f. Start the operating-system installation. You will need your operating-system
CD.
Configuring hot-swap SAS or hot-swap SATA RAID
Use the IBM ServeRAID Configuration Utility program or ServeRAID Manager to
configure and manage hot-swap SAS or hot-swap SATA redundant array of
independent disks (RAID). Be sure to use these programs as described in this
document.
v Use the IBM ServeRAID Configuration Utility program to:
– Perform a low-level format on a hard disk drive
– View or change IDs for some attached devices
– Set protocol parameters on hard disk drives
v
Use ServeRAID Manager to:
– Configure arrays
– View the RAID configuration and associated devices
– Monitor operation of the RAID controller
Consider the following information when using the IBM ServeRAID Configuration
Utility program or ServeRAID Manager to configure and manage arrays:
v The ServeRAID-8k-l SAS controller that comes with the server supports only
RAID level-0 and RAID level-1. Servers that come with four 2.5-inch hot-swap
SAS drives also support RAID level-10. You can replace the ServeRAID-8k-l SAS
controller with a ServeRAID-8k SAS controller that supports additional RAID
levels.
v Hard disk drive capacities affect how you create arrays. The drives in an array
can have different capacities, but the ServeRAID controller treats them as if they
all have the capacity of the smallest hard disk drive.
v To help ensure signal quality, do not mix drives with different speeds and data
rates.
v Do not include SAS and SATA drives in the same array.
v To update the firmware and BIOS code for an optional ServeRAID controller, you
must use the IBM ServeRAID Support CD that comes with the ServeRAID
option.
Using the IBM ServeRAID Configuration Utility program
Use the IBM ServeRAID Configuration Utility program to perform the following
tasks:
v Configure a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) array
v View or change the RAID configuration and associated devices
Starting the IBM ServeRAID Configuration Utility program
To start the IBM ServeRAID Configuration Utility program, complete the following
steps:
1. Turn on the server.
2. When the prompt <<< Press <CTRL><A> for IBM ServeRAID Configuration
Utility! >>> appears, press Ctrl+A.
3. To select a choice from the menu, use the arrow keys.
4. Use the arrow keys to select the channel for which you want to change settings.
36 IBM System x3550 Type 7978: Installation Guide