LSA LSI Storage Authority Software

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In this article, we explain how to install and configure the LSA LSI Storage Authority Software from Broadcom.

Prerequisites

  • Server with MegaRAID Controller
  • Microsoft Windows Server
  • Local administrator rights on the system

What is LSA?

The LSI Storage Authority (LSA) is a webbased management software from Broadcom to supervise and administrate MegaRAID controllers under Windows and Linux.

The following information and functions are provided via the LSA-websurface:

  • status overview of all installed RAID controllers
  • supervising all physical and virtual drives
  • immediate creation of RAIDs
  • displaying warnings, errors and events
  • firmware and driver information & updates
  • configuration of email notifications in case of incidents

The websurface is provided locally on the server and called up via browser by default.

Installation

  • Step 1:First, download the ‘’'LSA (LSI Storage Authority) from the Broadcom website: : [https://docs.broadcom.com/docs/008.003.012.000_LSA_Windows » Download here
    Step 1: First, download the ‘’'LSA (LSI Storage Authority) from the Broadcom website: [https://docs.broadcom.com/docs/008.003.012.000_LSA_Windows» Download here
  • Step 2: After downloading, the software is available as an archive. This can be unzipped by right-clicking on ‘’'Extract All....
    Step 2: After downloading, the software is available as an archive. This can be unzipped by right-clicking on ‘’'Extract All....
  • Step 3: After unpacking, a folder will be created. It contains the file setup.exe, which is used to start the installation. Note: After installation, a known login error with Error Code 49 (Invalid Credentials) may occur. In this case, please refer to the following article: LSI Storage Authority Error Code 49 Invalid Credentials.
    Step 3: After unpacking, a folder will be created. It contains the file setup.exe, which is used to start the installation. Note: After installation, a known login error with Error Code 49 (Invalid Credentials) may occur. In this case, please refer to the following article: LSI Storage Authority Error Code 49 Invalid Credentials.
  • Step 4: After successful installation, it is recommended to restart the LSA service to avoid a complete system restart. This can be done directly via the Task Manager.
    Step 4: After successful installation, it is recommended to restart the LSA service to avoid a complete system restart. This can be done directly via the Task Manager.
  • Step 5: In the Services tab, locate the LSAService service, right-click to select it, and execute Restart.
    Step 5: In the Services tab, locate the LSAService service, right-click to select it, and execute Restart.
  • Step 6: The LSA can then be started via the Launch LSA link. Access is then automatic via the standard web browser.
    Step 6: The LSA can then be started via the Launch LSA link. Access is then automatic via the standard web browser.

Create RAID

This section describes how to create a RAID array on a MegaRAID controller using the web interface of the LSI Storage Authority (LSA). The creation process is carried out via the advanced configuration and guides you step by step through the selection of the RAID level, the physical drives, and the creation of the virtual drive.

Hint: When creating a new RAID array, all data on the selected hard drives will be deleted.

  • Step 1: In the LSA web interface, on the right-hand side in the Controller Actions section, there is an Configure option, which opens another drop-down menu.
    Step 1: In the LSA web interface, on the right-hand side in the Controller Actions section, there is an Configure option, which opens another drop-down menu.
  • Step 2: Select Advanced Configuration from the drop-down menu that opens.
    Step 2: Select Advanced Configuration from the drop-down menu that opens.
  • Step 3: In the advanced configuration, you can choose between the various available RAID levels. In this example, a RAID 1 is created.
    Step 3: In the advanced configuration, you can choose between the various available RAID levels. In this example, a RAID 1 is created.
  • Step 4: Clicking Next takes you to the next menu, where you can configure the physical drives and virtual drives.
    Step 4: Clicking Next takes you to the next menu, where you can configure the physical drives and virtual drives.
  • Step 5: First, the physical hard drives to be used for the RAID must be selected.
    Step 5: First, the physical hard drives to be used for the RAID must be selected.
  • Step 6: Select the desired hard drives and confirm your selection by clicking on ‘’'Add Physical Drives.
    Step 6: Select the desired hard drives and confirm your selection by clicking on ‘’'Add Physical Drives.
  • Step 7: A virtual drive is then created, which will later be used by the operating system.
    Step 7: A virtual drive is then created, which will later be used by the operating system.
  • Step 8: Once the virtual drive has been created, the RAID can be set up by clicking on Finish.
    Step 8: Once the virtual drive has been created, the RAID can be set up by clicking on Finish.
  • Step 9: After successfully creating the RAID, a corresponding confirmation appears in the LSA web interface.
    Step 9: After successfully creating the RAID, a corresponding confirmation appears in the LSA web interface.
  • Step 10: The newly created virtual drive and the associated drive group status are now displayed in the controller menu.
    Step 10: The newly created virtual drive and the associated drive group status are now displayed in the controller menu.

Firmware update

A firmware update of a MegaRAID controllers can be performed directly via the websurface of the LSI Storage Authority (LSA).

