "A". When I go into "Configure/View HostRAID setting" on "B", I see my Stripe/Mirror Array called Atlas. It is at 73GB and "optimal". It's 72GB because it's four 36.4 drives in a RAID 10. Two drives are striped then mirrored to two other drives.

I also see, in that same location, two more drives, ID's 4 & 5. They are 36GB each and their status is "free".

I cannot do anything to change any of these settings, however. The only option at the top of the screen that's available to me is "Spare".

 

[ibmtech65]

You have reach the limit of that controller. It will only do 1 raid 10 or raid 1.

 

[WorldBuilder]

Ah, OK.

Would the controller allow me to eliminate two of the drives in the RAID 10 array and make the remaining two a RAID 1 only, then also allow me to take two 300GB drives and place them in a separate RAID 0?

Would it let me do that?

Thanks!

 

[WorldBuilder]

One final thing if you please. Regarding my post immediately above, I actually tried to kill all current configurations and try to build what I describe above. Like I said, I'm in testing right now and don't care if everything gets wiped. But I can't even seem to delete anything or alter my configuration in any way. Huh?! Thanks for all your help!

 

[ibmtech65]

Not sure exactly how that controller will work but you want to look for either a restore to defaults or in managed arrays delete the array.

 

[WorldBuilder]

Hi there,

Thanks for the reply. Actually, two days ago I finally got it all worked out with the ServerGuide 7.4.16 Support CD, I was able to do everything I needed to.

I find it odd that you cannot do in regular HostRAID what you can with the support CD.

I was able to build a RAID 1 and then a separate RAID 0 when booting from that CD.

Chris