topic Re: Smart Array P800 external port problem in Disk Enclosures

Smart Array P800 external port problem

PDP-Fan — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:54:28 GMT

I have a funny problem with two Smart Array P800 controllers. Maybe someone has a clue to solve it...

It started with one controller I got from a customer who claimed to have problems with one external port. I bought a special SAS cable to connect 4 individual disk drives to one ext. port.
When I connect the cable with 4 drives to port 2E (external-2), then I see all 4 drives in ACU.
Then I change the connector to port 1E and I see only 1 drive.

My conclusion was that there must be something wrong with port 1E... we bought a new (used) controller.
Now I'm testing the new controller and I see exactly the same problem. All drives on port 2E available but only one drive on port 1E.

Two controllers with exactly the same defect???

Is there someone having the same experience? Or possibly a solution for this funny problem?

Re: Smart Array P800 external port problem

Zygmunt Krawczyk — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:17:11 GMT

P800 external ports support wide connection (x4) to external devices, not x1 connection to individual disks.

Re: Smart Array P800 external port problem

PDP-Fan — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:58:55 GMT

If this is true... why does it work on one external port but not on the other? Do they have different specifications?

Re: Smart Array P800 external port problem

TarunJain — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:40:30 GMT

Hi,
Its by design. You can't help it.
You can verify this on another controller.
HP will not listen as you are not using the cable specified by them