Dell Sas 6ir Manual

							Driver Installation29
Installing Linux Driver
Use the procedures in this section to install the driver for Linux. The driver is 
updated frequently. To ensure that you have the current version of the driver, 
download the updated Linux driver from the Dell Support website at
 
support.dell.com.
Creating a Driver Diskette
Before beginning the installation, copy the drivers from the Service and 
Diagnostic Utilities media or download the driver appropriate for Linux from 
the Dell Support website at 
support.dell.com. This file includes two Red Hat 
Package Managers (RPMs) and driver update disk files. The package also 
contains the Dynamic Kernel Module Support (DKMS) Red Hat Package 
Manager (RPM) file, source code, and release notes.
Refer to the documentation website at support.dell.com for more 
information on DKMS.
The package is a zipped tar file. After downloading the package to a Linux 
system, perform the following steps.
1
Unzip the package using gunzip.
2Untar the file using tar -xvf.
3Use the dd command to create a driver update disk. Use the appropriate 
image for the purpose.
dd if= of=/dev/fd0
 NOTE: You can create a driver update disk on a Windows system using the 
program dcopynt.
 
NOTE: The output file “of” might be different, depending on how your 
operating system maps the floppy driver. The floppy drive does not need to be 
mounted in order to execute the “dd” command.
4Use the diskette for operating system installation as described later in 
this section.
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							30Driver Installation
Creating a Driver Update Diskette Using DKMS
Perform the following steps to create the DUD using the DKMS tool:
 NOTE: To work, the driver needs to be installed on the system where this procedure 
is carried out.
1Install the DKMS-enabled megaraid_sas driver rpm package.
2Type the following command in any directory:
dkms mkdriverdisk –m megaraid_sas –v  -k  -d 
 NOTE: The values for the –d option are suse for SLES diskettes and 
redhat for RHEL diskettes.
 
