Users Guide

• Configure universal mode or split mode
• View slot information (universal or shared)
• Set SGPIO mode
• Set Asset Tag
• Asset Name
Configuring backplane mode
The Dell 14
th
generation PowerEdge servers supports a new internal storage topology, where two storage controllers (PERCs) can be
connected to a set of internal drives through a single expander. This configuration is used for high performance mode with no failover or
High Availability (HA) functionality. The expander splits the internal drive array between the two storage controllers. In this mode, virtual
disk creation only displays the drives connected to a particular controller. There are no licensing requirements for this feature. This feature
is supported only on a few systems.
Backplane supports the following modes:
• Unified mode —This is the default mode. The primary PERC controller has access to all the drives connected to the backplane even if
a second PERC controller is installed.
• Split mode — One controller has access to the first 12 drives and the second controller has access to the last 12 drives. The drives
connected to the first controller are numbered 0-11 while the drives connected to the second controller are numbered 12-23.
• Split mode 4:20 — One controller has access to the first 4 drives and the second controller has access to the last 20 drives. The
drives connected to the first controller are numbered 0-3 while the drives connected to the second controller are numbered 4-23.
• Split mode 8:16 — One controller has access to the first 8 drives and the second controller has access to the last 16 drives. The drives
connected to the first controller are numbered 0-7 while the drives connected to the second controller are numbered 8-23.
• Split mode 16:8 — One controller has access to the first 16 drives and the second controller has access to the last 8 drives. The drives
connected to the first controller are numbered 0-15 while the drives connected to the second controller are numbered 16-23.
• Split mode 20:4 — One controller has access to the first 20 drives and the second controller has access to the last 4 drives. The
drives connected to the first controller are numbered 0-19 while the drives connected to the second controller are numbered 20-23.
• Information Not Available — Controller information is not available.
iDRAC allows the split mode setting if the expander has the capability to support the configuration. Ensure that you enable this mode prior
to installing the second controller. iDRAC performs a check for expander capability prior to allowing this mode to be configured and does
not check whether the second PERC controller is present.
NOTE:
Cable errors (or other errors) may appear if you put the backplane into split mode with only one PERC attached,
or if you put the backplane into Unified Mode with two PERCs attached.
To modify the setting, you must have Server Control privilege.
If any other RAID operations are in pending state or any RAID job is scheduled, you cannot change the backplane mode. Similarly, if this
setting is pending, you cannot schedule other RAID jobs.
NOTE:
• Warning messages are displayed when the setting is being changed as there is a possibility of data loss.
• LC Wipe or iDRAC reset operations do not change the expander setting for this mode.
• This operation is supported only in real-time and not staged.
• You can change the backplane configuration multiple times.
• The backplane splitting operation can cause data loss or foreign configuration if the drive association changes from
one controller to another controller.
• During the backplane splitting operation, the RAID configuration may be impacted depending on the drive
association.
Any change in this setting only takes effect after a system power reset. If you change from Split mode to Unified, an error message is
displayed on the next boot as the second controller does not see any drives. Also, the first controller will see a foreign configuration. If you
ignore the error, the existing virtual disks are lost.
Configuring backplane mode using web interface
To configure backplane mode using iDRAC web interface:
1. In the iDRAC web interface, go to Configuration > Storage Configuration > Enclosures Configuration.
2. From the Controller menu, select the controller to configure its associated enclosures.
3. From the Action drop-down menu, select Edit Enclosure Mode.
Managing storage devices
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