Creation of RAID with MegaRAID-controller in BIOS

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In this article, it is described how to create a RAID with the help of a MegaRAID controller in the BIOS.

Requirements

RAID 1

RAID 1: all data is mirrored

At least two unconfigured hard drives are required for a RAID 1.

  • Step 1: Start the server and switch to the BIOS. Open the Advanced tap there.
    Step 1: Start the server and switch to the BIOS. Open the Advanced tap there.
  • Step 2: Select the Broadcom MegaRAID Configuration Utility menu item.
    Step 2: Select the Broadcom MegaRAID Configuration Utility menu item.
  • Step 3: Verify the state of the controller as well as the recognized drives and navigate to the Main Menu.
    Step 3: Verify the state of the controller as well as the recognized drives and navigate to the Main Menu.
  • Step 4: Open Configuration Management in the MegaRaid menu.
    Step 4: Open Configuration Management in the MegaRaid menu.
  • Step 5: Select Create Virtual Drive to create a new virtual drive.
    Step 5: Select Create Virtual Drive to create a new virtual drive.
  • Step 6: Under Select RAID Level, set the RAID type to RAID 1.
    Step 6: Under Select RAID Level, set the RAID type to RAID 1.
  • Step 7: Open Select Drives and mark both drives that should be used for the RAID.
    Step 7: Open Select Drives and mark both drives that should be used for the RAID.
  • Step 8: Confirm the selection of drives.
    Step 8: Confirm the selection of drives.
  • Step 9: Verify the parameters of the virtual drive and safe the configuration with Save Configuration and exit the Utility.
    Step 9: Verify the parameters of the virtual drive and safe the configuration with Save Configuration and exit the Utility.

After successful creation of the RAID-compound, it is displayed in the Main Menu that 1 Drive Group and 1 Virtual Drive are now available.

RAID 5 / RAID 6

RAID 5: Parity information is distributed across all data carriers. If one data carrier fails and is replaced by a new one, the original content can be reconstructed.
RAID 6: Double parity information allows two data carriers to fail without data loss.

At least three unconfigured hard drives are required for RAID 5.

However, at least four unconfigured hard drives are required for RAID 6.

  • Step 1: Start the server and switch to the BIOS. Open the Advanced tab.
    Step 1: Start the server and switch to the BIOS. Open the Advanced tab.
  • Step 2: Select the Broadcom MegaRAID Configuration Utility menu point.
    Step 2: Select the Broadcom MegaRAID Configuration Utility menu point.
  • Step 3: Verify the state of the controller as well as the recognized drives and navigate to the Main Menu.
    Step 3: Verify the state of the controller as well as the recognized drives and navigate to the Main Menu.
  • Step 4: Open the Configuration Management item in the MegaRAID menu.
    Step 4: Open the Configuration Management item in the MegaRAID menu.
  • Step 5: Select Create Virtual Drive to create a new virtual drive.
    Step 5: Select Create Virtual Drive to create a new virtual drive.
  • Step 6: Under Select RAID Level, set the RAID type to RAID 5 or RAID 6.
    Step 6: Under Select RAID Level, set the RAID type to RAID 5 or RAID 6.
  • Step 7: Open Select Drives and mark and select the drives to be used for the RAID.
    Step 7: Open Select Drives and mark and select the drives to be used for the RAID.
  • Step 8: Confirm the selection of drives.
    Step 8: Confirm the selection of drives.
  • Step 9: Verify the parameters of the virtual drive and safe the configuration with Save Configuration and exit the Utility.
    Step 9: Verify the parameters of the virtual drive and safe the configuration with Save Configuration and exit the Utility.

After successfully creating the RAID array, it is displayed in the Main Menu that 1 Drive Group and 1 Virtual Drive are now available.

Completion

After saving the configuration, the RAID is available as a virtual drive and can now be used.

Author: Adrian Zillner

Adrian Zillner has been working in Technical Service at Thomas-Krenn AG since May 2025. He is responsible for supporting customers and answering questions about technical issues.

Translator: Alina Ranzinger

Alina has been working at Thomas-Krenn.AG since 2024. After her training as multilingual business assistant, she got her job as assistant of the Product Management and is responsible for the translation of texts and for the organisation of the department.