Dell PowerEdge Boot Optimized Storage Solution – BOSS-N1
Download PDFFri, 27 Jan 2023 21:58:02 -0000
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Summary
Our latest generation HW RAID BOSS solution (BOSS-N1) incorporates NVMe Enterprise class M.2 NVMe SSDs. It includes important RAS features such as rear or front facing drives on our new rack servers and full hot-plug support, so a server does not need to be taken offline in case of an SSD failure. When operating a RAID 1 mirror, a surprise removal and addition of a new SSD automatically kicks off a rebuild on the new RAID 1 member SSD that was added, so there is no need to halt server operations.
Available on the newest generation of PowerEdge systems, BOSS-N1 provides a robust, redundant, low-cost solution for boot optimization.
Introduction
The Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS-N1) provides key, generational feature improvements to the highly popular BOSS subsystem and its existing value proposition. It incorporates an NVMe interface to the M.2 SSDs to ensure high performance and the latest technology. BOSS was originally designed to provide a highly reliable, cost-effective solution for separating operating system boot drives from data drives on server-internal storage. Many customers, particularly those in the Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) arena and those implementing Software Defined Storage (SDS), require separating their OS drives from data drives. They also require hardware RAID mirroring (RAID 1) for their OS drives. The main motivation for this is to create a server configuration optimized for application data. Providing a separate, redundant disk solution for the OS enables a more robust and optimized compute platform.
Figure 1. Installing the BOSS-N1 monolithic controller module
The Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS-N1) is a simple, highly reliable and cost-effective solution to meet the requirements of our customers. The NVMe M.2 devices offer similar performance as 2.5” SSDs and support rear or front facing drive accessibility with full hot-plug support on monolithic platforms and includes surprise removal. Our design frees up and maximizes available drive slots for data requirements.
BOSS-N1 provides a secure way of updating the controller firmware
- Each of the firmware components is authenticated before being stored to firmware slot
- Authentication requires the use of public and private asymmetric key pair. This protected key pair is uniquely generated for Dell through a hardware security module (HSM) server.
- BOSS-N1 firmware updates can be updated using DUP from both In-band (Operating System) and Out-of-band (iDRAC) interfaces
You can manage BOSS-N1 with standard well-known management tools such as iDRAC, OpenManage Systems Administrator (OMSA), and the BOSS-N1 Command Line Interface (CLI).
BOSS-N1 hardware components
Figure 2. BOSS-N1 monolithic card
Figure 3. BOSS-N1 modular
Key features of BOSS-N1:
- Supports one (1) or two (2) 80 mm M.2 Enterprise Class NVMe SSDs
- M.2 devices are read-intensive (1 DWPD) with 480GB or 960GB capacity
- Fixed function hardware RAID 1 (mirroring) or single drive RAID 0
- Rear or front facing module for quick and easy accessibility to the M.2 SSDs on monolithic platforms
- Full hot-plug support on monolithic platforms
- M.2 drive LED functionality on monolithic platforms
- Managing BOSS-N1 is accomplished with standard, well-known management tools such as iDRAC, OpenManage Systems Administrator (OMSA), and the BOSS-N1 Command Line Interface (CLI)
BOSS-N1 supported operating systems
Windows Servers
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2022
Linux
- RHEL 8.6
- SLES 15 SP4
- Ubuntu 20.04.4
VMware
- ESXi 7.0 U3
- ESXi 8.0
References
- For more information about BOSS-N1, see the BOSS-N1 User’s Guide.
- For more information about iDRAC, such as the iDRAC User’s Guide and the iDRAC Release Notes, see the Dell Support site.
- For more information about OpenManage Server Administrator, see the OMSA 9.5 User’s Guide.
Related Documents
Dell EMC PowerEdge Boot Optimized Storage Solution – BOSS-S2
Mon, 16 Jan 2023 13:44:24 -0000
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Summary
Our 2nd generation SATA HW RAID BOSS solution (BOSS- S2) was enhanced to provide critical RAS features that include the rear facing drives on our new rack servers, so a server does not need to be taken offline in case of a SSD failure and full hot-plug support for our Enterprise class M.2 SATA SSDs. When operating a RAID 1 mirror, a surprise removal and addition of a new SSD will automatically kickoff a rebuild on the new RAID 1 member SSD that was added without ever having to halt the operations. Available on PowerEdge YX5X systems, BOSS-S2 is a robust, redundant, low-cost solution for boot optimization.
Introduction
New for Dell EMC PowerEdge R6525 & R7525 and future servers, the Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS-S2) provides key, generational feature improvements to the existing value proposition and highly popular BOSS-S1. BOSS was originally designed to provide a highly reliable, cost effective solution for segregating operating system boot drives from data on server-internal storage. Many customers, particularly those in the Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) arena and those implementing Software Defined Storage (SDS), require separating their OS drives from data drives, and require hardware RAID mirroring (RAID 1) for their OS drives. The main motivation for this is to create a server configuration optimized for application data. Providing a separate, redundant disk solution for the OS enables a more robust and optimized compute platform.
The Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS-S2) is a simple, highly reliable and cost-effective solution to meet the requirements of our customers. The M.2 devices offer the same performance as 2.5” SSDs and support rear facing drive accessibility with full hot-plug support to include Surprise Remove. Our design frees up and maximizes available drive slot for data requirements.
