Problems Installing centon 5.4 on DL320 G6 (505682-421)

[Stephan Viljoen]

Hi There,

I recently purchased a HP DL320 G6 server from a local distributor with 3 x 146G SAS drives already installed but I'm experiencing some difficulties when I try and install Centos 5.4.

It's basically not picking up the hard disks when I get to the stage to create my partitions.

First thing I tried were to create a driver disk with the following I downloaded from the HP Website (hpahcisr-1.2.1-6.rhel5.i686.dd) which didn't make any difference. I also updated the BIOS and tried both the 32Bit and 64Bit version of Centos 5.4.

Is there anything I'm missing here?

[Jimmy Vance]

I can't find a listing for 505682-421, the closest I see is 505682-001 which is the entry level DL320 G6 that has the B110i SATA controller. Did you add one of the optional SAS/SATA Smart Array Controllers?

Generally when the OS does not see the drive it's usally one of two things.
1) An array has not been created
2) The OS does not have the driver for the controller.

CentOS 5.4 should contain the cciss driver needed for any of the current P series Smart Array controllers. (The B110i Smart Array uses a special driver not included in any OS)


If you added a P212, P410, or P411 yourself, you also need the HP MS HP CA MiniSAS to MiniSAS 33" Cable Kit (P/N 496014-B21)

Once you know your using the right controller, you need to create an array/logical drive. During POST the Smart Array controller will identify itself, press F8 to get into ORCA (Option ROM Configuration for Arrays) and create an array. If you need more control over how many logical drives to create, boot the SmartStart CD and run ACU (Array Configuration Utility)

Once you have an array created boot the OS CD and install

[Stephan Viljoen]

Nope, I didn't add any additional raid controllers. I've opened the server and it seems like it's a 4 port sata controller integrated into the motherboard.

I did create a driver disk with the B110i SATA controller drivers on it which I loaded at the beginning of the installation process but it doesn't look like this had any effect.

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom,

IF the system has a built in raid controller, you need to set up storage with the bios based utility.

Then you can boot centos 5.4 and get recognition of the disk.

Normally these systems ship with the disk already set up, but sometimes not.

The utility to do this is built into the system. Best to do this at the console and hit the indicated function key for the P400 or smart array controller.

The interface is clunky, but usable.

SEP

[Jimmy Vance · Accepted solution]

The embedded controller is a SATA controller, I don't think it will work with your SAS disks, you need to add one of the following Smart Array controllers along with the cable I mentioned above

SAS Controllers
NOTE: When using the following Smart Array Controllers the HP MS HP CA MiniSAS to MiniSAS 33" Cable Kit (P/N 496014-B21) is required.
Smart Array P212 Controller
HP Smart Array P212/Zero Memory Controller 462828-B21

HP Smart Array P212/256 MB Controller 462834-B21

Smart Array P410 Controller
HP Smart Array P410/256 MB Controller 462862-B21

HP Smart Array P410/512 MB with BBWC Controller 462864-B21

Smart Array P411 Controller
HP Smart Array P411/256MB Controller 482830-B21

HP Smart Array P411/512MB Battery Backed Write Cache 462832-B21

NOTE: Please see the following QuickSpecs for Technical Specifications and additional information:
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13203_na/13203_na.html
(Smart Array P212 Controller)

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13201_na/13201_na.html
(Smart Array P410 Controller)

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13202_na/13202_na.html
(Smart Array P411 Controller)

Optional Upgrades
256 MB Cache Module
NOTE: Supported on HP Smart Array P212 Controller only. 462968-B21
512MB BBWC
NOTE: Supported on HP Smart Array P410 Controller and HP Smart Array P411 Controller only. 462967-B21
Battery Kit upgrade
NOTE: To enable BBWC on the 256MB cache.
NOTE: Supported on HP Smart Array P212 Controller, HP Smart Array P410 Controller, and HP Smart Array P411 Controller only.

DL320 G6 Quickspecs page
http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13344_na/13344_na.html#Core%20Options

[Stephan Viljoen]

Thanks for all the info , I'll take it up with the local distributer as they've sold me the system as is.

[Michal Kapalka (mikap)]

hi,

this is your current configuration :

Models

NOTE: For the Standard Features shipped in the "Factory Integrated Models", please see the "Configuration Information - Factory Integrated Models" section.
HP DL320 G6 Entry Models
HP DL320G6 E5502
505682-xx1 == xx=42 Europe location

Processors
Intel® Xeon® Processor E5502 (1.86 GHz, 4MB L3 Cache, 80 Watts, DDR3-800)
Cache Memory
4MB L3 Cache
Memory
4 GB (2 x 2 GB) DDR3 RDIMM
Network Controller
Embedded NC326i Dual Port Gigabit Server Adapter
Storage Controller
HP Smart Array B110i SATA RAID Controller (RAID 0/1/0+1)
Hard Drives
None ship standard
Internal Storage
Up to 4 x 1TB 3.5" Hot plug SATA/SAS, Maximum
NOTE: SAS requires optional PCI Controller.
Optical Drive
Optional
Power Supply
Auto-sensing 400-Watt PFC Power Supply, CE Mark Compliant
Fans
5 dual rotor fans ship standard
Form Factor
Rack (1U), (1.70 in/4.32 cm)

mikap

[Stephan Viljoen]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Seems like the problem is definitely the supplier that didn't knew what they were doing and as a result gave me an incomplete solution. I reckon the easiest way would be to just buy an additional raid controller..

[Stephan Viljoen]

I'm going to close the thread and will open a new one if I still have problems after I intalled the raid controller.

Thanks again..