Users Guide

For SWRAID controller, if removable and non-removable devices are used to create a virtual disk, the following message is
displayed:
A combination of removable and non-removable NVMe devices have been used to create
this virtual disk. Are you sure you want to procered?
Click Finish to create the virtual disk.
Click Go Back To Previous Page to return to Create Virtual Disk Express Wizard page, if you want to change your
selections.
Click Exit Wizard to cancel the virtual disk creation.
The virtual disk is displayed in the Virtual Disk(s) on Controller <Controller Name> page.
Create Virtual Disk Advanced Wizard
Does my controller support this feature? See Supported Features.
The Create Virtual Disk Advanced Wizard allows you to specify the read, write, and cache policy, and parameters such as
RAID level, bus protocol, media type, and encrypted disk for the virtual disk. You can also select the physical disks and the
controller connector. You must have a good knowledge of RAID levels and hardware, to use the Advanced Wizard. If you want
the wizard to choose a recommended virtual disk configuration for you, select the Express Wizard option.
Before creating a virtual disk, you should be familiar with the information in Considerations Before Creating Virtual Disks. You
may also want to review Choosing RAID Levels And Concatenation.
NOTE: This task is not supported on PERC hardware controllers running in HBA mode.
To create a virtual disk using the Create Virtual Disk Advanced Wizard:
1. On the left-hand side of the Server Administrator page, expand Storage.
2. Click on the <PERC Controller>.
3. Click on Virtual Disks.
The Virtual Disk(s) on Controller <Controller Name> page is displayed.
4. Click Go to the Create Virtual Disk Wizard.
The Create Virtual Disk Wizard (Step 1) <Controller Name> page is displayed.
5. Select the Advanced Wizard option.
6. To make sure that only encrypted physical disks are used to create the virtual disk, select Yes from the Create Encrypted
Virtual Disk drop-down list.
The RAID levels are available for selection based on the number of encrypted physical disks.
If you select No, the RAID levels are available based on the total number of physical disks present on the system.
7. Select the required RAID level from the drop-down list.
● Depending on the controller, Concatenated enables you to combine the storage capacity of several disks or to create
a virtual disk using a single physical disk. For more information on the number of supported physical disks supported by
Concatenated, see Number Of Physical Disks Per Virtual Disk. Using Concatenated does not provide data redundancy
or affect the read/write performance.
● Select RAID 0 for striping. This selection groups n disks together as a large virtual disk with a total capacity of n disks.
Data is alternately stored in the disks so that they are evenly distributed. Data redundancy is not available in this mode.
Read/write performance is enhanced.
● Select RAID 1 for mirroring disks. This selection groups two disks as one virtual disk with the capacity of a single disk.
The data is replicated on both disks. When a disk fails, the virtual disk continues to function. This feature provides
data redundancy and good read performance, but slightly slower write performance. The system must have at least two
physical disks to use RAID 1.
● Select RAID 5 for striping with distributed parity. This selection groups n disks together as one large virtual disk with
a capacity of (n-1) disks. When a disk fails, the virtual disk continues to function. This feature provides better data
redundancy and read performance, but slower write performance. The system must have at least three physical disks to
use RAID 5.
● Select RAID 6 for striping with additional distributed parity. This selection groups n disks as one large virtual disk with
a capacity of (n- 2) disks. The virtual disk remains functional with up to two disk failures. RAID 6 provides better read
performance, but slower write performance. The system must have at least four physical disks to use RAID 6.
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Virtual Disks