Intel Rapid Storage / Smart Response SSD caching issue
- by goober
Background
Recently built my own PC. It works! Almost.
It's been a while since getting into the guts of these things, so I'm familiar but may be missing something simple.
FYI, I don't care about blowing the OS away -- it's brand new and we can go back from scratch as many times as necessary.
Goal / Issue
I'd like to use the SSD to take advantage of Intel's Smart Response technology (allows the SSD to act as a cache for HDDs)
I would like the SSD cache to act as a cache for my HDDs, which I would like to be in a RAID1 array (so I get the speed from the SSD and the redundancy from the RAID1)
However, Windows only sees the drive in device manager (not as a drive), so I'm unsure what to do about that.
Related: as far as I know, for this to work, the drives all have to be in a single RAID array (i.e. a RAID0 pairing of the SSD and the RAID1 HDD array).
However, when attempting this at the BIOS level, I am told there is not enough space for an array.
Steps so Far
Moved the SSD onto the Intel controller (I'd had it on the Marvel 6.0 controller instead of the Intel controller, so the BIOS was only seeing it in a strange way)
Updated the BIOS of the motherboard to the latest version
Reinstalled Intel's RST (iRST?) software several times, as some forums reported it working after reinstalling 3 times (which does not inspire confidence).
Checked Intel storage: it does see the SSD as a physical, non-RAID device. However, it says no space exists if I try to create an array.
Checked the BIOS: it does not show up in the boot order, but is an option that can be selected under boot options.
Tried the firmware update for that model. Issue: the firmware CD doesn't detect a drive; maybe the Intel storage controller is making it difficult?
moved the ssd to the marvel controller. The firmware update cd appeared to hang while searching for drives.
swapped out the SATA cable for the manufacturer's and moved back to the intel storage controller.
Noticed at this point that in the Intel RST software, a device DOES show up in addition to the RAID set -- only shown as a "60 GB internal disk". Windows doesn't appear to see it as a drive, but it does still show in device manager.
Move SSD to port from 0-3 on MOBO and set SATA mode to IDE (after disconnecting RAID1 config) to allow the firmware update to work. Firmware was already at the latest version.
Next Steps
?
Components involved
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO motherboard (Intel Z68 Chipset)
Intel i7 2600k Processor
2 x 1TB 7200 RPM HDDs
64 GB Crucial M4 SSD (M4-CT064M4SSD2)
For Reference -- Storage Configuration
Intel 3 gbps Intel 3gbps Intel 6gbps Marvel 6gbps
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+ +----------+
| | <----+ | | +-+ | | |
|----------| | |----------| |-|--------| |----------|
| | | | + | | | | | |
+----------+ | +--|-------+ +-|--------+ +----------+
| | |
+ v v
| 1 TB HDD 64 GB SSD
+
+> 1 TB HDD
For Reference -- Intel RST (v10.8.0.1003) Screenshot
Don't mind the "rebuilding" -- knocked a power cable out at one point; it's doing its job, not an indicator of a bad HDD.
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for any help!
