User's Manual

Introduction 7
Introduction
Dell
®
SAS RAID Storage Manager works in conjunction with the appropriate
libraries and drivers to enable you to configure, monitor, and maintain storage
configurations on Dell PERC 5/i, SAS 5/iR, PERC 6/i, and SAS 6/iR
controllers. The Dell SAS RAID Storage Manager graphical user interface
(GUI) makes it easy for you to create and manage storage configurations.
NOTE: iR stands for internal RAID.
Creating Storage Configurations
Dell SAS RAID Storage Manager enables you to easily configure the
controllers, disk drives, and virtual disks on your Dell workstation or SC
server. The Configuration Wizard greatly simplifies the process of creating
disk groups and virtual disks.
On Dell systems with PERC 5/i, PERC 6/i, SAS 5/iR, or SAS 6/iR Controllers,
you can use the Configuration Wizard Auto Configuration mode to
automatically create the optimal configuration with the available hardware.
You can use the Guided Configuration mode, which asks you a few brief
questions about the configuration, and then creates it for you. Or you can use
the Manual Configuration mode, which gives you complete control over all
aspects of the storage configuration.
For Dell systems with PERC 5/iR , PERC 6/i, SAS 5/iR, or SAS 6/iR
Controllers, the Configuration Wizard guides you through several simple
steps to create your storage configurations.
Monitoring Storage Devices
Dell SAS RAID Storage Manager displays the status of controllers, virtual
disks, and physical disks on your Dell workstation or SC server. System errors
and events are recorded in an event log file and are displayed on the screen.
Special device icons appear on the screen to notify you of disk failures and
other events that require immediate attention.