====== Configure RAID on a Dell Server ======

For Dell servers, you use the Dell PowerEdge RAID Controller (PERC) to create a RAID volume that uses all physical disks on a server.

:!: VMware recommends that you use RAID5 for SAS drives and RAID6 for SATA drives.

===== Procedure =====

  - Start or restart the Dell PowerEdge server.
  - Press Ctrl+R to access the Perc 6/I Integrated BIOS Configuration Utility.
    * The configuration utility opens and shows the VD Mgmt tab.
  - To create a new virtual disk, press F2 and select Create New VD.
  - Select an appropriate RAID configuration from the RAID Level drop-down menu.
    * VMware recommends that you use RAID 5, 6, or 10.
  - Under Physical Disks, select the hard disks that you want to include in the virtual disk.
  - Select OK and press Enter.
    * The virtual disk is created.
  - Expand the Disk Group option, and under Virtual Disks
    * Select the newly created virtual disk and press F2 to open the Operations menu.
  - From the Operations menu, select **Initialization > Start Init** to initialize the new virtual disk.
    * The new RAID volume is ready for use.