Configure Boot RAID Devices

Lists the procedures used to configure system boot RAID from NetApp, Inc.

In typical system installations, the RAID provides the storage for file systems used by the SMW, boot node, and SDB node. These file systems are prepared from LVM volumes in LVM volume groups using the physical volumes that are created on the RAID LUNs (logical unit numbers) or volumes. Proper configuration software should be used when assigning RAID LUNs. Failure to use the proper management tools when assigning RAID LUNs can lead to undiscoverable disk devices or boot failure. RAID units also provide user and scratch space and can be configured to support a variety of file systems. For more information about configuring RAID, see XC™ Series Lustre® Administration Guide (S-2648), which is provided with the CLE release package.

Prerequisites and Assumptions for Configuring the Boot RAID

Sites that require a long distance between the SMW, XC, and the boot RAID will use Fibre Channel (FC) components, while sites that have the SMW, XC, and boot RAID in the same area (within 10 meters) will typically use SAS as the interface for the boot RAID.

  • The SMW has an Ethernet connection to the Hardware Supervisory System (HSS) network.
  • The SMW has a Fibre Channel (FC) or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) connection to the boot RAID or to an FC or SAS switch.
  • The boot nodes have an FC or SAS connection to the boot RAID or to an FC or SAS switch.
  • The SDB nodes have an FC or SAS connection to the boot RAID or to an FC or SAS switch.

Boot RAID Configuration Procedures

Cray provides support for system boot RAID from NetApp, Inc.
Note: Cray ships systems with much of this software installed and configured. Performing all of the steps in these boot RAID procedures may not be necessary unless the configuration needs to be changed.
  1. Configure the boot RAID for a NetApp, Inc. storage system using the following procedures (reference Recommended Boot RAID LUN Values as needed). The first one installs the SANtricity Storage Manager Utility, which is used to perform the other procedures.
    1. Install SANtricity Storage Manager for NetApp, Inc. Devices
    2. Set Up Boot RAID Space for Direct-attached Lustre
    3. Create Boot RAID Volume Group and Volumes for NetApp, Inc. Devices
  2. Reboot the SMW and Verify LUNs are Recognized