Dell EMC Boot Optimized Server Storage-S1 User's Guide September 2020 Rev.
Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. © 2017 - 2020 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents Chapter 1: Overview...................................................................................................................... 5 Supported operating systems...........................................................................................................................................6 Supported PowerEdge systems.......................................................................................................................................6 BOSS-S1 card specifications....
Creating a virtual disk.......................................................................................................................................................22 Deleting virtual disks.........................................................................................................................................................22 RAID rebuild.................................................................................................................................................
1 Overview BOSS-S1 is a simple RAID solution card designed specifically for booting a server's operating system. The card supports up to two 6 Gbps M.2 SATA drives. The BOSS-S1 adapter card has a x8 connector using PCIe gen 2.0 x2 lanes, available only in the low-profile and full-height form factors. The BOSS-S1 modular card has a dedicated slot in modular servers. NOTE: BOSS-S1 card allows you to create only one virtual disk from the available physical disks.
• • • • • • • • Update the BOSS-S1 controller Update the BOSS-S1 firmware Firmware update using an operating system-specific DUP Firmware update using UEFI Shell Firmware update using BOSS-S1 CLI Firmware update using iDRAC Firmware update using Lifecycle Controller Related documentation Supported operating systems See Dell EMC Enterprise operating systems support for a list of supported operating systems by a specific server for the BOSSS1 card.
BOSS-S1 card specifications The following table lists the BOSS-S1 card feature specifications: Table 1. BOSS-S1 card feature specifications Feature BOSS-S1 card RAID levels RAID 1 Stripe size Supports default 64K stripe size only Battery backup unit No Non-volatile cache No Virtual disk cache function Write through Maximum number of virtual disks 1 Maximum number of drives supported 2 Support for Non-RAID disks Yes (supports up to two disks) Drive types 6 Gbps M.
BOSS-S1 CLI Utility also supports ESXi. For more information about CLI commands, see BOSS-S1 CLI commands on page 24. NOTE: To use the mvsetup Windows utility, the BOSS-S1 management driver must first be installed. You can download the latest Windows unified console driver from www.dell.com/support/home Linux/ESXi mvcli does not require a driver. NOTE: To remove mvcli from operating systems, uninstall BOSS-S1 drivers from the operating systems or remove the libraries and the executable files.
5. Verify the installed firmware version in HII or using BOSS-S1 CLI. Firmware update using Linux DUP Perform the following steps to update using Linux: NOTE: Ensure that you have Root/Sudo privileges for Linux/ESXi. 1. Download the latest Dell Update Package (DUP) for Linux from the www.dell.com/support/home. 2. Go to the downloaded file path and provide the permissions to execute the DUP file. 3. Execute the BIN file ./SAS-RAID_Firmware_xxxxx_xxxx_xxx.bin. 4. When prompted, press Q to proceed.
Table 3. Supported SubDevice ID (continued) SubDevice ID Firmware Binary Link 1FDF (Modular) ImageA1.bin 4. Run mvsetup.exe. 5. To flash the firmware, run the command flash –a update –f ImageA1_xxxx.bin –t raw in the CLI shell. 6. Exit and reboot the system, and verify the firmware version. NOTE: Administrator privileges for Windows and Root/Sudo for Linux are recommended.
Example of the file name: SAS- RAID_Firmware_xxxxx_xxxx_xxx.exe. 2. Open Virtual Console and boot into Lifecycle Controller by pressing F10 at boot time. 3. Select Get the Latest firmware on the dashboard window. 4. Select Local Drive (CD/DVD/USB). Enter the name of EXE file and select Update. 5. After successful installation, reboot and verify the installed firmware version in the HII, iDRAC, or BOSS-S1 CLI.
2 Features The BOSS-S1 card supports the following features: Topics: • • • • • • • Foreign import SMART info Auto-rebuild Non-RAID disk support TRIM Quick initialization Erase physical disk Foreign import A virtual disk is considered foreign if it is not native to the adapter. ● A virtual disk is considered native to the adapter if: ○ the virtual disk was created or imported on the adapter.
Non-RAID disk support By default, all disks are in an unconfigured state. NOTE: ● For the BOSS-S1 card, unconfigured drives are automatically non-RAID drives. To convert RAID drives to non-RAID drives, delete the virtual disk. ● The BOSS-S1 only supports one configured (RAID) and two unconfigured states. The BOSS-S1 card does not break unconfigured drives into RAID and non-RAID states.
3 Deploying the BOSS-S1 card This section provides a set of high-level installation and removal instructions for the BOSS-S1 card. Topics: • • Removing the BOSS-S1 card Installing the BOSS-S1 card Removing the BOSS-S1 card CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team.
Figure 4. Removing the BOSS-S1 modular card a. BOSS-S1 modular card b. card connector on the system board Removing the M.2 SSD module from the BOSS-S1 card CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
Figure 5. Removing the M.2 SSD module from the BOSS-S1 adapter card a. module connector (2) b. screw (2) c. M.2 SSD module (2) Figure 6. Removing the M.2 SSD module from the BOSS-S1 modular card a. module connector b. M.2 SSD module Installing the M.2 SSD module on BOSS-S1 card CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.
Tighten the screw to secure the M.2 SSD module to the card. Figure 7. Installing M.2 SSD module on the BOSS-S1 card a. module connector (2) b. screw (2) c. M.2 SSD module (2) Figure 8. Installing the M.2 SSD module on the BOSS-S1 modular card a. module connector b. M.2 SSD module Installing the BOSS-S1 card CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.
