Dell Technologies Boot Optimized Storage Solution-S2 User's Guide Part Number: BMSA-1500 September 2020 Rev.
Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. © 2020 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents Chapter 1: Dell Technologies Boot Optimized Storage Solution-S2................................................ 5 Features of BOSS-S2 card................................................................................................................................................5 Technical specifications of BOSS-S2 card....................................................................................................................6 Supported M.2 drives of BOSS-S2 card.........................
View physical disk information................................................................................................................................. 30 View virtual disk information.................................................................................................................................... 30 Import and set a foreign virtual disk as BOSS-S2 native................................................................................... 31 Create a virtual disk.....................
1 Dell Technologies Boot Optimized Storage Solution-S2 Dell Technologies Boot Optimized Storage Solution-S2 (BOSS-S2) is a RAID solution card that is designed for booting a server's operating system that supports: ● 80 mm M.
1. 3. 5. 7. 9. M.2 blank BOSS-S2 module bracket M.2 card Signal cable Power cable connector 2. 4. 6. 8. 10. M.2 carrier BOSS-S2 module BOSS-S2 card Power cable Signal cable connector Technical specifications of BOSS-S2 card The following table lists the BOSS-S2 card technical specifications: Table 1. Technical specifications of BOSS-S2 card Function or feature BOSS-S2 card Hot–plug of M.2 drives Yes LED activity of M.
Table 1. Technical specifications of BOSS-S2 card (continued) Function or feature BOSS-S2 card Load balance N/A Rebuild Yes (Only Auto–rebuild) Hot spare No Change rebuild priority/rate No Virtual disk write back/read ahead cache No NOTE: BOSS-S2 controller does not support controller cache. Battery support N/A NOTE: BOSS-S2 controller does not support a battery. Non–RAID disk cache policy Yes NOTE: OS controlled or device defaults.
Table 2. Supported M.2 drives of BOSS-S2 card Drive Model Capacity Intel M.2 S4510 240 GB, 480 GB Micron M.2 5300 240 GB, 480 GB NOTE: Dell Technologies recommends that you use the BOSS-S2 card only as an operating system boot device. NOTE: Ensure that M.2 drives have the latest firmware. You can download the latest firmware from www.dell.com/ support/home.
2 Applications supported by BOSS-S2 BOSS-S2 card management applications include the UEFI RAID Configuration Utility, Dell OpenManage Storage Management, BOSS-S2 Command Line Interface (CLI) Utility, The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC), and Lifecycle Controller (LC). They enable you to manage and configure the RAID system, create and manage a disk group, and provide online maintenance.
Table 4.
3 Update the BOSS-S2 firmware version BOSS-S2 card firmware updates can be done using the following methods: ● Operating system Dell Update Packages ○ Windows ○ Linux ● The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) ● Lifecycle Controller (LC) Topics: • • • • Update Update Update Update BOSS-S2 BOSS-S2 BOSS-S2 BOSS-S2 using using using using Windows update packages Linux iDRAC Lifecycle Controller Update BOSS-S2 using Windows update packages Prerequisites Download the latest operating system Del
NOTE: Ensure that you have Root or Sudo privileges for Linux or ESXi. Steps 1. Download the latest Dell Update Package (DUP) for Linux from the www.dell.com/support/home. 2. Go to the downloaded file path and provide the permissions to execute the DUP file. 3. Execute the BIN file ./SAS-RAID_Firmware_xxxxx_xxxx_xxx.bin. 4. When prompted, press Q to proceed. After the inventory collection and firmware validation processes are complete, the installed version and package version are displayed. 5.
3. Click Firmware Update on the dashboard window and click Launch Firmware Update. 4. Select any one of these repositories FTP Server, Local Drive (CD/DVD/USB), or Netowrk Share (CIFS, NFS, HTTP, or HTTPS). Click Next. 5. Select the EXE file and click Next. 6. Select the EXE Dell Update Package (DUP) and click Apply. 7. After successful installation, reboot and verify the installed firmware version in the HII, iDRAC, or BOSS-S2 CLI.
4 Features of BOSS-S2 Topics: • • • • • • • • • Hot–plugging M.2 drives in PowerEdge systems Identify M.2 drives by using LEDs Controlled firmware update Foreign import of VDs Detect a drive failure using SMART feature Auto–rebuild a degraded drive Support of non–RAID drives TRIM feature on SSDs Erase physical disk data Hot–plugging M.2 drives in PowerEdge systems The unique controller design of the BOSS-S2 card carrier card allows you to hot plug M.2 drives.
