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Help Please, Intel S2600CW2R, Windows Server 2016, UEFI Boot

CWhit7
Beginner
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First off, I apologize for being a noob. I'm still trying to figure out what questions to ask to get the info I need.

I'm building an Intel Server with the S2600CW2R board, Intel RS3DC080 Raid, and 4- 4tb sas drives in RAID5.

I'm trying to UEFI boot and Install Windows Server 2016. And I've run into some problems and questions.

1. The server, even when set into UEFI in the BIOS, just doesn't want to UEFI boot from the Server Install DVD. I'm using a standard dvd-rom connected via SATA to the motherboard set to AHCI. I've tried RAID mode as well with similar results. Even what I manually select the boot device from the boot menu, UEFI isn't an option. I'm probably missing some step, configuration, or some nerd knob somewhere that needs turning. I'm sure someone has made this work at some point, can y'all clue me in on what configuration I need to be looking at? Or at least point me in the right direction please.

2. Backup & Restore - This is more a Windows question but it falls in line with the first one. In Windows Server 2016, does the backup and restore support UEFI, GPT, and large 4TB - 36TB RAID arrays? I've faced issues with 2008 & 2012 with disk/volume size limitations but haven't been working with 2016 enough to know what limitations are still in place. I've seen issues with Windows 10, UEFI, GPT, and Image Restorations failing. I'm curious with Server 2016 is plagued with the same problems and how y'all are dealing with them.

Thank you all for your time and assistance.

Cecil W.

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idata
Employee
1,333 Views

Hi CWhitaker,

 

 

It is my pleasure to assist you. The Intel® Server Board S2600CW2R supports RAID 5 configurations using UEFI. We need to follow the steps below:

 

 

1)Update the motherboard BIOS-firmware to the last https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26920/Intel-Server-Board-S2600CW-Firmware-Update-Package-for-EFI?product=88278 version 1.01.0022;1.50.10802.

 

 

Details on how to perform Intel® Server BIOS update: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/server-products/000006976.html Article ID 000006976

 

 

2)Continue with the Intel® RAID card RS3DC080 firmware update, latest https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26411/MR-3108-ROC-Hardware-RAID-Firmware-Flash-Update?product=77346 version 24.16.0-0082:

 

 

This update recognizes UEFI configuration.

 

 

Details on how to Perform a Firmware Update of Intel® RAID Controllers on EFI Shell. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/server-products/000023496.html Article ID: 000023496

 

 

3) Go to BIOS setup and change it as follows:

 

a) From the Main tab disable Quiet Boot

 

b) From Advanced tab\Mass Storage Controller Config\Sata Port 0-5, set AHCI Capable SATA Controller as AHCI.

 

c) Go to Boot Maintenance Manager tab, Advanced Boot Options and change the Boot Mode to UEFI

 

d) Save changes pressing F10.

 

 

4)Get into the BIOS setup again and configure the RAID configuration using the document https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/motherboards/server/sb/gpt_white_paper_1_1.pdf GUID Partition Table (GPT) on page 2.

 

 

The same document gives a detailed procedure on how to install the operating system.

 

 

 

In regard to your second question, if you install the operating system with the UEFI mode; the backup will be created as UEFI too.

 

 

I suggest you this document from Microsoft* portal: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj635058(v=ws.11).aspx# BKMK_1 Set up or customize server backup

 

 

I hope my explanation helps you with the RAID 5 installation. I look forward to your reply.

 

 

Regards,

 

Mike C

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5 Replies
idata
Employee
1,334 Views

Hi CWhitaker,

 

 

It is my pleasure to assist you. The Intel® Server Board S2600CW2R supports RAID 5 configurations using UEFI. We need to follow the steps below:

 

 

1)Update the motherboard BIOS-firmware to the last https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26920/Intel-Server-Board-S2600CW-Firmware-Update-Package-for-EFI?product=88278 version 1.01.0022;1.50.10802.

 

 

Details on how to perform Intel® Server BIOS update: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/server-products/000006976.html Article ID 000006976

 

 

2)Continue with the Intel® RAID card RS3DC080 firmware update, latest https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26411/MR-3108-ROC-Hardware-RAID-Firmware-Flash-Update?product=77346 version 24.16.0-0082:

 

 

This update recognizes UEFI configuration.

 

 

Details on how to Perform a Firmware Update of Intel® RAID Controllers on EFI Shell. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/server-products/000023496.html Article ID: 000023496

 

 

3) Go to BIOS setup and change it as follows:

 

a) From the Main tab disable Quiet Boot

 

b) From Advanced tab\Mass Storage Controller Config\Sata Port 0-5, set AHCI Capable SATA Controller as AHCI.

 

c) Go to Boot Maintenance Manager tab, Advanced Boot Options and change the Boot Mode to UEFI

 

d) Save changes pressing F10.

 

 

4)Get into the BIOS setup again and configure the RAID configuration using the document https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/motherboards/server/sb/gpt_white_paper_1_1.pdf GUID Partition Table (GPT) on page 2.

 

 

The same document gives a detailed procedure on how to install the operating system.

 

 

 

In regard to your second question, if you install the operating system with the UEFI mode; the backup will be created as UEFI too.

 

 

I suggest you this document from Microsoft* portal: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj635058(v=ws.11).aspx# BKMK_1 Set up or customize server backup

 

 

I hope my explanation helps you with the RAID 5 installation. I look forward to your reply.

 

 

Regards,

 

Mike C
idata
Employee
1,333 Views

Hi CWhitaker,

 

 

I am following your case; please let me know if you need further assistance.

 

 

Regards,

 

Mike C
CWhit7
Beginner
1,333 Views

Hello Mike,

Thank you for your time and help. I'm reviewing these documents to work through them here shortly. I have previously updated both the bios and firmware but the GPT guide seems to have the missing steps that I wasn't getting. I'm going to work with it some more and try again.

Thanks again for your help.

Cecil W.

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CWhit7
Beginner
1,333 Views

Hi Y'all,

I have worked through this process and have successfully UEFI booted and install Server 2016. I knew I was missing a step somewhere and that turned out to be having to go back into the BIOS and working through the Mass Storage Controller Config

Thanks Again for your help.

Cecil W.

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idata
Employee
1,333 Views

Hi CWhitaker,

 

 

Thank you for your update; I am glad you were able to install the operating system in the Intel® Server Board S2600CW2R using UEFI option.

 

 

Regards,

 

Mike C
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