BOSS-S2 also enables a Secure method to update the Firmware and prevents any unauthorized threats to the firmware. The firmware payload is verified using a cryptographic digital signature, offering a secure update. By default, the BOSS-S2 controller state is secure and locked, which is unlocked only during the firmware update process. Following the update, the controller automatically returns to the default, locked state to prevent any unauthorized updates to the firmware.
Managing BOSS-S2 is accomplished with standard, well-known management tools such as iDRAC, OpenManage Systems Administrator (OMSA), and Command Line Interface (CLI).
Key features of BOSS-S2
Figure 1: Rear view of the system
- Supports One (1) or Two (2) 80 mm M.2 Enterprise Class SATA SSDs
- M.2 devices are read-intensive (1 DWPD) with 240 GB or 480 GB capacity
- Fixed function hardware RAID 1 (mirroring) or pass-through
- Rear facing module for quick and easy accessibility to the M.2 SSDs
- Full Hot-Plug support
- M.2 drive LED functionality
- Managing BOSS-S2 is accomplished with standard, well-known management tools such as iDRAC, OpenManage Systems Administrator (OMSA), and Command Line Interface (CLI).
Conclusion
For more information on BOSS-S2 User’s Guide, see https://dl.dell.com/topicspdf/boss-s2_ug_en-us.pdf
For general information on iDRAC User’s Guide, see https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/idrachaloug_en-us.pdf
For general information on iDRAC 4.30.30.30 Release notes, see https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/idrac9- lifecycle-controller-v4x-series_release-notes43_en-us.pdf
For general information on OMSA 9.5 User’s Guide, see https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/openmanage-server- administrator-v95_users-guide_en-us.pdf
Dell PowerEdge RAID Controller 12
Wed, 10 May 2023 17:18:18 -0000
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Summary
Dell Technologies’ newest RAID controller iteration, PERC 12, which is using the new Broadcom SAS4116W series chip, has increased support capabilities, including 24 Gbps SAS drives, increased cache memory speed to 3200 Mhz, 16-lane host bus type, and, most notably, only one front controller that supports both NVMe and SAS.
PERC 12 card management applications include Comprehensive Embedded Management (CEM), Dell OpenManage Storage Management, The Human Interface Infrastructure (HII) configuration utility, and the PERC command line interface (CLI). These applications enable you to manage and configure the RAID system, create and manage multiple disk groups, control and monitor multiple RAID systems, and provide online maintenance.
Introduction
As storage demands expand and processing loads grow, RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) data protection has become a necessary staple for proper enterprise storage management. Dell PowerEdge RAID Controller (PERC) provides a RAID solution that is powerful and easy-to-manage for enterprise storage data protection needs.
Dell Technologies’ newest RAID controller iteration, PERC 12, has increased support capabilities: 24 Gbps SAS drives, an increased cache memory speed of 3200 Mhz, 16-lane host bus type, and a single front controller that supports both NVMe and SAS.
PERC12 PowerEdge Support
H965i Adapter controller
PERC12 Adapter Card adds an Active Heat Sink (Fan) on the controller, providing additional cooling capabilities, to ensure that the controller is always running at optimum temperature and does not compromise on performance because of overheating. The controller connects directly on the motherboard using a PCIe slot and uses a SlimLine connector (or a NearStack connector) for the SAS/NVMe interfaces.
H965i Front controller
PERC12 Front Card upgrades the hardware design when compared to the previous generation controller. It combines SAS and NVMe support with a single card, eliminating the need to use different controllers for SAS and NVMe supported servers. The controller has a SlimLine connector (or a NearStack connector) for both PCIe and SAS/NVMe interfaces.
H965i MX controller
PERC12 MX Card is designed specifically for MX chassis servers and includes an energy pack similar to other form factors for power backup in case of power loss. This helps ensure proper customer cache offload to avoid any data loss. The controller connects directly on the motherboard using a PCIe slot and uses a SlimLine connector (or a NearStack connector) for the SAS/NVMe interfaces.
PERC 12 Supported Operating Systems
Windows Server
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2022
Linux
- RHEL 8.6
- RHEL 9.0
- SLES 15 SP4
- Ubuntu 22.04
VMware
- ESXi 7.0 U3
- ESXi 8.0
See Dell Technologies Enterprise operating systems support for a list of supported operating systems by specific server for the PERC 12 cards.
Hardware RAID Performance
NVMe Key RAID Metrics (PERC11 / PERC12)
Table 1. Latency / Rebuild
Key NVMe RAID 5 Metrics (PERC11 / PERC12)
Table 2. IOPS / Bandwidth
Key SAS RAID Metrics (PERC10 / PERC11 / PERC12)
Table 3. IOPS / Latency Reduction During Rebuild
Key SAS RAID Metrics (PERC10 / PERC11 / PERC12)
Table 4. IOPS / Bandwidth
Conclusion
Dell PowerEdge RAID Controller 12 or PERC 12 continues to innovate by supporting hardware RAID for NVMe drives. The PERC 12 series consists of PERC H965i Adapter, PERC H965i Front, and PERC H965i MX.