How do I configure hardware raid in a Poweredge 2850?

Question

I just bought a Dell Poweredge 2850 from Craigslist and for the most part I'm happy with it's $300 price-tag, but I cannot figure out where to configure the embedded hardware raid...

I've seen online you should hit <CTRL-M>, but while booting my box never says that. I have <CTRL-A> (I think) for an LSI Logic config, but that seems to just program SCSI and verify drives on my SCSI-A and SCSI-B. Anyone have a clue where this RAID config is?

Could you verify which, if any RAID controller is installed? The `CTRL+M` combo is for the Dell PERC card's BIOS. It is possible, as you mention LSI, that another, or no, card is installed. — jscott, Jun 27 '11 at 19:14
Have you looked at the DELL website? I'm sure they might have the procedure to do this. — mdpc, Jun 27 '11 at 19:15

mfinni · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-29T16:27:56.513

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Are you sure that you bought it with a PERC? It's optional, it might not be in there. Crack open the box and see what you've got.

If you hit F2 to go into the BIOS, you can also see what's configured there. I suppose it could be physically present but disabled in the BIOS.

As you found - the BIOS was configured to not use the RAID adapter. Once you enabled it, you see the option to get into the SCSI BIOS or config.

edited Jun 29 '11 at 16:27

answered Jun 27 '11 at 19:16

mfinni

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Thanks for the answer. Thats correct. Pasting link to documentation for reference [User Guide for DELL PowerEdge 2850](ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_ser_stor_net/esuprt_poweredge/poweredge-2850_User%27s%20Guide_en-us.pdf) (PDF) Page 18 – Janis Veinbergs Oct 01 '13 at 10:47

How do I configure hardware raid in a Poweredge 2850?

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