topic Re: Smart Array Controllers in ProLiant Servers (ML,DL,SL)

Smart Array Controllers

Ed78 — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:08:33 GMT

I have an HP Proliant DL370 G6 Server working with a 1+0 array on its default 512 MB p410 controller, I want to add a second array Raid5 on the same controller with 3 new 300GB drives but it doesnt appear RAID 5, I have only RAID 0 option. I tought that maybe I would need more cache memory, so I installed a 2 GB p420 controller PCIe, but in this scenario I can't do anything on this controller from ACU, It doesnt appear the unused disks so I cant create anything.

I remove the cache memory card from p410 controller and I removed the 3 new drives too, I had only 2 146GB drives inserted to create the 1+0 array again but in this case on p420 controller, I marked it as default boot, I erased the logical drive from p410 controller but when I wanted to create the logical drive on p420 controller it tells me that there are not physical drives detected. If I return to p410 controller can create it with no problems but not from p420 controller.

Does somebody have any idea that could help me? I'm starting to work with servers so I dont have too much knlowledge about them.

Thanks and regards

Re: Smart Array Controllers

Johan Guldmyr — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:36:42 GMT

You need to connect the drives to the new controller. Just installing a PCIe card does not automatically connect it to any disks.

Re: Smart Array Controllers

gregersenj — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:16:27 GMT

The P410 must have write cache enabled, for RAID 5

see section: Fault Tolerence:

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13201_na/13201_na.HTML

Also read the Smart Array Technology Brief:

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/technology/whitepapers/proliant-storage.html

/jag

Re: Smart Array Controllers

VBO — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:31:27 GMT

Hello,

Which is the gain from a 512Mb FBWC and the 2Gb FBWC ? Real gain in a Hyper-V 3.0 environment ?

Re: Smart Array Controllers

Ed78 — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:42:24 GMT

It was just because ACU wasnt offering us a RAID 5 option for our 3 disks, only RAID 0, we were thinking that he reason was memory issue, but it didn't. As fact I want to do both array on p410 controller, but I don't know what is missing to enable RAID 5 on that controller.

Re: Smart Array Controllers

gregersenj — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:03:14 GMT

You need a write cache enabler.

You have 2 options:

1. BBWC - Battery Backed Write Cache.

Depending on the Smart Array model, you will get a battery only or a new Cache module with Battery.

2. FBWC - Flash Backed Write Cache.

The FBWC used a flash card and super capasitors, to flush unwritten data in write cache, in case of power loss.

The BBWC, use a battery to keep the cache module powered in case of power loss.

It will also kep unwritten data safe in case of failure on the Smart Array controller.

/jag