Add SLED to server w/RAID 5

[Quidam]

Hello,

I need to add storage to a DELL PowerEdge 2500 WIN2K server that has a 3x9G RAID 5 array. I purchased a single 18G SCSI drive from DELL and slid it in. WIN2K did not see the new drive, even after a rescan and reboot.

Do I need to make changes to the BIOS or SCSI controller configurations for the drive to be recognized? Once its there, I think I can handle the formatting & partitioning.

Thanks for any assistance.

[ussenterprise]

Are you using onboard RAID or a PERC card?
If onboard, you need to initialize the drive.
Are you looking to add this drive to the RAID 5?
Look to install Array Manager.

[edit] Win2K wont see it. You need to either install Array Manager or reboot and go into the RAID BIOS and create a container for the drive[/edit]

[Quidam]

Hi ussenterprise,

Forgive me for quoting the spec sheet, but this issue exceeds my existing skill set.

The Primary Controller is a 'PERC3-DI 128MB, 2 channel Embedded RAID'.

I do not want the drive to be part of the RAID 5 array. I need a separate storage area for backups, transaction logs, etc. (this is a SQL server).

Is the RAID BIOS one of the choices I will see during the reboot process, like the regular BIOS setup?

Thanks for your rapid attention.

[ussenterprise]

Yes. <CTL>+A will get you into that controller.
From there, go to container configuration utility.
From there select intialize drives.
Make SURE you select only the drive that you just inserted. (You'll see what I mean by the message that pops up!!)
After initializing that one drive, select create container and create a RAID 0 on the single drive.
That's all you need to do.

[ussenterprise]

During POST, after the memory count screen (Dell splash screen) you will the processors detected. Imediately after you will see the Power Edge Expandable Raid Controller (PERC).
You should also see "press clt+a to enter.

[Quidam]

Thanks for the detailed procedure. I'll try it this weekend and update the thread.

[Quidam]

With your guidance, the process went smoothly. The drive was installed, configured, formatted, and is available for use.

Thanks again.

[ussenterprise]

No problem. It's what I'm here for!

The Big Che"E"se