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

Smart Array Configuration

Melinda Myers_2 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 10:19:49 GMT

Hello,

I have questions regarding array configuration. The server has the following specs:

Proliant DL380 G3
Smart Array Controller 642
Single Array:
5 Physical disks each 72 GB
4 disks have 10 Logical Drives All logical drives are RAID 5.
5th disk is spare
HP Array Configuration Utility version 7.5.0.23.0
Operating System: Windows 2003 Std Edition w/ SP1

I have created a memory pagefile for Windows that is currently located on one of the
logical drives of the RAID array. I know that this is not the best configuration.
B/c of striping the paging will take a major performance hit and the pagefile will be
fragmented. I want to instead create a pagefile on a disk that is not striped.

I am not sure how to do this on the current array.

Here is what I am thinking:

Add a 6th physical disk to the array and create a logical drive w/ RAID 0. This logical
drive would take the entire capacity of the physical disk. Create the pagefile on a
partition on this logical volume and do not use this lv for anything else.

1st - can I have a LV in the array w/ RAID 0 when all other LVs are RAID 5?
2nd - If there is only one RAID 0 LV, will the pagefile be confined to this LV and
not be striped?

Will this plan work? Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Re: Smart Array Configuration

Steven Clementi — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:03:41 GMT

Melinda:

1st - You can mix and match Logical Drive raid levels easily. The "Array" is not raid away, rather the Logical Disk is. the array s more of just a pool of Disks.

2nd - if you ADD a disk to the existing array, the pagefile will effectively be "striped" across all disks since data is spread out in the array.

If you are going to use raid0, the I would simply install the new drive, create a new array "Array B" with the one drive, initialize, format and set up pagefile. THis would guaranttee the pagefile is on that one single disk.

Steven

Re: Smart Array Configuration

Melinda Myers_2 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:18:22 GMT

Thanks Steven.

I did think about creating a 2nd array, but at first thought that I couldn't. I did not see it as an option that was currently available (see attached). I guess it would make sense that this option won't be available until I add another physical disk.

I appreciate your assistance with this!!!