Configure RAID with MegaRAID Configuration Utility

To configure RAID with MegaRAID Configuration Utility, ensure that:

Storage drive requirements for RAID levels

Your computer supports the following RAID levels:
  • RAID 0: striped disk array

    • Consists of at least two NVMe storage drives

    • Supported strip size: 64 KB, 128 KB, 256 KB, 512 KB, or 1 MB

    • Better performance without fault tolerance

    CAUTION:
    RAID 0 does not support any data redundancy. Use RAID 0 with caution. If a drive in the RAID 0 array fails, the data will be lost and there is no way to get it recovered.
  • RAID 1: mirrored disk array

    • Consists of two or four NVMe storage drives

    • Improved read performance and 100% redundancy

  • RAID 10: striped and mirrored disk array (a combination of RAID 0 and RAID 1)

    • Consists of four NVMe storage drives

    • Data being striped across storage drive groups

    • Provides both high data transfer rates and complete data redundancy

  • RAID 5: block-level striped disk array with distributed parity

    • Consists of at least three NVMe storage drives

    • Supported strip size: 64 KB, 128 KB, 256 KB, 512 KB, or 1 MB

    • Better performance and fault tolerance

    • Available only on selected models of MegaRAID adapters

  • RAID 6: block-level striped disk array with dual distributed parity

    • Consists of at least four NVMe storage drives

    • Supported strip size: 64 KB, 128 KB, 256 KB, 512 KB, or 1 MB

    • Better performance and fault tolerance that can stand up to loss of two storage drives

    • Available only on selected models of MegaRAID adapters

Create a RAID volume

Attention: All the existing data stored on the selected drives will be erased while the RAID volume is being created.
To create a RAID volume:

  1. Restart the computer. When the logo screen is displayed, press F1 or Fn+F1.

  2. Select Devices > MegaRAID Configuration Utility and press Enter.

  3. Select Main Menu and press Enter.

  4. Select Configuration Management and press Enter.

  5. Select Create Virtual Drive and press Enter.

  6. Select and configure the options one by one.
    1. Select RAID Level: You can set the RAID level to one of the following:

      • RAID0

      • RAID1

      • RAID5

      • RAID6

      • RAID10

      Note: Some of the RAID levels might not be displayed because the number of installed storage drives and the model of the MegaRAID adapter vary.

    2. Select Drives From: Select Unconfigured capacity or Free capacity depending on your needs and press Enter.

    3. Select Drives: Select a storage drive and press Enter. After selecting all storage drives for creating the RAID volume, select Apply Changes and press Enter. When promoted, select Confirm and press Enter. Then, select Yes and press Enter to save the storage drive selection. Finally, select OK and press Enter.

    4. Virtual Drive Name: You can type a preferred name for the volume name.

    5. Strip Size (if applicable): Select a strip size and press Enter.

  7. Select Save Configuration and press Enter. When promoted, select Confirm and press Enter. Then, select Yes and press Enter to confirm the creation of the RAID volume.

  8. Press F10 or Fn+F10 to save the changes and exit.

View the information about a RAID volume

To view the information about a RAID volume:

  1. Restart the computer. When the logo screen is displayed, press F1 or Fn+F1.

  2. Select Devices > MegaRAID Configuration Utility and press Enter.

  3. Select Main Menu and press Enter.

  4. Select Virtual Drive Management and press Enter.

  5. Select a RAID volume and press Enter to view the detailed information.

  6. Press F10 or Fn+F10 to save the changes and exit.

Virtual drive state

Virtual drive can be in one of the following states:
CAUTION:
Continuously monitor the RAID volume status to save drives from undesired data loss. If there is any drive failure, remove the failing drive and install a new one.

Delete a RAID volume

Attention: All the existing data stored on the selected drives will be erased after you delete RAID volumes.
To delete a RAID volume:

  1. Restart the computer. When the logo screen is displayed, press F1 or Fn+F1.

  2. Select Devices > MegaRAID Configuration Utility.

  3. Select Main Menu and press Enter.

  4. Select Virtual Drive Management and press Enter.

  5. Select the RAID volume that is not needed and press Enter.

  6. Under Operation, select Delete Virtual Drive and press Enter.

  7. Select Go and press Enter. When prompted, select Confirm and press Enter. Then, select Yes and press Enter to delete the RAID volume.

  8. Press F10 or Fn+F10 to save the changes and exit.

Parent topic: RAID

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