Linux – Issue in installing CentOS7 in Dell PowerEdge R640

centos7delldell-poweredgelinuxrhel7

We recently purchased a Dell R640 with Perc H740P Mini (Embedded) RAID controller. There are two 500GB SAS disks in RAID 1.

When we tried to install CentOS7.2 (via cdrom) from our custom image, we got the below error as it was not able to detect the hard disks.

enter image description here

And from this link (https://www.centos.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=64039), we found that it could be an issue with CentOS 7.2 and it's fixed in CentOS 7.4.

So, I downloaded CentOS 7.4 and when I tried to install it, its giving me the below error. FWIW, the same iso image is working fine on a virtual machine.

enter image description here

I looked around but couldn't find anything amiss. I did try re-creating the virtual drive/running hardware diagnostics but nothing helped. PERC firmware is up to date.

Any pointers will be helpful.

Let me know if you have any queries, thanks.

Best Answer

You will have to download the newest driver from Dell and make it available during the CentOS 7 installation process. The following steps worked for me:

  • Ensure that the BIOS SATA Settings specify "AHCI Mode."
  • Configure your virtual disk in the H740P, not the S140.
  • Download the latest RHEL 7 driver (not the firmware) for PERC H740P from Dell's website. The download will include an iso.gz.
  • Unzip it to the ".iso" file.
  • Perform the OS installation from an iDRAC Virtual Console.
  • When booting to the installation, press 'e' on the "Install CentOS 7" line.
  • Append "inst.dd" to the linuxefi line and press F10.
  • Once the terminal rests at a prompt, mount the ".iso" file as a Virtual CD using iDRAC's Virtual Media feature. (You can unmount a virtual installation CD briefly if needed)
  • Enter 'r' at the prompt to refresh the listing.
  • Select the CD image. A driver should be detected.
  • Select to install the included driver (make sure the box is checked with an X), then continue.
  • Unmount the Virtual CD (and possibly remount what was previously there, such as an install iso).
  • The PERC H740P's virtual disk should be detectable now.
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