NOTE: It is recommended that you always use a static mat and static strap while working on components in the interior of the system. 2. Open the system. 3. Hold the card by its edges and align the card connector with the connector on the system board. CAUTION: To prevent damage to the card, hold the card by its edges only. 4. Press the card-edge down until the card is fully seated. 5. If you are installing a modular card, tighten the screw that secures the card to the system board. 6. Close the system. 7.
4 Driver installation The BOSS-S1 card uses the native AHCI driver of the supported operating systems. Windows driver installation — The Driver Update Package (DUP) updates the unified console driver on the systems running Windows Server 2012 R2 and later operating systems. A DUP is an executable application that updates drivers for specific devices. A DUP supports command line interface and silent execution. For more information, see www.dell.com/support/home.
5 UEFI or HII RAID configuration utility The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) RAID configuration utility is a storage management application integrated into the system BIOS . It is used to configure and manage RAID disk groups, virtual disks, and physical disks. This utility is independent of the operating system. The following topics provide information about using the UEFI RAID configuration utility. For more information, see the online help option in the UEFI RAID configuration utility.
Entering the BOSS-S1 configuration utility 1. Enter the UEFI configuration utility. See Entering the UEFI RAID configuration utility The Device Settings screen displays a list of NIC ports and the BOSS-S1 configuration utility. 2. To enter BOSS-S1 configuration utility, click BOSS-S1 Configuration Utility.
7. Click Back untill you return to the screen. 8. Click Finish, and then click Yes to save the settings. Creating a virtual disk 1. Enter the BOSS-S1 Configuration Utility. See Entering the BOSS-S1 Configuration Utility. 2. Click Create RAID Configuration. 3. Select the physical disks. 4. Click Next. 5. Type a name for the virtual disk in the Name field. NOTE: Adding special characters in the virtual disk name is not supported. 6.
Clear controller configuration The clear config operation is used to clear RAID metadata from the adapter. NOTE: The clear config operation does not delete any data on the virtual disk. 1. Click Controller information. 2. Select Clear Config. 3. Click OK.
6 BOSS-S1 CLI commands This section provides information about the methods to use the BOSS-S1 command line interface (CLI) for performing a variety of controller and enclosure specific operations.
NOTE: ESXi 6.5 U1 or ESXi 6.0 U3 P06 is the minimum requirement to install the BOSS-S1 CLI utility. Supported BOSS-S1 CLI commands The following table lists the supported BOSS-S1 command line interface (CLI) commands. For more information about the commands, type > help. NOTE: The BOSS-S1 CLI utility only supports the following commands: Table 5. Supported CLI commands CLI commands Description Windows Usage Linux / VMware Usage info -o hba Display BOSS-S1 controller information.
7 Troubleshooting To get help with your Dell BOSS-S1 card, you can contact your Dell Technical Service representative or see https:// www.dell.com/support. Topics: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Importing BOSS ESXi CLI offline bundle may fail in VSphere Lifecycle manager BOSS ESXi CLI package fails when upgrading from Dell EMC customized versions of 6.7.x to version 7.0 M.
Corrective Action: Remove the driver packages before attempting an upgrade using the command esxcli software vib remove -n . NOTE: The ESXi must be gracefully rebooted to complete the driver packages removal before upgrading. For more information, see https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/78389. M.2 drive firmware update from iDRAC fails on unconfigured drives with an existing adapter key on the BOSS-S1 controller Issue: M.
Probable Cause: Using the BOSS-S1 CLI, when you run the CLI commands using non-administrative user privileges, the error No Adapter found is displayed. Corrective Action: Use root/sudo administrator privilege while you run the CLI commands. LC log displays fan unavailability error Issue: LC log displays The BOSS-S1 device does not have a fan installed in it error message. Probable Cause: Currently there is no fan requirement for BOSS-S1, which might be required in future based on M.
Corrective Action: It is recommended that you check the BOSS-S1 CLI for status. NOTE: BOSS-S1 Command Line Interface (CLI) and Dell EMC Open Manage Storage Services only report events for the tasks that are completed. Virtual disk state will be generated twice Issue: Events related to virtual disk state will be generated twice in BOSS-S1 CLI and Open Manage Storage Services (OMSS). Probable Cause: This occurs when Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers perform a cold reboot.
Virtual disk not visible to operating system Issue: In RAID mode a virtual disk is not appearing for use by an operating system. Probable Cause: Virtual disks will not be presented to the system if they are not native to the controller. Corrective Action: Import the virtual disk via HII as specified in section Virtual Disk Import. Drive replacement Issue: An installed drive is not listed in the BOSS-S1 configuration utility. OpenManage reports Physical disk offline state.
CLI reports unsupported features Issue: Several commands, options, or other features listed by the CLI state that they are unsupported when run. Probable Cause: CLI shows the same information on all Marvell products, but only implements the functions which are pertinent to that platform or system. Corrective Action: Use supported features. Failure to install ESXi on RAID 1 Issue: Attempting to install ESXi on a RAID 1 results in an invalid partition table error.
8 Getting help You can get help with your Dell product by contacting Dell, or send feedback on product documentation. Topics: • • Contacting Dell EMC Documentation feedback Contacting Dell EMC Dell EMC provides several online and telephone based support and service options. If you do not have an active internet connection, you can find contact information about your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or Dell EMC product catalog.
