SSD NVMe is not supported for Raid !!

[Fateh]

Hello,

I have just got a new server ProLiant G10 with 3 SSD NVMe. The surprise was that HP server does not support RAID configuration. I was told that I have to dedicate one expensive SSD only to install Oracle Linux then I have to configure RAID 1 from the OS level. 

This makes no sense at all. How to dedicate one SSD for the OS without RAID. What if this SSD fails?

Did anyone come through the same experience? 

[Jimmy Vance]

The document explains disk contoller options for Gen10 ProLiant.  

HPE Smart Array SR Gen10 User Guide
https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-a00019059en_us

If your server is using the S100i controller,  it is essentially software RAID as the RAID function is controlled by a software driver.  The RAID feature of this controller is not supported for Linux.  You can use either and "H" or "P" series hardware based Smart Array controllers. Another option is to use the LSRRB (Linux Software Raid Redundant Boot) solution with the S100i in SATA AHCI mode.  LSRRB utilizes the RAID 1 functionality built into the OS, with the addition of making both drives bootable https://downloads.linux.hpe.com/SDR/project/lsrrb/

[Fateh]

Dear Jimmy,

Thank you. Very helpful. I just reviewed the parts and noticed that the controller is:

HPE Smart Array P408i-a SR Gen10 (8 Internal
Lanes/2GB Cache) 12G SAS Modular Controller.

804331-B21

.

So, just to be clear, the RAID in my case (NVMe) can be configured via an additional HP hardware, and it does not necessarily need to be configured on the OS level, right?

[Jimmy Vance]

If your SSD's are connected to the P408, yes you can configure RAID at the hardware level . You didn't mention which server or which version of Oracle Linux, but the minimum suported versions are listed here

http://h17007.www1.hpe.com/us/en/enterprise/servers/supportmatrix/exceptions/oel_exceptions.aspx

[Fateh]

Sorry, 

The environment is:

Oracle Linux 7.4 which looks covered in the link you sent.

Hardware is HPE DL380 Gen10 as the below details:

HPE 32GB 2Rx4 PC4-2666V-R Smart Kit 1

826689-B21 HPE DL38X NVMe 8 SSD Express Bay 1

826860-B21 HPE DL380 Gen10 6144 Xeon-G Kit Confidential Info Erased 1
733664-B21 HPE 2U CMA for Easy Install Rail Kit 1
826706-B21 HPE DL380 Gen10 High Perf Heatsink Kit 1
815100-B21 HPE 32GB 2Rx4 PC4-2666V-R Smart Kit 1

---

815100-B21 HPE 32GB 2Rx4 PC4-2666V-R Smart Kit 1

---

865414-B21 HPE 800W FS Plat Ht Plg LH Pwr Sply Kit 1

---

875595-B21 HPE 800GB NVMe x4 MU SFF Scn DS SSD --- 1
875595-B21 HPE 800GB NVMe x4 MU SFF Scn DS SSD --- 1
804331-B21 HPE Smart Array P408i-a SR Gen10 Ctrlr 1

---

815100-B21 HPE 32GB 2Rx4 PC4-2666V-R Smart Kit 1

---

865414-B21 HPE 800W FS Plat Ht Plg LH Pwr Sply Kit

 ---

875595-B21 HPE 800GB NVMe x4 MU SFF Scn DS SSD --- 1
867810-B21 HPE DL38X Gen10 High Perf Fan 1
868703-B21 HPE DL380 Gen10 8SFF CTO Server Confidential Info Erased 1
867807-B21 HPE DL38X Gen10 4-port Slim SAS Riser 1

826860-L21 HPE DL380 Gen10 6144 Xeon-G FIO Kit

[SwapnilGupta]

Yes Fateh!!

Your understanding is corerct.

SSD NVMe architechture is not designed around hardware RAID, that is why it is not supported by Hardware RAID.

SSD NVMe are installed on PCIe cards and not controlled by Storage controller, that is why SSD NVMe is not supported on Hardware RAID. These drives are desgined for very high peromance.

You can only create a Hardware RAID if Storage devices are connected directly to the Storage Controller.

However, once these drives are recognized in OS, then at OS Level you can create the Software RAID.

[Fateh]

Thanks,

Also, as I got, NVMe support ONLY RAID 1. Is that correct?

[Dennis Handly]

> NVMe support ONLY RAID 1.

Or more precisely, the software only supports RAID 1.

[Paul_J_K]

NVMe drives are attached to the PCIe interface directly and do not have a dedicated hardware RAID engine similar to SAS controllers,
therefore, RAID is only supported through the operating system software (e.g., Windows mirror, Linux MD, etc.).

Refer: https://h20195.www2.hpe.com/v2/getpdf.aspx/4aa6-3464enw.pdf

[James W Laming]

This is not 100% True,

It may be true of HPE who dropped the ball massivly on the Gen 10 and did not Certify for Intel vROC  and thus missed the boat for the generation but is not true for any vendor who did certify.

NVMe dose attach directly via PCI to the CPU but luckily Intel included a feature in thier chips "vROC" to offer hardware assisted NVMe Raid and it works very well with all Intel NVMe i have tried Optane and 4600.