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Lenovo ThinkStation P500 Configuration Manual
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Lenovo ThinkStation P500 Configuration Manual

How to create and configure raid arrays
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Download this manual See also: Hardware Maintenance Manual, User Manual
ThinkStation P500/P510, P700/P710,
and P900/P910 How to Create and
Configure RAID Arrays
Version 1.1

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Summary of Contents for Lenovo ThinkStation P500

  • Page 1 ThinkStation P500/P510, P700/P710, and P900/P910 How to Create and Configure RAID Arrays Version 1.1...
  • Page 2 1. Introduction The introduction of the new ThinkStation P500, P700, and P900 platforms brings with it several new storage options that are designed to increase the storage capacity and performance of the system. As with previous ThinkStation platforms, P500/700/900 will continue to support the standard SATA and SAS storage technologies to provide users with a wide variety of data storage solutions.

  • Page 3: Configuring Raid Arrays

    2. Configuring RAID Arrays Configuring RAID arrays using the onboard Intel S-SATA controller Legacy BIOS Method Use this method to create a basic RAID array using the onboard Intel S-SATA controller with the system BIOS set to Legacy mode. NOTE: This document shows the BIOS screens in Text Mode. P510/710/910 uses a GUI interface for the BIOS setup screens by default.
  • Page 4 3. Once the BIOS setup window is visible, use the left and right arrow keys to select the “Devices” tab. From this tab, use the up and down arrow keys to select “PCH S-SATA Configuration”. 4. Under “Configure S-SATA as”, change the setting from “AHCI” to “RAID”. 5.
  • Page 5 6. After exiting, the system will reboot and load the Intel option ROM (Note the option ROM requires at least two drives to be installed to load). Press CTRL+I when prompted to enter the Intel option ROM. 7. Once the RSTe Main Menu loads, select “1: Create RAID Volume” and press ENTER. 8.
  • Page 6 11. Select desired strip size and press ENTER. 12. Select desired capacity and press ENTER. 13. Press ENTER to create the volume/array. Press “Y” to confirm.
  • Page 7 14. The user will then be returned to the RSTe menu. The array should now be listed under RAID Volumes and the disks that are part of the array listed under Physical Devices. UEFI BIOS Method Use this method to create a basic RAID array using the onboard Intel S-SATA controller with the system BIOS set to UEFI mode (OS Optimized Defaults set to ‘Enabled’...
  • Page 8 P900/P910 2. Power on the system and enter BIOS setup using the F1 key when prompted.
  • Page 9 3. Once the BIOS setup window is visible, use the left and right arrow keys to select the ‘Startup’ tab. From this tab, use the up and down arrow keys to select ‘CSM Configuration’. 4. For Windows 7: Under ‘Storage’, change the setting from “Legacy” to “UEFI” and press F10 key to save and exit the BIOS setup menu.
  • Page 10 6. Under “Configure S-SATA as”, change the setting from “AHCI” to “RAID”. 7. Save and exit BIOS setup. 8. After exiting, the system will reboot. Press F1 to enter BIOS setup. 9. Use the left and right arrow keys to select the “Advanced” tab. 10.
  • Page 11 11. At this menu, the user should see a list of all drives connected to the S-SATA controller. To create a RAID volume, use the up and down arrow keys to select “Create RAID Volume” and press ENTER. 12. To give the volume a unique name, press ENTER to input the name and then press ENTER when finished.
  • Page 12 15. When done, use the up and down arrow keys to select the strip size and/or capacity. Press ENTER to input the value and then press ENTER again when done. 16. When all values are set appropriately, use the up and down arrow keys to select “Create Volume”...
  • Page 13 Configuring RAID arrays using the Avago controllers Legacy BIOS Method – Setting up a RAID array ***Note: in order for the OS to recognize drive(s) attached to the Avago controller, the drive(s) must be configured as a RAID array or JBOD mode. Single drive RAID 0 arrays are acceptable. Use this method to create a basic RAID array using the Avago MegaRAID SAS/SATA FLEX RAID Adapter or Avago 9364-8i adapter with the system BIOS set to Legacy mode.
  • Page 14 2. Power on the system and wait for the Avago option ROM to load. Press CTRL + R when prompted to enter the Avago MegaRAID configuration utility. 3. From the Avago MegaRAID configuration menu, press “Ctrl – N” to view the next page of the MegaRAID configuration menu to change the drive state from “JBOD”...
  • Page 15 4. Highlight a drive to use in a RAID array, press the F2 key, select the “Make unconfigured good” option and press Enter. Do this for each drive to use in a RAID array. 5. Notice the state of each drive will change from “JBOD” to “UG”.
  • Page 16 6. Press Ctrl-N three more times to go back to the “VD Mgmt” main menu option. Highlight the controller and then press F2 for options. From the options menu, select “Create Virtual Drive” and press Enter. 7. This will bring up the Create New VD window. From here, users can change the selected RAID level using Enter and the arrow keys.
  • Page 17 8. Users can select “Advanced” to bring up a new window that will allow for advanced policies and settings (including drive initialization) to be changed. Selecting “Initialize” within the advanced menu is recommended. Selecting OK will return the user to the Create New VD window. If initialize was selected, a window will pop up once the array has completed initialization.
  • Page 18 10. The new Virtual Drive should now show in the main Virtual Drive Management window.
  • Page 19 Legacy BIOS Method – Setting up single drives in JBOD mode ***Note: in order for the OS to recognize drive(s) attached to the Avago controller, the drive(s) must be configured as a RAID array or JBOD mode. Single drive RAID 0 arrays are acceptable. Use this method to create a basic single drive using the Avago MegaRAID SAS/SATA FLEX RAID Adapter or Avago 9364-8i adapter with the system BIOS set to Legacy mode.
  • Page 20 3. From the Avago MegaRAID configuration menu, press “Ctrl – N” to view the next page of the MegaRAID configuration menu. If the drive “State” is not set to “JBOD”, proceed to the next steps to change the drive state to “JBOD”. 4.
  • Page 21 ***Note: If “Make JBOD” option is grayed out and not selectable, download the Avago MegaRAID utility from the Avago website (www.avagotech.com). Run the following dos command to enable JBOD mode: megacli –adpsetprop –enablejbod -1 –a0 5. Notice the state of each drive will change from “UG” to “JBOD”. 6.
  • Page 22 UEFI BIOS Method (HII Interface) – Setting up a RAID Array Use this method to create a basic RAID array using the Avago MegaRAID SAS/SATA FLEX RAID Adapter or Avago 9364-8i adapter with the system BIOS set to UEFI mode. 1.
  • Page 23 5. Select “Main Menu” and press Enter. 6. Select “Configuration Management” and press Enter.
  • Page 24 7. OPTIONAL: If there is a previous RAID setup, it is a good idea to clear the configuration before creating a new RAID array. Select “Clear Configuration” and press Enter. Select the “Confirm [Disabled]” option and press Enter.
  • Page 25 Select “Enabled” and press Enter. Select “Yes” and press Enter.
  • Page 26 Select “Ok” at the Success screen and press Enter. 8. Select “Make Unconfigured Good” and press Enter.
  • Page 27 9. Select the drives to use in a RAID array one at a time and change “Disabled” to “Enabled”.
  • Page 28 10. Select “OK” and press Enter. 11. A.) Select “Confirm [Disabled]” and press Enter. B.) Select “Enabled” and press Enter. C.) Select “Yes” and press Enter.
  • Page 29 12. Select “OK” at the Success screen and press Enter. 13. Select “Create Virtual Drive” and press Enter.
  • Page 30 14. Highlight “Select RAID Level” and press Enter to show the list of supported RAID types. Choose the desired type and press Enter. ***Note: The available RAID types will vary based on drive configuration. 15. Using the arrow keys, highlight “Select Drives” and press Enter.
  • Page 31 16. Using the arrow keys, highlight “Select Media Type”, press Enter and change the selected media type to “Both”. 17. Using the arrow keys, highlight a drive to be included in the array, press Enter and change the setting to enabled. Repeat this process for each drive to be added to the array.
