Z4 G4 - VROC RAID1 for boot. Best way to add 2x data SSDs in different RAID volume?

[wny2016]

I have a Z4 G4 set up with 2 x 1Tb NvMe M.2 sticks in the motherboard slots, RAID1 set up with VROC dongle. This volume appears as logical (boot) drive C: to the system.

I am going to add another RAID1 array of 2 x 2Tb SSD drives for data. I have done this in previous machines by using the relatively slow Microsemi 2100-4i4e RAID controller as the second RAID1 array, connected to a pair of 2.5" SSD drives. Seems to run quickly, but the Microsemi only supports 6 Gb/s transfer rate = relatively slow.

I noticed that the HP  Z Turbo Drive Dual Pro  specs say that "One of the M.2 SSD modules on the card can be used as a Boot device, and the other device can be used as Data storage. Alternatively, both of the M.2 SSD modules can be used as Data devices. " 

Also from the specs: On Z8 G4, Z6 G4, and Z4 G4, bootable RAID support can be configured via VROC. VROC is an Intel technology that allows NVMe devices to be configured and included in RAID arrays. There are two versions of VROC available to customers: - Standard – This version enables RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10. RAID volumes are bootable as long as the configured devices are all on the same PCIe Root Port. "

So, my question is, given that the VROC seems to allow for more than one RAID volume,  e, can a hypothetical second volume be configured as a different LOGICAL drive to the system?

I.e., RAID1 boot array = 2 x NvMe M.2 SSDs connected to motherboard = logical drive C

RAID1 data array = 2 x NvMe M.2 drives connected via HP  Z Turbo Drive Dual Pro  = logical drive E

(All of this is just for operational redundancy in the event of drive failure. The machine's data drives would always backed up once a day to our NAS.)

[DGroves · Accepted solution]

raid controllers cannot span chipsets.

if using intel VROC, then all storage devices must be directly seen on the intel  controllers built into the chipset/bios

a dumb pci-e card might work (IE- card that attaches directly to the chipset via the pci-e bus).  but any pci-e card that has onboard logic or bios  will not work (such as dedicated raid cards that have their own bios, or a pci-e card that has onboard bifurcation logic to split each ssd into a x4 config on a x16 bus)

a card that requires bifurcation via the computers raid bios might seem work as that card and the motherboards drive controllers are all on the same chipset, but as each raid section is on a slightly different bios section of the main motherboard bios i suspect not

[wny2016]

Thank you - very clear. I guess the data RAID1 array will then just be 2 x 2.5" SSDs running off the Microsemi card - or maybe something a bit faster. In a different Z4, the VROC and the Microsemi /HP 2100 4i4e RAID card coexist without any issues. That system seems plenty fast, FWIW.

[DGroves]

look at the adaptec asr 71605 or the later 8xxxx series for raid and drive options capability, just make sure to get a card that has the optional cach/battery backup module

these cards while not as fast as a dedicated  LSI 92/93 series raid card are almost as fast, and unlike the LSI cards very flexible as they support RAID and JBOD at the same time and are true passthrough type cards meaning any non raid JBOD drive on these raid cards will work with any motherboards onboard SATA/SAS ports

check on ebay for current prices they should be 50.00/100.00 for the 7xxxxx series and 100.00 Plus for the 8xxxx series

[wny2016]

Had a look around eBay for RAID cards. I don't think I need the battery backup feature. These cards have 12GB/s transfer speeds for both SAS and SATA drives, also handle JBOD (don't need), etc. What do you think?

LSI 9300-81