Does Dell MD3000 support RAID10? What is needed?

[micromax]

I am trying to setup a RAID10 array, with 2 Windows Server 2008 R2 servers (64-bit naturally).
I am using Dell MD3000 as the storage enclosure.

Does the Dell MD3000 enclosure support RAID10, and what all is needed to accomplish RAID10?

Thanks.

 

[jman_26]

Yes, I just configured a RAID10 with a Dell MD3000 (not the MD3000i - just the MD3000, which is SAS).
You need
1) An even number of drives, minimum of 2, but I would say 3, so you can configure a 'hot spare' (2008 server MDSM - Modular Disk Storage Manager) automatically allocates any 3rd/extra disk as a hot spare when you set it up).
2) 2nd generation (latest) MD3000 firmware, obtainable from Dell.
3) If applicable, latest firmware for your particular hard drives
4) 2 or more disk drives, cables, power and o/s.

That's about it. Once you update the MD3000 firmware, load Windows Server 2008 R2 on at least one server, and install on that server the Dell Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM), it will let you setup the RAID1/10 as an option in the software configuration. The MDSM software talks directly in-band to the MD3000. It's actually pretty cool.

 

[micromax]

Best answer selected by micromax.

 

[micromax]

Thank you very much. I will upgrade the firmware and give it a try.

 

[GhislainG]

Just to clarify, you'll need a minimum of 4 drives for a RAID 1+0 configuration.

 

[jman_26]

Oops! You are correct, indeed, GhislainG, "Groups of 4" drives - not 2!
Thanks for the catch! And I actually ran into the issue of 'groupings,' so I should have remembered that! It will NOT allow less than a 'group of 4' for the RAID 1+0 (aka RAID 10). So really, FIVE drives is the minimum, since you should have a hot spare - and their config almost forces you to have a hot spare.