topic Install problem - RHEL4 (ES) on ML110 G4 in Operating System - Linux

Install problem - RHEL4 (ES) on ML110 G4

tep — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:40:04 GMT

I'm trying to install RHEL4 ES on a Proliant ML110 (G4). The problem I'm running into is that the hard drive is not being detected by the installer and, consequentially, cannot be partitioned for installation.

I have a single-drive SAS system, using the 4/8 port SAS adapter (The LSI Logic board). I have downloaded the mptlinux HBA and placed it on floppy and on a USB key, but neither seem to work. (I used the 'linux dd' command with the floppy in a USP floppy drive) The installed reads the floppy, but Anaconda still reports no drive available to partition.

I have run the Proliant diags on the drive and it passes with flying colors. The SAS setup utility also see the drive and seems to have no trouble accessing it, either.

I'm sure the trouble is HBA-related, but I'm stumped as to what I should do now.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Install problem - RHEL4 (ES) on ML110 G4

Steven E. Protter — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:13:02 GMT

Shalom,

Boot the system with the latest cd from HP (downloadable iso available or in the server shipping box) and update the bios/firmware to the latest version.

Then boot into disk conguration mode either with the cd or the bios. See what disk is visible to the system. If the disk doesn't show there, Red Hat will never see it. If the disk does show up in the configuration utility, then configure it for the system and Red Hat will see it next boot.

Its possible you have hardware combination on the SAN side that Red Hat simply does not report. Check their hardware compatability list and then if missing go to the vendor for the proper drivers for Red Hat Linux 4.x

SEP

Re: Install problem - RHEL4 (ES) on ML110 G4

tep — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:37:36 GMT

The only CD that came with the server was the HP Insight Diagnosis cd. It has drivers and other support information, but none of them resolve this problem.

The drive does appear both in the MPT SAS BIOS and in the Insight Diags. Is is set as the primary boot device. From what I'm seeing, it appears to be responding and connected properly.

Both the SAS adaptor and the System BIOS are up to date.

When the RHEL installer starts up, it does load MPT SCSI and SAS drivers. (both are present in theis system. There is the SAS that the primary drive is attached to and the U320 controller that will run the tape drive) I thought there might be a conflict with two MPT controllers in the machine, but removing the U320 controller does not make any difference at all.

The server itself is listed as certified compatible with RHEL4, in both SAS and SATA configuration. I know I must be doing something wrong, but I can't figure out what.

Thanks again.

Re: Install problem - RHEL4 (ES) on ML110 G4

Court Campbell — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:51:18 GMT

which RHEL ES 4 are you trying to install? Is it update 2, 3, or 4? Also what is your processor type?

Re: Install problem - RHEL4 (ES) on ML110 G4

Court Campbell — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:55:44 GMT

Also during the install did you hit the tab key to and then type:

# linux updates dd

If not your disk never got loaded.

Re: Install problem - RHEL4 (ES) on ML110 G4

tep — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 07:55:52 GMT

It is version 4. Processor is a dual-core Intel Xeon (1.86GHz)

According to the prompts, it is unnecessary to hit the tab key before entering the 'linux update dd' line, but yes, I have been entering that at the boot: prompt. It does ask for a driver disk and seems to read one, but never really loads a driver afterward.

As the SCSI BIOS screen mentions MPT by name, I'm using the mptlinux-3.02.83.12-2.rhel4.i686.dd package from the ML110 G4 support pages. I have also tried the cciss package from the same place out of desperation, but have had no more luck with that.

If I load the cciss drivers or load no drivers, the installer also loads the mptbase and mptscsih drivers (as well as the usb-storage driver that loads for the USB floppy drive). Many times I only see it load the usb-storage driver after loading the MPT disk into the system.

Re: Install problem - RHEL4 (ES) on ML110 G4

Court Campbell — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 10:10:12 GMT

the driver is only supported on rhel es 4 updates 2, 3, and 4. you will need to go to the rhn.redhat.com and go to the channels section. Then download one of those versions. Yo uwill need to create an account if you don't have one.

Re: Install problem - RHEL4 (ES) on ML110 G4

tep — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 10:54:53 GMT

The "update 2,3, or 4" part totally went over my head for a while there.

Then I started to look at the media in the pretty box with the pretty labels and noticed that they don't mention anything about update anything.

I then switched to the disks I had burned from iso files a month ago for testing purposes and, sure enough, they say "U4" on them. They work, too.

Thanks for all the answers, you've all been very helpful. I guess my newness to Red Hat got me good on this one.

Re: Install problem - RHEL4 (ES) on ML110 G4

Steven E. Protter — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 11:36:23 GMT

Shalom

U4 is update 4. Based on the other posts it should work.

SEP