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Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview 17
2.5.2 RAID configurations
The Models 6C1 and 6E1 offer under-the-covers SCSI RAID configurations. Internal RAID
provides an excellent means to protect customer data, or to provide flexible storage solutions
for performance-oriented applications. When used in combination with AIX mirroring and the
available media bay disk drive mounting kit (# 6566), a reliable solution for operating system
and customer data can be provided.
To configure a system, the internal Ultra3 SCSI backplane for hot-swap storage (# 6567)
must be included with the order as well as an available RAID PCI adapter card (such as the #
2498). The 3-Drop SCSI cable (# 4259) must be ordered as well as the SCSI RAID adapter to
backplane cable (# 4258), and additional cables depending on your media bay configuration.
The following points should be considered when selecting an internal RAID configuration.
Use of the RAID configuration with DVD-RAM or SCSI tape devices requires a dedicated
SCSI adapter in order not to impact boot device performance if present.
A dedicated boot device must be accessible to the system. The media bays may be used
for this purpose.
Mirrored boot disks should be considered to provide high-reliability to the AIX operating
system.
The RAID controller’s configuration should be backed up and stored in a safe place to
prevent accidental loss of data during a RAID adapter replacement procedure.
2.5.3 Boot options and limitations
Information about boot options is included in the subsequent sections.
Boot support and limitations of storage adapters
At the time of writing, the following adapters support external boot for the Models 6C1 and
6E1:
PCI Dual Channel Ultra3 SCSI Adapter (# 6203)
PCI Universal Differential Ultra SCSI Adapter (# 6204)
PCI Single-Ended Ultra SCSI Adapter (# 6206)
Advanced SerialRAID Plus Adapter (# 6230)
The PCI 4-Channel Ultra3 SCSI RAID Adapter (# 2498) does not support boot from external
or internal devices.
The PCI Single-Ended Ultra SCSI Adapter (# 6206) is only supported when used for
externally attached storage.
Zero or one internal SCSI disk in media bay 0 and
one SCSI DVD-RAM drive in media bay 1.
One internal disk drive could be installed in media
bay 0 mounted behind the operator panel. The
SCSI DVD-RAM drive needs to be mounted in
media bay 1. You will need the SCSI Connector
Cable and Repeater Card (# 4248) and the SCSI
3-Drop Connector Cable (# 4249) to attach the
drives to the system.
Configuration options, a combination of: