Hi,
We just received our new Dell server.
A PowerEdge 2800 with a Adaptec Perc 4e/DC controller.
Have 4 disks in a raid-5 configuration and 2 disks
in a raid-0 configuration ... so, 2 'local' disks
/dev/sda and /dev/sdb.
I can't install Slackware 10.0, because I can't use fdisk
or cfisk.
I used the kernels adaptec.s and scsi3.s but no succes.
I tried 'fdisk /dev/sda', but I can't read or write to
the disks ... What I do wrong?
Or is there no support for this raid controller yet?
Thanks in advance,
Jacq

jacq@witech.nl wrote:
> Hi,
> We just received our new Dell server.
> A PowerEdge 2800 with a Adaptec Perc 4e/DC controller.
> Have 4 disks in a raid-5 configuration and 2 disks
> in a raid-0 configuration ... so, 2 'local' disks
> /dev/sda and /dev/sdb.
> I can't install Slackware 10.0, because I can't use fdisk
> or cfisk.
> I used the kernels adaptec.s and scsi3.s but no succes.
> I tried 'fdisk /dev/sda', but I can't read or write to
> the disks ... What I do wrong?
> Or is there no support for this raid controller yet?

Hello, we got a PE2850 recently, and while it isn't running yet (because
they forgot to give us some way to get SCSI outside the box to the tape
unit), I have booted Slackware 10.1 from a custom CD on it so I know it
does work. You need to use the "megaraid2" driver for the Perc. I think
that is included with the "scsi2.s" Slackware kernel, so you might want to
try that one first, before doing the custom kernel thing. (I used the 2.4.x
kernel, by the way.)

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In alt.os.linux.slackware, jacq dared to utter,
> Hi,
> We just received our new Dell server.
> A PowerEdge 2800 with a Adaptec Perc 4e/DC controller.
> Have 4 disks in a raid-5 configuration and 2 disks
> in a raid-0 configuration ... so, 2 'local' disks
> /dev/sda and /dev/sdb.
> I can't install Slackware 10.0, because I can't use fdisk
> or cfisk.

First things first, STFW. In the last five minutes I've gone through
and figured out exactly what kind of controller you have. NOTE: Adaptec
doesn't make anything called a "Perc"[0]. That's just a name Dell gives
just about any RAID controller. Your card is as best I can figure, and
Adaptec 39160, but lspci could tell you more. The kernel you need to
use for that is adaptec.s IIRC.

> I used the kernels adaptec.s and scsi3.s but no succes.
> I tried 'fdisk /dev/sda', but I can't read or write to
> the disks ... What I do wrong?

First thing you did wrong was not do a google search for:
linux install "adaptec 39160"

Very first hit tells you what module you need in your kernel.
Hint: aic7xxx

My advice, check your SCSI controller's BIOS, setup the RAID arrays
again, boot the installer with the adaptec.s kernel, and try again.

[0] PowerEdge Expandable RAID Controller

- --
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise,
Than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:5
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ljb schreef:
> jacq@witech.nl wrote:
>
>>Hi,
>>We just received our new Dell server.
>>A PowerEdge 2800 with a Adaptec Perc 4e/DC controller.
>>Have 4 disks in a raid-5 configuration and 2 disks
>>in a raid-0 configuration ... so, 2 'local' disks
>>/dev/sda and /dev/sdb.
>>I can't install Slackware 10.0, because I can't use fdisk
>>or cfisk.
>>I used the kernels adaptec.s and scsi3.s but no succes.
>>I tried 'fdisk /dev/sda', but I can't read or write to
>>the disks ... What I do wrong?
>>Or is there no support for this raid controller yet?
>
>
> Hello, we got a PE2850 recently, and while it isn't running yet (because
> they forgot to give us some way to get SCSI outside the box to the tape
> unit), I have booted Slackware 10.1 from a custom CD on it so I know it
> does work. You need to use the "megaraid2" driver for the Perc. I think
> that is included with the "scsi2.s" Slackware kernel, so you might want to
> try that one first, before doing the custom kernel thing. (I used the 2.4.x
> kernel, by the way.)

Hmmm ... now I feel stupid.
It's not an Adaptec indeed. Al the BIOS talks about is PERC4e/DC.
The on-board SCSI controller is a LSI 1020/1030.
But no way I can find out yet what it is exactly.
Maybe when I have installed everything I can use lspci.
Anyway, I used scsi2.s ... and it works!
Thanks guys.
Installing now ...

jacq@witech.nl wrote:
>...
> Hmmm ... now I feel stupid.
> It's not an Adaptec indeed. Al the BIOS talks about is PERC4e/DC.
> The on-board SCSI controller is a LSI 1020/1030.
> But no way I can find out yet what it is exactly.
> Maybe when I have installed everything I can use lspci.
> Anyway, I used scsi2.s ... and it works!

Don't feel stupid. Dell doesn't make it too easy. The on-board controller
may be an LSI logic chip, but (as explained to me by a Dell tech) when you
add the RAID riser card it takes over the LSI chip and it won't work with
the LSI driver. Or something like that. Anyway, be sure to look at the
mailing lists and other good stuff at http://linux.dell.com - I found lots
of good Linux info there for the PowerEdge.