Using the LSI Configuration Utility program

Use the LSI Configuration Utility program to configure and manage redundant array of independent disks (RAID) arrays.

Be sure to use this program as described in this document.

Use the LSI Configuration Utility program to perform the following tasks:
- Perform a low-level format on a hard disk drive
- Create an array of hard disk drives with or without a hot-spare drive
- Set protocol parameters on hard disk drives

The integrated SAS/SATA controller with RAID capabilities supports RAID arrays. You can use the LSI Configuration Utility program to configure RAID 1 (IM), RAID 1E (IME), and RAID 0 (IS) for a single pair of attached devices. If you install the optional ServeRAID-MR10i SAS/SATA controller, it provides RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 support. If you install a different type of RAID adapter, follow the instructions in the documentation that comes with the adapter to view or change settings for attached devices.

In addition, you can download an LSI command-line configuration program from IBM Support Portal.

When you are using the LSI Configuration Utility program to configure and manage arrays, consider the following information:

The integrated SAS/SATA controller with RAID capabilities supports the following features:
- Integrated Mirroring (IM) with hot-spare support (also known as RAID 1)
  Use this option to create an integrated array of two disks plus up to two optional hot spares. All data on the primary disk can be migrated.
- Integrated Mirroring Enhanced (IME) with hot-spare support (also known as RAID 1E)
  Use this option to create an integrated mirror enhanced array of three to eight disks, including up to two optional hot spares. All data on the array disks will be deleted.
- Integrated Striping (IS) (also known as RAID 0)
  Use this option to create an integrated striping array of two to eight disks. All data on the array disks will be deleted.
Hard disk drive capacities affect how you create arrays. The drives in an array can have different capacities, but the RAID controller treats them as if they all have the capacity of the smallest hard disk drive.
If you use an integrated SAS/SATA controller with RAID capabilities to configure a RAID 1 (mirrored) array after you have installed the operating system, you will lose access to any data or applications that were previously stored on the secondary drive of the mirrored pair.
If you install a different type of RAID controller, see the documentation that comes with the controller for information about viewing and changing settings for attached devices.