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Dell PowerEdge Server Foundations Online Training Course
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Course OverviewThis image displays a navigation arrow
PowerEdge System Components This image displays a navigation arrow
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System Board Features
Overview
Slotted System Boards
I/O Connectors
Memory Riser Card
Socketed System Boards

Power Subsystems
Overview
PSPBs
PDBs

Storage Subsystems
PERC Overview
Integrated PERCs
PCI Card PERCs
Adaptec PERC BIOS
AMI PERC BIOS
SCSI Backplanes

Network Interface Cards
Overview
Intel NICs
Broadcom NICs

Dell Remote Management Cards
Overview

Components Review
Section Review
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PowerEdge Chassis & Rack DesignsThis image displays a navigation arrow
PowerEdge System Setup Program (BIOS) and FirmwareThis image displays a navigation arrow
The Dell Server AssistantThis image displays a navigation arrow
PowerEdge Utility Partition & ApplicationsThis image displays a navigation arrow
Course ReviewThis image displays a navigation arrow
Course Feedback
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PowerEdge System Components

PERC Overview

PowerEdge Expandable RAID Controllers (PERCs) provide PowerEdge servers with the ability to control arrays of SCSI hard drives.

PERC 2 controllers and PERC 3 controllers are the currently available RAID solutions for PowerEdge Servers.


PERC Abbreviations (SCSI Technology)
The SCSI technology a PERC is based upon determines the maximum data transfer rate through the SCSI bus.
  • 2 (for example PERC 2/DC): Based on Ultra2 SCSI technology (up to 80 MB/second transfer rate).
  • 3 (for example PERC 3/QC): Based on Ultra3 SCSI (up to 160 MB/second transfer rate) technology.

Aside from the SCSI level, the name of a PERC contains other important information about the controller.


PERC Abbreviations (Channels)

The number of channels a PERC supports determines how many SCSI chains it may control. Each SCSI chain may have 15 devices in addition to the controller.

  • S (for example PERC 2/SC): A Single channel controller, capable of controlling only one SCSI chain.
  • D (for example PERC 2/Di): A Dual channel controller, capable of controlling up to 2 SCSI chains.
  • Q (for example PERC 3/QC): A Quad channel controller, capable of controlling up to 4 SCSI chains at one time.

PERC Abbreviations (Integrated vs. PCI)
The PowerEdge PowerEdge 4400, PowerEdge 2500, and PowerEdge 2550 servers may have an optional integrated PERC on the system board, the PERC 3/Di. All other PERCs are available only as PCI expansion cards.
  • i (PERC 3/Di): An integrated controller, built in to the system board.
  • C (PERC 3/QC): A PCI card (the C stands for card)


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