How to Configure Intel VROC NVMe RAID

Purpose: 

This guide explains how to enable Intel VMD (Volume Management Device) via BIOS and configure an NVMe RAID array using Intel VROC (Virtual RAID on CPU). This configuration allows users to significantly enhance storage performance (e.g., RAID 0) or establish data redundancy (e.g., RAID 1, 5, or 10).

Target Audience:

To users who would like to setup on VROC NVMe on supported model.

Prerequisites:

• Hardware Compatibility: A motherboard and Intel processor that support Intel VROC.

• VROC Hardware Key:  For NVMe RAID, Please Follow below Intel VROC Upgrade Key Differentiations.

  Key	RAID Support
  N/A	Only Pass-through, RAID 0 support on some Intel SSD
  Intel VROC Standard	RAID 0,1 and 10
  Intel VROC Premium	RAID 0,1,5,10 with RAID Write Hole Closure

• Storage Devices: Two or more NVMe SSDs .

• Data Backup: Creating a RAID array will permanently erase all existing data on the selected drives. Back up any critical data beforehand.

Steps:

1. Enable VMD (Volume Management Device) in BIOS

• Navigate to  Hardware > Northbridge > PCI Express Ports Configuration to ensure PCIe Port VMD Support option is enable (Some BIOS is open as default).
• After Enable it, save and reset the system.

2. Access the Intel VROC Configuration Menu

• Navigate to the Advanced menu, Intel(R) Virtual RAID on CPU should appear.
• Select Create RAID Volume.

• Scroll to the list of available drives and select the NVMe SSDs you want to include in the array (By pressing Space or marking them with an X).

• Capacity: Leave this at the maximum default value unless you need to create multiple smaller volumes.

• Select Create Volume at the bottom of the screen to confirm and execute the setup.

5. Post-Configuration (OS Installation and Drivers)

For Windows Installations:

• Manual Driver Loading: During the Windows setup at the "Where do you want to install Windows?" step, the RAID volume will likely be invisible. You must manually load the Intel VROC F6 Driver via a USB flash drive. Once loaded, the installer will detect the RAID volume.

• System Management: After the OS is installed, download and install the Intel VROC GUI software for Windows to monitor drive health and manage the array from your desktop.

For Linux Installations (Ubuntu Server & Desktop):

• Native Support: Modern Linux distributions, including Ubuntu Server  (22.04 LTS, and newer), feature native inbox driver support for Intel VMD. You generally do not need to load external drivers manually(Ubuntu Desktop is not officially validated for VROC).

• Volume Detection: During the installation, the VROC RAID array should be automatically detected as a single block device (often labeled as /dev/md126 or /dev/md/VolumeName).