Intel Rapid Storage Tech and RAIDing PCIe NVMe SSD cards

[JJohn29]

Hi All,

We purchased an ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming motherboard and two Intel 750 PCIe NVMe 400 GB SSD cards with the intent to RAID1 the cards using IRST. We upgraded the firmware of the cards and the BIOS. However, we do not see the cards in IRST, which always says, "No disks connected to system". We can install any OS we want to the drives and they will boot. The BIOS sees the drives. But the IRST in the BIOS does not. We tried all of the HOWTOs we could find online. We found a video showing someone from ASUS appearing to do RAID0 with the same cards and an ASROCK Z170 Extreme7+, so I ordered that board to try it. However, the drives still do not show. The comments regarding that video suggest the drives in the video are connected using U.2. Other HOWTOs show people using M2 drives. Is the problem with IRST or with the board? Or is this just not possible with PCIe NVMe cards?

Thanks for your help,

John

[idata]

duperon,

We have tested this and it should works fine, make sure you have the latest version of the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology, you can download it here: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25165/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Intel-RST-RAID-Driver Download Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) RAID Driver

On the link, you may check the readme file in order to check support options. In the BIOS, please make sure the settings are correct to enable NVMe and RAID storage options, as well under advanced the PCIe storage option enabled.

Once you install the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology the drives should show up and you will be able to create the RAID.

Let us know if you have any more questions or if it did not work so we can continue assisting you.

[JJohn29]

nestor_intel,

What you are talking about is using software RAID with IRST within the OS. I am talking about using it within the BIOS, before the machine even boots into an OS. This is possible using Intel 750s that connect to these ASUS boards using the U.2 connectors and adapters connected to the M.2 slots on the board. I have seen videos of this, read articles about it. I would like to do the same but with Intel 750s of the card variety. In this picture you have the U.2 connecting drive on the left. I have and want to do the same but with the one on the right: http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/images/product/16x9/ssd-750-series-16x9.png.rendit... http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/images/product/16x9/ssd-750-series-16x9.png.rendit....

Here is a video using the M.2 slot and configuring everything in the BIOS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp3eOrbQeiA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp3eOrbQeiA

You can see at 2:30 he uses the IRST within the BIOS to setup his RAID array. I want to do the same.

Is this possible with this card?

[idata]

duperon,

We have researched on this situation and tested in our lab, it seems this is not possible.

Bios in the Asus Z170 Deluxe seem to show we can use a u.2 and the PCIe slot 3 as PCIe/NVMe devices.

We tried creating a RAID with one u.2 and an HHHL card in PCIe 3 and we were unable to have both cards visible in system BIOS simultaneously.

Chipset Z170 uses Intel RST which works with the RAID controller inside the PCH – This requires the PCIe slot or U.2 drive to be routed through the PCH.

RAID must use one of the 20x PCIe 3.0 attached to the chipset. (Not direct attached to CPU)

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9485/intel-skylake-z170-motherboards-asrock-asus-gigabyte-msi-ecs-evga... Intel Skylake Z170 Motherboards: A Quick Look at 55+ New Products

[idata]

duperon,

We have not heard back from you, we are wondering if you still require assistance about this case?

Thanks.