Dell PERC 5 Controller Device Driver for

	RHEL 3 (x86 & EM64T) 

Driver Version : 00.00.03.16


TABLE OF CONTENTS
=================

1  Introduction
2  Compatibility / Minimum Requirements
3  Install Instructions
   3.1  The package.
   3.2  Installing the Linux driver during an OS installation
   3.3  Adding/Updating the PERC Driver to an Existing system.
4  Fixes or Enhancements in this Release
5  Important Information
6  Known issues


1 Introduction
==============

This is the driver for following controllers:
 
    PERC 5 Adapters


2 Compatibility / Minimum Requirements
======================================

This Device Driver is compatible with:
	RHEL 3 Update 6 and future updates



Minimum PERC 5 FW package version: 5.2.1-0066


3 Installation Instructions
===========================


3.1 The package.
----------------

The package is a compressed tar file.  

To extract the compressed file in the tar file, 
first, uncompress the file:
	"> gunzip <driver_package.tgz>"
then, un-tar the files: 
	"> tar -xvf <driver_package.tar>"
	
NOTE: The first step is not needed on SLES10 & RHEL5 systems.
      Files extension change when uncompressed (*.tgz->*.tar)
	
The package should contain the following files:
 - dkms rpm (dkms<version>.rpm)
 - driver rpm (megaraid<version>.rpm)
 - release notes (*.txt)
 - source code (megaraid<version>src.tgz)
 - driver update disk (DUD) image for the different OSes (*.img)

Preparation of the DUD image.  Transfer the image to the floppy:
	Use "> dd if=<image_file_name> of=/dev/fd0"

On most systems, the floppy drive is designated by the /dev/fd0 special file.
It is recommended that the dd command is executed before the floppy is mounted.


3.2 Installing the Linux driver during an OS installation
---------------------------------------------------------

-- Installing the driver on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system  --

Perform the following steps to install the RHEL 3 driver 
using the DUD:

1  Boot normally to the RHEL installation media.
2  At the command prompt, type:
		> Linux expert dd
3  When the install prompts for a driver diskette, insert the 
   driver update disk (DUD) prepared earlier and press <Enter>.
4  Complete the installation as directed by the installation program.



3.3 Adding/Updating the PERC Driver to an Existing Linux system
---------------------------------------------------------------

1  Install the DKMS rpm package if needed. Use this command 
      "> rpm -ivh <dkms rpm package name>"
   
   NOTE: Use rpm -Uvh <package name> when updating an existing package.
   
2  Install the Driver package. Use this command 
      "> rpm -ivh <driver rpm package name>"

3  Verify that the driver has been loaded with this system command:
      "> lsmod megaraid_sas"
   and this dkms commands:
      "> dkms status"
   The version shown in the output should match in both cases 
   with the version of the package.


4 Fixes or Enhancements in this Release 
=======================================

1. Driver changes to avoid system hang during OS installation 
   when Patrol Read is running on AMD platforms.
2. Installation script changes to support additional RHEL versions and updates or service packs.
3. Added precompiled binaries to support additional kernel modes.
4. IO management changes to meet Linux community requirements.
5. Fixed problem handling IO's to XFS file system with LUKS 
   encryption.


5 Important Information
=======================

5.1 Power state transition
--------------------------
Note that system power state transitions are not validated on Dell
platforms under the Linux Operating Systems. If attempted, the
system might hang and/or panic resulting in data loss.

5.2 DKMS AUTOINSTALL
--------------------
DKMS AUTOINSTALL option should always be disabled in the DKMS configuration
file for driver installation.


6 Known issues
==============
Installation problems on SATA I drives: PERC Controller require a minimum of 
SATA II drives.  SATA I drives are not supported.  Use only SAS or SATA II 
drives supported by your Dell system.

If installing SLES10 using the native driver, on a system where a PERC5 or a 
PERC6 controller is the boot controller, please set the write policy of the VD 
or VDs used for the installation to "write-through".  The VD write policy can 
be reset after the installation completes. Some systems (i.e.: r805v) have 
shown problems executing the installation on a write-back VD; the file system 
becomes read-only and the installation cannot complete.