RP5740 with DS2100s, move to DS2405 fiber channel?

[Joshua Scott]

Leif,

I apologize, You are correct about the RAID cards.

Peter,

I beleive the difference between the cards is that the RAID 4Si (a5856a) is only Ultra2, where the A7143A is ultra160. definitly go for the A7143A.

-Josh

[Bernhard Mueller]

Hey,

two seconds ago I didn't even know about the A7143A! But be warned, the support list says HP-UX 11i, and moreover "supported JBODs: 4300 family" - no DS2100 like for the RAID 4si.

So you should double-check with your vendor if there is support for your JBODs and the A7143A, if yes (and you have HP-UX 11.11) go for it.

Regards,
Bernhard

[Bernhard Mueller]

Peter,

one more thing to mention: for the RAID 4si card you need the irm utility to bind your disks into LUNs.

If you have 11.00 you need to install the I2O_RAID (irm) software and drivers, if you have a default installed 11.11 machine, swlist will already show:
RAID-00 B.11.11.01 PCI RAID; Supptd HW=A5856A

For the transition I would have an idea: leave the current DS2100 where they are, plug in the card, attach two new DS2100, bind RAID-0 luns, create new vgs, lvols, fs, copy over data from old DS2100.

Give it a test run.

Next step would be to vgexport the vg-s on the old DS2100, attach them to the RAID card, bind similar RAID-0 luns, setup LVM mirror.

Well, by doing it this way you give away some of the intended performance gain. On the other hand it allows for a somewhat smooth and safe transition.

It was just a thought I wanted to share, it will be your decision anyway...

Regards,
Bernhard