Issue:

I’d like to take advantage of RAID 1 on for an ESXi install on Cisco UCS M4/5 Blades.

You’ll need the SD Module in your server for this.

 

Resolution:

Like all UCS configuration, its a policy and it’s a bit more of an art to deploy than most of the UCS policies. (See troubleshooting as you’ll likely need to follow those steps)

  1. Navigate to the Storage tab on UCS Manager > Select Create new policy > disk group policy under storage tab – define RAID 1 (Mirror)
  2. Additional configuration is required, turn off under the ServersĀ  tab > Policies > Sub Org > “Your Name” > Local Disk Configuration Policy > esxi_sd_raid > MODE: “No local storage” <– this is set as the raid is handled in the flexflash config
  3. Once built, assuming your on a greenfield/test environment you will want to > Disassociate service profiles > Server Maintenance > reacknowldge….
  4. Wait to finish and re-associate the service template (assuming your using update profiles)

 

Troubleshooting:

You’ll find deploying ESXi may find the storage isn’t compatible or throwing out an error, to resolve:

  • Reset the FlexFlash Controller
  • Format the Controller
  • Assign 1 as auto sync

Links:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/servers-unified-computing/ucs-c-series-rack-servers/whitepaper-c11-734876.html