Users Guide

Configuring Virtual Disks
When configuring the virtual disks, you should consider the workload intended; RAID1: for simple boot disk; RAID5 or 6: for file or
web servers (sequential reads/writes of files); RAID10: for transactional database (small random reads and writes).
Virtual disks configured on hard drives should use the controller default cache setting of Write Back and Read Ahead.
Virtual disks configured on SSDs can use the same controller defaults settings as hard drives. Most users perform a copy of OS
files or a data base to the new array. This setting provides optimum performance in this configuration.
Once the copy is complete, the array can be used as it is depending on the number and type of SSDs. It is recommended to
enable FastPath by changing the controller's Write cache policy to Write Through and the Read cache policy to No Read Ahead.
FastPath is developed to achieve the best random read/write performance from SSDs.
Only IO block sizes smaller than the virtual disk's stripe size are eligible for FastPath. In addition, there should be no background
operations (rebuild, initialization) running on the virtual disks. FastPath is disabled if there is active background operation.
NOTE: RAID 50, and RAID 60 virtual disks cannot use FastPath.
NOTE: The Physical Disk Power Management feature is not applicable to FastPath-capable virtual disks.
Performing expand virtual disk operation
To enable expand virtual disk feature from the HII Configuration Utility, perform the following steps:
1. Enter the Dell PERC 10 Configuration Utility. See Navigating to Dell PERC 10 configuration utility.
2. Click Main Menu > Virtual Disk Management.
The list of virtual disks is displayed.
3. Select the virtual disk.
4. From the Operations drop-down menu, select Expand Virtual Disk.
NOTE: You can view the Expand Virtual Disk feature only if there is free space available in the associated disk group.
5. Click Go.
6. To expand virtual disk, enter the percentage of available capacity, and then click Ok.
A screen is displayed asking if you are sure you want to perform the operation.
7. Select the Confirm option.
8. Click Yes.
The expand virtual disk operation is completed successfully.
Performing consistency check
To enable consistency check from the HII Configuration Utility, perform the following steps:
1. Enter the Dell PERC 10 Configuration Utility. See Navigating to Dell PERC 10 configuration utility.
2. Click Main Menu > Virtual Disk Management.
The list of virtual disks is displayed.
3. Select the virtual disk.
NOTE: Consistency check cannot be run on RAID 0 virtual disks.
4. From the Operations drop-down menu, select Check Consistency.
5. Click Go.
A screen is displayed asking if you are sure you want to perform the operation.
6. Select the Confirm option.
7. Click Yes.
The consistency check operation is completed successfully.
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HII configuration utility