Installation of SupremeRAID on Windows server operating systems

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This article describes the creation and configuration of NVMe RAIDs in Windows server systems with SupremeRAID controllers. The controllers of the manufacturer Graid Technology Inc. uses for arrays GPU technology and a special software. They are wireless usable and avoid additional load on working memory or main processors.

Installation of RAID controllers

Abb. 1: WebGUI of a SupremeRAID controller

Before you can set up a RAID with the SupremeRAID controller, you have to install the required driver on your Windows server system. In the following paragraphs, the process is explained.

Requirements

To use the SupremeRAID controller, you require a host system with the following minimal specifications [1]:

  • CPU: 8 cores and 2 GHz clocking
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • PCIe: Gen3 or Gen4 x16
  • NVMe: compatible data carrier
  • operating system: Windows Server 2019

A list of compatible data carriers, current drivers as well as minimal requirements can also be found on the website of the manufacturer [2].

hint(state: February 2025): SupremeRAID controller can only be used for storage media. The use as boot medium is not possible!

Installation of driver with Silent Install

First, the required drivers for the controller have to be installed. For this, we perform a "Silent Install" in the Windows powershell[3].

Required files

Please download the following files:

Performance

Please move the files to a shared folder. Then, open the Powershell and navigate with cd .\yourfolder to your folder.

Example: We move the files into the folder.\Downloads\GRAID. Then, navigate in the powershell with cd .\Downloads\GRAID\ to this folder.

Next, start the Silent Install:

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File silent_install.ps1

Important:If you receive an error message after the execution of this command, you can read here how to fix this error!

After this, the installation is completed. The controller should now be found in the device manager.

RAID configuration

Abb. 2:finding out IP-address via CMD

After the installation, you can start with the configuration of your desired RAID arrays. This can be performed with a "GUI" or via command line.

In the following, you will find the instructions with the help of the graphical user interface.

Setup of the GUI

In the following, you will find the step by step instructions for the setup of the graphical user interface:

  1. You need an additional driver package for your controller that you can find via: Graid Tech. Windows driver package.
  2. Execute the file after the download and follow the installation assistant.
  3. After a successful installation, you can connect via Webbrowser with the GUI. For this, you need to know the IP address of your device.
    1. To find out the IP address, open CMD and type in the following command ipconfig (paragraph 2).
  4. Now, you can type in the just determined IP address with prefixed https:// and the Port 50060 to reach the "GUI".
  5. In the "GUI", you can log in with the username admin and the password set during installation.
  6. Next, you have to type in your license key to get the final access to the "GUI".
  7. After you have typed in this key, you will be forced to restart your system.

After the restart, the "GUI" is completely available (paragraph 1).

Creation of RAID compound

In the following gallery, you will find the instructions for the setup of a NVMe RAID compound via WebGUI of your SupremeRAID controller:

  • Choose the orange marked symbol and click on NVMe Drives. Here, all available data carriers are displayed.
    Choose the orange marked symbol and click on NVMe Drives. Here, all available data carriers are displayed.
  • Drag your mouse pointer to the highlighted symbol on the left side. A dropdown menu will be opened. Click on Physical Drives. After this, click on Create.
    Drag your mouse pointer to the highlighted symbol on the left side. A dropdown menu will be opened. Click on Physical Drives. After this, click on Create.
  • Now, you can choose all desired NVMes by setting of a Select Drive. Click on Create for the creation of a Physical Drive
    Now, you can choose all desired NVMes by setting of a Select Drive. Click on Create for the creation of a Physical Drive
  • After a successful performance, the "Physical Drives" are displayed.
    After a successful performance, the "Physical Drives" are displayed.
  • To create a RAID, a "Drive Group" has to be created. Click, as marked, on Drive Groups and then on Create.
    To create a RAID, a "Drive Group" has to be created. Click, as marked, on Drive Groups and then on Create.
  • Here, the desired RAID level and the desired NVMEs can be choosen.
    Here, the desired RAID level and the desired NVMEs can be choosen.
  • The "Drive Group",which has just been created, is now displayed.
    The "Drive Group",which has just been created, is now displayed.
  • To complete the process, click on Virtual Drives and then on Create as shown in the screenshot.
    To complete the process, click on Virtual Drives and then on Create as shown in the screenshot.
  • Here, you can choose the previous created Drive Group and create the RAID with one click on Create. Under the Virtual Drive Size setting, you can adjust the volume of the RAID as required.
    Here, you can choose the previous created Drive Group and create the RAID with one click on Create. Under the Virtual Drive Size setting, you can adjust the volume of the RAID as required.
  • The previous created Virtual Drive is shown.
    The previous created Virtual Drive is shown.

Configuration of Hot-Spare NVME

A hot spare data carrier is an emergency data carrier in a RAID compound. The RAID uses a "Hot Spare" if another data carrier of the arrays fails.

In the following, you will find the instructions of a "hot spare" data carrier:

  • Click on the third symbol in the left selection bar and then on Physical Drives. After this, choose the NVMe that you would like to use as "hot spare".
    Click on the third symbol in the left selection bar and then on Physical Drives. After this, choose the NVMe that you would like to use as "hot spare".
  • After this, another menu opens. Click on hot spare. In the following menu, set the slider to Enable Hot-Spare.
    After this, another menu opens. Click on hot spare. In the following menu, set the slider to Enable Hot-Spare.
  • Now you have the choice. You can declare the NVMe as Global hot spare. If several RAID arrays are used, the data carrier is then used as a hot spare' for all existing RAID arrays.
    Now you have the choice. You can declare the NVMe as Global hot spare. If several RAID arrays are used, the data carrier is then used as a hot spare' for all existing RAID arrays.
  • You can assign the NVMe to a determined Drive Group as "hot spare". The hot spare is only used for a defined Drive Group. Complete the process after your choice with Confirm.
    You can assign the NVMe to a determined Drive Group as "hot spare". The hot spare is only used for a defined Drive Group. Complete the process after your choice with Confirm.
  • The NVMe is now shown as hot spare under Physical Drives.
    The NVMe is now shown as hot spare under Physical Drives.

Integration in Windows

Last, the RAID compound has to be integrated in your Windows server system:

  • Make a right click on the Windows symbol and open data carrier administration.
    Make a right click on the Windows symbol and open data carrier administration.
  • Leave the default GPT in the disk management and click on OK.
    Leave the default GPT in the disk management and click on OK.
  • The RAID compound is shown in the data carrier administration.
    The RAID compound is shown in the data carrier administration.
  • Make a right click in the field to the right of the RAID name and click on New simple volume. If you do not want to make any special settings, you can select Next for all windows and Finish at the end.
    Make a right click in the field to the right of the RAID name and click on New simple volume. If you do not want to make any special settings, you can select Next for all windows and Finish at the end.
  • The volume is now shown in the file explorer and can be used.
    The volume is now shown in the file explorer and can be used.

References

  1. ↑ SupremeRAID Windows User Guide (download.graidtech.com, 02.2025)
  2. ↑ Software and documentation of Graid Technology Inc. (docs.graidtech.com, 02.2025)
  3. ↑ Instructions for Windows Silent Install of Graid Technology Inc. (docs.graidtech.com, 02.2025)


Author: Thomas-Krenn.AG

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