Managing RAID on Linux - Derek Vadala [94]
Use the aacraid driver if you have an OEM or a non-I2O boxed controller. Refer to the file /usr/src/kernel/drivers/scsi/aacraid/README to determine if your controller is supported by the aacraid driver.
Configuring the kernel
The aacraid driver is still experimental, so you have to enable support for development drivers before you can see the aacraid driver as a configuration option. From the Code Maturity Level Options (the first item in the Linux kernel configuration), choose the option Prompt For Development and/or Incomplete Code/Drivers.
After development support is enabled, look for the Adaptec AACRAID Support (CONFIG_SCSI_AACRAID) option under the SCSI Low-Level Drivers submenu of the SCSI Support menu.
SCSI support --->
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SCSI low-level drivers --->
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<*> Adaptec AACRAID support (EXPERIMENTAL)
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The driver can be compiled statically or as a loadable kernel module.
Adaptec RAID Setup Utility
The Adaptec RAID Setup Utility is the controller BIOS configuration tool used to create and manage Adaptec arrays. In this section, I'll provide some examples for common tasks using the BIOS Setup Utility, including configuring an array for the first time and converting an existing system to a RAID-1 system. When the card initializes, you'll see a banner that provides information about disks and arrays. Use CTRL-A to enter the utility.
Adaptec controllers also ship with a bootable CD-ROM that contains a more robust GUI configuration tool. You can use that disk, instead of the setup utility, to perform your initial setup.
Configuring the first array
Use CTRL-A to enter the Adaptec RAID Setup Utility.
After the utility initializes and scans connected disks, press ALT-R to activate the RAID configuration menu.
Select Create from the RAID configuration menu. A window that lists the available RAID levels and the default stripe size will appear.
Use the TAB or arrow keys to move between each option. Pressing the SPACEBAR selects the RAID level that is currently highlighted. Choose the one that meets your needs.
If necessary, navigate to the Stripe Size field and press the ENTER key to bring up a list of available stripe sizes. Use the arrow keys and the ENTER key to select the desired stripe size. The default value is fine for most systems.
Navigate to the Okay button and press ENTER to confirm the RAID configuration.
The next screen lists available disks. Move up and down the list, using the arrow keys, and then use the ENTER key to select each disk you want to include in the array. A checkmark appears to the left of each disk after it is selected. Warning
Remember that data on disks included in a new array will be lost. Please back up necessary data before using disks in an array, or use new disks.
When you are finished selecting disks, navigate to the Done button, using the TAB key, and press ENTER to create the new array.
If you created a RAID-1, a dialog will appear, asking which disk to use as the synchronization source and destination. Since this is a new array and the disks are either new or contain incidental data, just select either option and choose Okay.
If any of the disks you included in a new array contain a valid partition table or boot section, the Adaptec RAID Setup Utility will warn you just before the array is created. A dialog for each disk that contains data appears, and you must manually confirm that each disk can be included in the array.
After confirming any additional dialogs, you are returned to the Adaptec RAID Setup Utility's main menu. The new array appears in the left column just below the controller's entry. You can use the ENTER key to expand and collapse the array's entry, revealing its member disks.
Finally, press ALT-F to bring up the File menu and choose Set System Config. This writes the array configuration into the controller's memory. You may now reboot and begin installing a new Linux operating system. If you created an array with redundancy, the initial resynchronization will begin. You can