Installation Overview - IBM Netfinity ServeRAID-3H Installation And User Manual

Installation overview

This book contains reference, configuration, and administration information for the IBM ServeRAID
controllers. In addition to this book, you might need to refer to your IBM server documentation for safety
information, connector locations, and for controller and hard-disk-drive installation instructions.
Note: The IBM ServeRAID product can be either a controller on an adapter, such as the one in this
option package, or a controller that is built-in on the system board of your server. For consistency
in this manual, the ServeRAID product is referred to as a ServeRAID controller, unless it is
specifically noted otherwise.
The information that you will need to install or configure your IBM ServeRAID subsystem depends on the
type of ServeRAID controller you are using and your familiarity with RAID technology.
A typical installation and configuration of an IBM ServeRAID subsystem consists of the following steps:
1
Learning about RAID technology.
The "Understanding RAID technology" section in this chapter contains general information about
RAID technology. If you already are familiar with the IBM implementation of RAID technology, you
might want to start your installation with step 2.
2
Installing the ServeRAID-3H, ServeRAID-3HB or ServeRAID-3L controller.
Chapter 2, "Installing and cabling a ServeRAID controller" provides information about the standard
features of the ServeRAID-3H, ServeRAID-3HB and ServeRAID-3L controllers, and installation and
cabling instructions for the controllers. You will not need the information in this chapter if you are
using a ServeRAID controller on an IBM Netfinity or PC Server system board.
3
Updating your BIOS and firmware on your ServeRAID controller to the latest levels.
"Using FlashMan, the IBM ServeRAID ROM Update program" on page 74 explains how to quickly
and easily check the level of BIOS and firmware on your ServeRAID controllers. This program also
updates the BIOS and firmware for you.
4
Using the ServeRAID Manager program to configure your disk array.
Chapter 3, "Configuring controllers using the ServeRAID Manager program" explains how to use the
IBM ServeRAID Manager program. You can refer to the information in this chapter or the online
help in the programs when configuring one or more devices attached to a ServeRAID controller.
5
Installing your ServeRAID device drivers, operating system, and ServeRAID utility programs.
You can skip this step if you are installing multiple ServeRAID controllers and you already installed
your operating system and the most current versions of the ServeRAID device drivers and utility
programs.
To install these files for a ServeRAID-3H, ServeRAID-3HB or a ServeRAID-3L, see the
information provided with your operating system and Chapter 4, "Installing device drivers and
utility programs" on page 47 for instructions.
After you install the device drivers, refer to Chapter 3, "Configuring controllers using the ServeRAID
Manager program" on page 17.
3
Chapter 1. Getting started