NOTE: Firmware update using DUP within an operating system (in-band) enters through the iDRAC as a staged operation. Foreign import of VDs A virtual disk is considered foreign if it is not native to the adapter. ● A virtual disk is considered native to the adapter if: ○ The virtual disk was created or imported on the adapter. ● A physical disk is considered native to the adapter if: ○ There is no previous virtual disk metadata on the adapter and the physical disk are unconfigured.
TRIM feature on SSDs TRIM (Non–RAID physical disk) allows an operating system to delete a block of data that is no longer considered in use by SSDs. For supported operating systems, the TRIM command resolves the write amplification issue. When an operating system deletes a file, the file is marked for deletion in the file system, but the contents on the disk are not actually erased. As a result, the SSDs do not know the Logical Block Addressing (LBA) previously occupied can be erased.
5 Install and remove a BOSS-S2 card Topics: • • • • • Safety instructions Before working inside your system After working inside your system Remove the BOSS-S2 module Install the BOSS-S2 module Safety instructions NOTE: To avoid injury, do not lift the system on your own. Get others to assist you. WARNING: Opening or removing the system cover while the system is turned on may expose you to a risk of electric shock.
After working inside your system Steps 1. Replace the system cover. 2. If applicable, install the system into the rack. For more information, see the Rail Installation Guide relevant to your rail solutions at www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals. 3. Reconnect the peripherals and connect the system to the electrical outlet, and then power on the system. Remove the BOSS-S2 module Prerequisites CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.
2. Slide the M.2 carrier from the BOSS-S2 module bay. Figure 2. Slide the M.
3. If installed, pull the M.2 blank out from the BOSS-S2 module bay. NOTE: An M.2 module blank is installed only if the controller has one M.2 carrier. Figure 3. Pull the M.
4. Using a Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove the two screws that secure the BOSS-S2 module bay. Slide the BOSS-S2 module out of the BOSS-S2 module bay. Figure 4.
5. Using a Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove the screw that secures the bracket on the BOSS-S2 module. Slide the bracket from the BOSS-S2 module to remove the bracket. Figure 5.
6. Using a Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove the screw that secures the M.2 card to the M.2 card carrier. Figure 6. Remove the screw that secures the M.2 card to the M.2 card carrier 7. Slide the M.2 card from the M.2 card carrier. Install the BOSS-S2 module Prerequisites CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.
3. Using a Phillips #1 screwdriver, secure the M.2 card to the M.2 card carrier with the screw. CAUTION: Ensure that the screws are tightened by using a torque of 1.7 in-lb (0.19 N-m). Figure 7. Install the screw that secures the M.2 card to the M.2 card carrier 4. Slide the bracket on the BOSS-S2 module. Using a Phillips #1 screwdriver, secure the bracket on the BOSS-S2 module with the screw. Figure 8. Install the screw of the bracket on the BOSS-S2 module 5.
6. Using a Phillips #1 screwdriver, secure the BOSS-S2 module with the two screws. CAUTION: Ensure that the screws are tightened by using a torque of 4 in-lb (0.45 N-m). Figure 9. Install the screws that secure the BOSS-S2 module 7. Connect the BOSS-S2 module power cable and signal cable to the system board.
8. Slide the M.2 card carrier into the BOSS-S2 module bay. Figure 10. Slide the M.
9. Slide the M.2 blank into the BOSS-S2 module bay to lock the carrier in place. NOTE: An M.2 blank is installed only if the controller has one M.2 carrier. Figure 11. Slide the M.2 blank into the BOSS-S2 module bay Next steps 1. Follow the procedure listed in After working inside your system on page 18.
6 Driver support for BOSS-S2 The BOSS-S2 card leverages the inbox AHCI driver with all the supported operating systems. Windows driver installation—By default, native AHCI driver is the inbox for installation. NOTE: The Management console driver is required to support the command line interface for BOSS-S2 card in Windows driver installation. Linux driver installation—By default, native AHCI driver is the inbox for installation.
7 BOSS-S2 UEFI configuration utility The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) RAID configuration utility is a storage management application integrated into the system BIOS . It is used to configure and manage RAID disk groups, virtual disks, and physical disks. This utility is independent of the operating system. The following topics provide information about using the UEFI RAID configuration utility. For more information, see the online help option in the UEFI RAID configuration utility.
2. Click Yes to exit the configuration utility. NOTE: Depending on the device configuration changes, exiting the UEFI configuration utility may prompt for a system reboot. Navigate to BOSS-S2 configuration utility About this task To navigate to UEFI configuration utility, perform the following steps: Steps 1. Enter the UEFI configuration utility. See Enter the UEFI RAID configuration utility The Device Settings screen displays a list of NIC ports and the BOSS-S2 configuration utility. 2.