  • Page 32 18. Once all desired drives are selected, use the arrow keys to highlight “Apply Changes” and press Enter. 19. Press Enter again to confirm.
  • Page 33 20. The “Create Virtual Drive” menu should appear again. From this menu, users can make additional changes to advanced settings (such as policies and initialization). It is recommended that users select “Default Initialization” and choose either the “Full” or “Fast” option to ensure the array is initialized.
  • Page 34 22. On the next screen, change the “Confirmed” setting to enabled, and press Enter. 23. Highlight “Yes” and press Enter.
  • Page 35 24. At the Success menu, press Enter. 25. Press ESC to return to the Create Virtual Drive menu. 26. Press ESC again to return to the Configuration Utility main menu. Note that users can check the status of the array by choosing the Virtual Drive Management Option to view information on the array.
  • Page 36 UEFI BIOS Method (HII Interface) – Setting up single drives in JBOD mode Use this method to create a basic single drive using the Avago MegaRAID SAS/SATA FLEX RAID Adapter or Avago 9364-8i adapter with the system BIOS set to UEFI mode. ***Note: in order for the OS to recognize drive(s) attached to the Avago controller, the drive(s) must be configured as a RAID array or JBOD mode.
  • Page 37 5. Select “Main Menu” and press Enter. 6. Select “Configuration Management” and press Enter.
  • Page 38 7. Select “Make JBOD”. ***Note: If drives are already in “JBOD” mode, the “Make JBOD” option will not be listed here. ***Note: If “Make JBOD” option is grayed out and not selectable, download the Avago MegaRAID utility from the Avago website (www.avagotech.com). Run the following dos command to enable JBOD mode: megacli –adpsetprop –enablejbod -1 –a0 8.
  • Page 39 Description of Commonly Used Storage Hardware in P-Series ThinkStations Blind Connect Assembly (BCA) BCA-P : Blind Connect Assembly consisting of two 8639-SFF ports (supporting PCIe, SAS, or SATA drives) and two 8482-SFF ports (supporting SAS or SATA drives). The assembly also consists of the following cable connections: ...
  • Page 40 BCA-S : Blind Connect Assembly consisting of four 8482-SFF (U.2) ports (supporting SAS or SATA drives). The assembly also contains the following cable connections:  One 4-pin power connector that connect to the motherboard  One mini-SAS HD connector that connect to either the onboard controller or Avago controller labeled “S/X”...
  • Page 41 FLEX Tray Blind Connect FLEX Tray : Tool-less tray that can hold up to two drives and utilizes a “pull-bar” style handle to connect drive(s) to the BCA Manual Connect FLEX Tray : Tool-less tray that can hold up to two drives. These trays utilize hinged pulls that open and allow for cable access and manual cable connections.
  • Page 44 FLEX Adapters Specialized adapter cards used to support a variety of different functions Multi IO FLEX Adapter: FLEX adapter primarily used to support 2.5” PCIe SSD drives via BCA-P. Also consists of a SATA (AHCI) port and USB2.0 port for additional connectivity. M.2 SSD FLEX Adapter: FLEX adapter used to support M.2 PCIe drives and/or M.2 SATA drives.
  • Page 45 Avago 9364-8i 8-port SATA/SAS ROC Adapter (Protected Mode) w/ 1GB Flash Memory Module+SuperCap PCIe based RAID-on-Card (ROC) adapter used to support SATA and SAS drives via BCA. * The Supercap cable plugs directly into the 1G W/Flash Memory Module attached to the LSI adapter. ** The HDD LED cable plugs directly into the 2-pin yellow header on the motherboard.
  • Page 46 Avago 9364-8i 8-port SATA/SAS ROC Adapter (Base Mode) w/ 1GB DDR Memory Module PCIe based RAID-on-Card (ROC) adapter used to support SATA and SAS drives via BCA. * The HDD LED cable plugs directly into the 2-pin yellow header on the motherboard.
  • Page 47 Blind Connect to SATA cable Blind Connect to SATA cable used to support SATA drives on Intel Onboard Controller via BCA-S for P500/P700. Avago to HDD manual tray cable Avago to HDD manual tray cable used to support SATA and SAS drives using Avago controller without BCA’s.
  • Page 48 Manual HDD Connect Cables Manual HDD connect cables are used to support SATA drives using Intel onboard SATA controller.

This manual is also suitable for:

Thinkstation p510Thinkstation p710Thinkstation p900Thinkstation p910Thinkstation p700