Installing And Configuring Sas Hardware Raid; Introduction - HP Workstation xw4100 User Manual

6 Installing and configuring SAS
hardware RAID

Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of hardware RAID solutions for HP workstations running the Linux
operating system. It assumes a basic understanding of computer hardware, filesystems, and the Linux
operating system. It covers an overview of hardware RAID solutions, the differences between software
and hardware RAID offerings, and information regarding the configuration of hardware RAID on HP
Linux workstations.
There are different levels of hardware RAID available. Not all of them are supported options for HP Linux
workstations.
●
Hardware-assisted RAID is a step up from software RAID, but is not considered true hardware
RAID. Hardware-assisted SAS RAID uses the LSI megaraid driver already present in the Linux
kernel. It is provided by the LSI 3041E plug-in card on the HP xw4x00 and xw6x00 Workstation
series and by the LSI 1064 and 1068 controllers on the motherboard on the HP xw8000 and xw9000
Workstation series.
●
True hardware RAID, also known as raid-on-chip, or ROC, makes use of a dedicated RAID
processor. It is provided by the LSI 8344ELP and 8888ELP plug-in cards on the HP xw8x00 and
xw9x00 family platforms. SAS drives are the only drives supported for use with RAID on HP Linux
workstations.
● Hardware-assisted SATA RAID requires use of the dmraid interface, and is not supported on HP
Linux workstations.
ENWW Introduction 19