Hi cmhippy, yes you'll definitely would need to back you data up, it's not possible to transfer RAID configurations from a software RAID controller to a hardware RAID controller. 
I'm thinking of substituting (adding?) a PERC H710 to our R320.  It currently has an S110 (software raid controller?). To play it safe I'll have a complete bare metal backup. Is it possible to add a PERC H710 using my original two drives in RAID 1 and not have to go through a complete reinstall or recovery from backup? It would make life so less nerve wracking ... Thanks in advance! Sincerely, Chris H.
R320 Substituting PERC S110 for an PERC H710 - no loss of data