NOTE: For further information on usage of DKMS, refer to the dkms main page.
This starts the process to create the megaraid_sas DUD image. After the 
DUD image has been built, you can find it in the DKMS tree for the 
megaraid_sas driver. See the output of the 
dkms mkdriverdisk 
command for the exact path.
Installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux Operating Systems using the Driver 
Update Diskette
Perform the following steps to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux (versions 4 
and 5) and the appropriate driver.
1
Boot normally from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation media.
2At the command prompt, type:
linux expert dd
3
When the install prompts for a driver diskette, insert the diskette and press 
.
Refer to Creating a Driver Diskette on page 29 for information about 
creating a driver diskette.
4Complete the installation as directed by the installation program.
The driver will be installed.
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							Driver Installation31
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Installation and Disk Enumeration
The operating system may not boot when Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 is 
installed on a system that has a serial-attached SAS 6i/R controller connected 
to more than two hard drives. The issue occurs when the hard drives are 
configured with more than one RAID configuration or when one RAID 
volume along with one or two individual disks are connected to the controller. 
In this scenario, the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 installer installs the Grand 
Unified Bootloader (GRUB) to the incorrect hard drive. To avoid this issue, 
complete the following steps during the operating system installation:
1
Insert the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 media and proceed through the 
installation screens to the 
Drive Selection screen.
2Select Review and Modify Partition Layout.
3Click Next. Proceed through the installation screens to the GRUB location 
screen and select the 
Configure Advanced Bootloader Options tab.
4Click Next.
5Select Change Driver Order.
6In the Disk Order window, change the disks to the following order:
/dev/sdb
/dev/sdc
 (if present)
/dev/sda
7Click OK and then continue with the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 
installation.
Installing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Using the Driver Update 
Diskette
 NOTE: Refer to Creating a Driver Diskette on page 29 for information about 
creating a driver diskette.
To install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (version 9 or 10) using the DUD:
1
Insert the appropriate SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (version 9 or 10) 
Service Pack media in the system.
2Select  for the driver update disk.
 NOTE: Press  for SLES 10 installation and  for SLES 9 installation as 
shown on screen.
3Select Installation from the menu.
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							32Driver Installation
4Press  to load the Linux kernel.
5At the prompt Please insert the driver update floppy, 
click 
OK.
The system selects the driver from the diskette and installs it. The system 
then displays the message
DRIVER UPDATE ADDED with the description of the driver module.
6Click OK.
If you want to install from another driver update medium, continue with 
the following steps.
7The system displays the message PLEASE CHOOSE DRIVER UPDATE 
MEDIUM
. 
8Select the appropriate driver update medium.
The system selects the driver from the disk and installs it.
 NOTE: SLES 9 Gold media is required when you install any SLES 9 service 
pack.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Installation and Disk Enumeration
The operating system may not boot when SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 is 
installed on a system that has the SAS 6/iR controller with more than two 
hard drives connected. The issue occurs when the hard drives are configured 
with more than one RAID configuration, or when one RAID volume along 
with one or two individual disks are connected to the controller. In these 
scenarios, the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 installer will install the grand 
unified bootloader (GRUB) to the incorrect hard drive. To avoid this issue, 
complete the following steps during the operating system installation:
1
Insert the SUSE Linux installation media and proceed with the 
installation screens to the 
Installation Settings window. Select the 
Experttab, and then select Booting.
2The Boot Loader Settings window appears.
3Select the Boot Loader Installation tab and then select Boot Loader 
Installation Details
.
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							Driver Installation33
4In the Disk Order window, change the disks to the following order:
/dev/sdb
/dev/sdc
 (if present)
/dev/sda
5Click OK and then click Finish to return to the Installation Settings 
screen.
6Continue with the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 installation.
Installing the RPM Package With DKMS Support
Perform the following steps to install the RPM package with DKMS support:
1
Uncompress the gzipped tarball driver release package
2Install the DKMS package using the command: rpm –ihv dkms-
.noarch.rpm
3
Install the driver package using the command: rpm –ihv 
megaraid_sas-.noarch.rpm
 NOTE: Use rpm -Uvh  when updating an existing 
package.
4If the previous device driver is in use, a reboot is required for the updated 
driver to take effect
5Verify that the driver has been loaded.
Upgrading the Kernel
When upgrading to a new kernel, you must reinstall the DKMS-enabled 
driver packages. Perform the following steps to update or install the driver for 
the new kernel:
1
In a terminal window, type the following:
dkms build -m  -v  
-k  
dkms install -m  -v  
-k 
2
To check whether the driver is successfully installed in the new kernel, 
type:
dkms status
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							34Driver Installation
You must see a message similar to the following one on the screen to 
confirm installation:
, , : installed
3
If the previous device driver is in use, a reboot is required for the updated 
driver to take effect.
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							SAS 6/iR BIOS35
SAS 6/iR BIOS
The BIOS of the Dell™ Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) 6/iR controller offers the 
following features:
 Support for multiple SAS adapters
 POST Memory Management (PMM) support 
 Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) configuration tool
 Read-only memory (ROM) BIOS recovery image 
 POST status error messaging 
 Compatibility with Console Redirection 
 POST accessible, text-based configuration utility (CTRL-C)
POST Messages
During POST, the BIOS displays messages that provide the status and 
identification information of the SAS 6/iR controller, and also displays errors 
detected during the POST process. 
The BIOS POST identification banner prints the BIOS identification, 
copyright information, and the controller version. It displays the list of 
controllers and devices detected at initialization in a hierarchical order. The 
BIOS also prompts you to start the Configuration Utility during the 
POST process.
BIOS Fault Code Messages
If an error is encountered in the BIOS during POST, the BIOS Configuration 
Utility forces you to acknowledge BIOS errors by halting the POST process 
after the error display. You must press any key to continue. The BIOS 
Configuration Utility allows you to choose to continue booting or stop 
booting if errors are encountered.
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							36SAS 6/iR BIOS
Configuration Utility
Starting the Configuration Utility
1Boot the system.
2Press  during POST when prompted.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to 
wait until the operating system completes bootup. Then restart your 
system and try again.
The Configuration Utility menu screen displays.
Functions Performed
 NOTE: The screens are organized in a hierarchical fashion and navigation hints are 
displayed at the bottom of each screen. See the online help for additional 
information about the utility.
Table 6-1. Functions Performed by the Configuration Utility
Function Description
Adapter List Lists all the SAS 6/iR controllers in the system.SAS 5 controllers 
will also be listed.
Global 
PropertiesLists static and modifiable properties applicable to all SAS 6/iR 
controllers in the system.
Adapter 
PropertiesMain screen for the selected controller. Lists the static and 
modifiable properties for the selected SAS 6/iR controller. Provides 
a menu for additional screens.
Select New 
Array TypeProvides the option to view existing arrays or create new arrays.
Create New 
ArrayProvides the ability to add devices to the specified new array.
View Array Displays the properties for the existing array and the option to 
enter the Mange Array screen.
Manage Array Provides options for managing the current array.
Manage Hot 
SparesProvides the ability to add or remove global hot spares.
SAS Topology Lists the physical topology for the selected controller.
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							SAS 6/iR BIOS37
Navigating the Configuration Utility
The navigation hints are displayed at the bottom of each screen. Online help 
is also available in the utility.
 NOTE: After you press , press  on the adapter to manage it.
Integrated RAID Configuration and Management 
Screens
Integrated RAID (IR) configuration and management involves many screens, 
all of which are accessed by selecting RAID Properties on the Adapter 
Properties screen.
 If no RAID arrays are currently configured, you are prompted to create 
aRAID array.
 If at least one RAID array is currently configured, select 
View Existing 
Array 
to manage the array(s), or select the appropriate option to configure 
a new array.
The screens in the RAID configuration and management properties area are:
 Select New Array Type
 Create New Array
 View Array
 Manage Array
Device 
PropertiesLists the properties of physical devices attached to the selected 
controller.
Advanced 
Adapter 
PropertiesLists the advanced properties for the selected controller.
Advanced 
Device 
PropertiesLists static and modifiable advanced properties for all devices 
attached to the selected controller.
PHY Properties Lists the properties for the PHYs for the selected controller. Table 6-1. Functions Performed by the Configuration Utility (continued)
Function Description
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							38SAS 6/iR BIOS
Select New Array Type
The two options for creating a new array are Create R1 Volume and Create 
R0 Volume. Additional information about the disk type options appear on 
the screen.
Create New Array
The Create New Array screen allows you to select disks for a new array.
1
Press  to create the array once the array is configured. 
2Save the changes when prompted to do so. 
3Press  to confirm the changes. 
After the array is created, the utility returns to the Adapter Properties screen. 
See the table below for the array properties description.
 NOTE: It is recommended that you back up your data prior to adding or updating 
configurations.
Table 6-2.  Array Field Descriptions
Field Description
Array 
NumberNumber of current array out of total arrays configured
Array 
IdentifierIdentifier text for the current array
Array Type Type of array (R1 or R0)
Array Scan 
OrderScan order for the current array
Array Size 
(MB)Size of the array 
NOTE: In order to facilitate coercion on new larger disk drives, the disk size 
must be coerced down with a factor of 128 MB. Additionally, to comply with 
the latest Disk Data Format standard, 512 MB of space must be reserved for 
RAID metadata on the drive. This results in several hundred MB of space 
being removed from the usable size of an array when it is created.
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