The Dell Server Assistant

RAID Setup

Dell recommends using OpenManage Array Manager to create Virtual Disks (RAID Arrays) and Volumes (Partitions). This tool must be used after a manual operating system install (as opposed to a full install using the DSA as described previously) has been performed.

The discussion of the OpenManage Array Manager in this course covers the version available with version 2.x of the OpenManage Applications CD.

Terms used with Array Manager

Virtual Disk is the Array Manager term for a RAID array (at other times referred to as a logical drive or container).
Volume refers to a partition.

The process for setting up arrays using Array Manager involves first creating a Virtual Disk then creating a Volume, and a Virtual Disk can only be created if the hard drives are attached to a RAID Controller. If the hard drives are attached to a SCSI controller, only Volume(s) may be created.

NOTE: NOTE: When the Array Manager opens, a notice may request the system be upgraded to a Dynamic Disk. Upgrading to a Dynamic Disk is NOT recommended for compatibility reasons. A Dynamic Disk can only be read by the Array Manager and may not be compatible with all operating systems.