  • Step 1: First, download the latest compatible firmware from the » Thomas-Krenn download page «. To do this, you must first filter the installed controller correctly under "Select product".
    Step 1: First, download the latest compatible firmware from the » Thomas-Krenn download page «. To do this, you must first filter the installed controller correctly under "Select product".
  • Step 2: The downloaded archive is unzipped, and the unzipped folder contains the .rom file required for the update.
    Step 2: The downloaded archive is unzipped, and the unzipped folder contains the .rom file required for the update.
  • Step 3: In the LSA web interface, on the right-hand side in the Controller Actions section, you will find the Update Firmware option, which opens the firmware update menu.
    Step 3: In the LSA web interface, on the right-hand side in the Controller Actions section, you will find the Update Firmware option, which opens the firmware update menu.
  • Step 4: Clicking on Browse opens the file explorer, where you can select the previously unzipped .rom file and confirm with Open.
    Step 4: Clicking on Browse opens the file explorer, where you can select the previously unzipped .rom file and confirm with Open.
  • Step 5: After loading the file, the update can be prepared using the Update button.
    Step 5: After loading the file, the update can be prepared using the Update button.
  • Step 6: For verification purposes, a version comparison between the currently installed firmware and the selected firmware is displayed, with the final confirmation for the update below.
    Step 6: For verification purposes, a version comparison between the currently installed firmware and the selected firmware is displayed, with the final confirmation for the update below.
  • Step 7: Activate the Confirm checkbox and click on Flash Firmware to start the firmware update.
    Step 7: Activate the Confirm checkbox and click on Flash Firmware to start the firmware update.

Once the update has been successfully completed, you can usually continue working with the controller immediately. Restarting the system is only necessary in rare cases.

Convert individual hard drive to JBOD

This section describes how to set a single physical hard disk to JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks) mode using the LSI Storage Authority (LSA) web interface. This allows the hard disk to be passed directly to the operating system without a RAID array. It also shows how to return a hard disk that was previously configured as JBOD to the Unconfigured Good state so that it can be used again in a RAID array.

  • Step 1: In the controller settings, all unconfigured hard drives are displayed under Unconfigured Drives.
    Step 1: In the controller settings, all unconfigured hard drives are displayed under Unconfigured Drives.
  • Step 2: Select the desired hard drive and then convert it to JBOD mode using Make JBOD in the right sidebar under Element Actions.
    Step 2: Select the desired hard drive and then convert it to JBOD mode using Make JBOD in the right sidebar under Element Actions.
  • Step 3: The process takes only a few seconds. Once completed successfully, the hard drive will be displayed in the JBOD section and the message Action Successful will appear.
    Step 3: The process takes only a few seconds. Once completed successfully, the hard drive will be displayed in the JBOD section and the message Action Successful will appear.

If a JBOD-hard drive should be used again for a RAID-compound, it can be resetted as follows:

  • Step 1: The JBOD hard drive is selected and reset using Make Unconfigured Good in the right sidebar.
    Step 1: The JBOD hard drive is selected and reset using Make Unconfigured Good in the right sidebar.
  • Step 2: The action is confirmed by checking the Confirm checkbox and clicking Yes, Make Unconfigured Good.
    Step 2: The action is confirmed by checking the Confirm checkbox and clicking Yes, Make Unconfigured Good.

Convert all hard drives to JBOD

This section describes how all hard drives connected to the controller can be used automatically as JBOD. To do this, the controller personality is changed from RAID to JBOD, which passes all drives directly to the operating system without RAID configuration.

  • Step 1: In the LSI Storage Authority web interface, the Controller Actions area is located on the right-hand side. Select Personality Management there.
    Step 1: In the LSI Storage Authority web interface, the Controller Actions area is located on the right-hand side. Select Personality Management there.
  • Step 2: In the Select Personality menu, you can choose between RAID and JBOD. Here, you must select JBOD.
    Step 2: In the Select Personality menu, you can choose between RAID and JBOD. Here, you must select JBOD.
  • Step 3: Clicking Change changes the personality of the controller and all hard drives are automatically provisioned as JBOD.
    Step 3: Clicking Change changes the personality of the controller and all hard drives are automatically provisioned as JBOD.

Set up email notification

For reliable operation, it is recommended to configure email notifications in the LSA so that you are automatically notified in the event of RAID errors or critical events.

In particular, the following points should be noted:

  • Use of an available SMTP-server
  • Activation of SSL/TLS, if supported by the mail server
  • Depositing of at least one recipient address
  • Test of configuration via Test Configuration

Only if email notifications are set up correctly can an early response to hardware errors be guaranteed.

  • Step 1: After opening the LSI Storage Authority web interface, you can log in via Sign In. The current Windows username is used as the username, and the password corresponds to the local system password.
    Step 1: After opening the LSI Storage Authority web interface, you can log in via Sign In. The current Windows username is used as the username, and the password corresponds to the local system password.
  • Step 2: After successful login, the currently logged-in user is displayed in the top right corner. Left-clicking opens a drop-down menu.
    Step 2: After successful login, the currently logged-in user is displayed in the top right corner. Left-clicking opens a drop-down menu.
  • Step 3: In this drop-down menu, select Settings to open the configuration.
    Step 3: In this drop-down menu, select Settings to open the configuration.
  • Step 4: The settings include the configuration of the Alert Filter and the Mail Server settings..
    Step 4: The settings include the configuration of the Alert Filter and the Mail Server settings..
  • Step 5: In the Mail Server menu, you can configure the SMTP settings according to your own mail server configuration. Use the Test Configuration button to check whether email delivery is working properly.
    Step 5: In the Mail Server menu, you can configure the SMTP settings according to your own mail server configuration. Use the Test Configuration button to check whether email delivery is working properly.
  • Step 6: Once configuration is complete, the settings are saved via Save Settings. Email notifications are then sent automatically when corresponding events occur.
    Step 6: Once configuration is complete, the settings are saved via Save Settings. Email notifications are then sent automatically when corresponding events occur.

Common mistakes

Conclusion

After successful installation and configuration, the LSI Storage Authority offers a central and clear opportunity to supervise MegaRAID-controllers. In productive environments in particular, a correctly configured LSA contributes significantly to operational reliability and rapid error detection.


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.


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