I recently bought a Lenovo ThinkSystem ST650v3 to set up a SUSE 15 SP6 database server for a client. This server has two RAID controllers: a RAID B540i-2i for the OS and a RAID 5350-8i for the database. However, I'm facing issues when installing SUSE, as it causes a kernel panic due to missing drivers for the B540i. I can temporarily fix this with a driver update disk (DUD), but it gets complicated with each SUSE update that rebuilds the initramfs. I'm hoping for a more permanent solution. I was thinking about adding two more drives to the 5350-8i to create a RAID1 and moving the OS there. Lenovo support is not helping much, and although we have SUSE support, I suspect the answer will just be about using the DUD. Any advice or different ideas would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Hey! I used to work with SUSE, and this is a classic issue. Instead of hardware RAID for the OS, I recommend switching that RAID controller to JBOD mode (or IT mode), which will allow you to use software RAID1 for your OS. This way, you can manage the array with `mdadm` without having to deal with additional driver support. However, if the hardware is really unsupported, you might have to stick with the DUD method for upgrades. Honestly, JBOD mode on both controllers could save you a lot of headaches in the long run! Good luck with it!
Appreciate the insights! The main tech is out today, but I'll pass this on to him.
Your plan to move the OS to the 5350-8i sounds like the best approach. Here’s a quick rundown of why it’s ideal:
1. **Native Support:** The 5350-8i works perfectly with SUSE, so no more DUD hassles.
2. **Stable Setup:** You won't have to worry about kernel/initramfs updates breaking your boot.
3. **Vendor Recommendation:** Both Lenovo and SUSE say to use supported controllers for the OS.
**Steps to move forward:**
1. Add drives to the 5350-8i and set up RAID1.
2. Install SUSE on the new RAID1 or clone the OS using tools like `dd` or `Clonezilla`.
3. Make sure your boot loader points to the new RAID1.
4. Test and then remove the old B540i RAID once everything is stable.
This will give you a pretty robust setup.
Why would you go with an AI solution? People want real experiences here, not just machine-generated advice.
Thanks for the detailed response! We've actually explored this with AI and wanted to hear back from community experience.
If they just want a simple mirror, wouldn't BTRFS raid-1 be a better option? Especially if the controller is in JBOD mode.