Import and set a foreign virtual disk as BOSS-S2 native About this task The Import operation sets a foreign virtual disk as native to the configuration. Steps 1. Enter the BOSS-S2 Configuration utility. See Enter the BOSS-S2 Configuration Utility. 2. Click Physical/Virtual disk information. 3. Click Virtual disk information. 4. Select the virtual disk. 5. Select Yes for the option Would you like to import this virtual disk?. NOTE: This option is only available when the controller detects a foreign disk. 6.
Recover or rebuild a degraded virtual drive You can manually rebuild a degraded virtual disk. RAID rebuild is available only when a degraded RAID volume is present and there is an available target device. If a foreign virtual disk is in rebuild state, rebuild starts automatically after you import the virtual disk and reboot the server. Clear configuration operation does not affect any background activity, like rebuild.
8 Manage BOSS-S2 using CLI commands This section provides information about the methods to use the BOSS-S2 Command Line Interface (CLI) for performing a variety of controller and enclosure specific operations.
Run BOSS-S2 CLI commands on PowerEdge servers running the Windows operating system About this task Follow these procedures to run CLI commands using the Windows operating system: Steps 1. Download the latest MVSETUP BOSS-S2 utility for Windows from www.dell.com/support/home. 2. Extract the content of the mvsetup_xxxx_Axx.zip file on the system. 3. Browse the directory where you have extracted the content of the mvsetup_xxxx_Axx.zip file and run the mvsetup.exe file.
9 Troubleshooting To get help with your Dell BOSS-S2 card, you can contact your Dell Technical Service representative or see https:// www.dell.com/support. Topics: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Importing the BOSS ESXi CLI offline bundle may fail in VSphere Lifecycle Manager BOSS ESXi CLI package fails when upgrading from Dell EMC customized versions of 6.7.x to version 7.0 M.
M.2 drive firmware update from iDRAC fails on unconfigured drives with an existing adapter key on the BOSS-S2 controller Issue: M.2 drive firmware update from iDRAC fails on unconfigured drives in systems containing a controller with an existing adapter key. Corrective Action: Clear the controller configuration in HII under Controller Information > Clear Configuration and update the drive firmware.
LC log displays fan unavailability error Issue: LC log displays The BOSS-S2 device does not have a fan installed in it error message. Probable Cause: Currently there is no fan requirement for BOSS-S2, which might be required in future based on M.2 thermal requirement. Corrective Action: No action required. This error message can be ignored.
Probable Cause: This occurs when Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers perform a cold reboot. Corrective Action: These events can be safely ignored as there is no functionality loss. Characters are limited when entering a virtual drive name Issue: Limitation in the number of characters while creating a virtual disk name Corrective Action: It is recommended that you use maximum of 10 characters while naming the virtual disk.
An installed drive is not listed in the BOSS-S2 Configuration Utility Issue: An installed drive is not listed in the BOSS-S2 configuration utility. OpenManage reports Physical disk offline state. Probable Cause: Drive is either in failure state or has corrupted firmware. Corrective Action: Reseat drive to ensure drive is inserted correctly. If error persists, attempt to update drive firmware using DUP. If error is still present, replace erroneous drive.
Corrective Action: 40 Delete the existing RAID 1, run erase physical disk on both drives, re-create the RAID 1 with quick initialization ON, then attempt to reinstall ESXi on the virtual disk.
10 Getting help Topics: • • • Recycling or End-of-Life service information Contacting Dell Receiving automated support with SupportAssist Recycling or End-of-Life service information Take back and recycling services are offered for this product in certain countries. If you want to dispose of system components, visit www.dell.com/recyclingworldwide and select the relevant country. Contacting Dell Dell provides online and telephone based support and service options.
● Automated diagnostic collection — SupportAssist automatically collects system state information from your devices and uploads it securely to Dell EMC. This information is used by Dell EMC Technical Support to troubleshoot the issue. ● Proactive contact — A Dell EMC Technical Support agent contacts you about the support case and helps you resolve the issue. The available benefits vary depending on the Dell EMC Service entitlement purchased for your device.
11 Documentation resources This section provides information about the documentation resources for your system. To view the document that is listed in the documentation resources table: ● From the Dell EMC support site: 1. Click the documentation link that is provided in the Location column in the table. 2. Click the required product or product version. NOTE: To locate the product name and model, see the front of your system. 3. On the Product Support page, click Manuals & documents.
Table 7. Additional documentation resources for your system (continued) Task Managing your system Document Location For information about installing the operating system, see the operating system documentation. www.dell.com/operatingsystemmanuals For information about updating drivers and firmware, see the Methods to download firmware and drivers section in this document. www.dell.
