So…. normally you get a new IBM server. You download the update express CD (Except now you have to download the IBM ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator) update everything in the system then pop in the ServerGuide CD http://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-GUIDE and then configure the RAID Adapter.

But then I got this:

Bad Status has been detected on 2 physical drives. What is going on here? Did we get to bad drives shipped to us? That doesn’t seem likely?

So I try all sorts of things, after the whole mezzanine issue (LINK) I’m starting to suspect all of the hardware. But everything seems to check out OK.

Then I remembered vaguely reading something about the RAID and UEFI. And there it was page 362 of the 580 page manual

Create a drive RAID array before installation. The ServeRAID management interface is
accessible via UEFI settings, by selecting System Settings  Adapters and UEFI
Drivers.

You open up this abomination from the UEFI screen

 

Then it brings up a screen where you can configure your JBOD disks as unconfirmed good. At that point you can use serverguide to set up the RAID…. very annoying.