MSA2012fc new enclosure

[Joshua Small_2]

Hi,

We have an in use MSA2012fc running an ESXi environment.

We are about to buy another enclosure to add to it. I have found the installation manual but been unable to find a clear answer on whether this can be hot added, or whether I need to down the entire SAN for this upgrade? Obviously - the latter is not desireable.

[Patrick Terlisten · Accepted solution]

Hello Joshua,

you have to shutdown them MSA2012fc if you want to add an enclosure.

Regards,
Patrick

[Joshua Small_2]

Hi Patrick,

Not the answer I was hoping for - but thanks.

[P Muralidhar Kini]

Hi Joshua,

Discsusions on a similar requirement -

* MSA2012fc hot plug enclosures
https://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1432196

* msa2012fc expansion
https://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1351599

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Murali

[Joshua Small_2]

Hi,

Rip's final post discusses the same thing I found earlier - HP's product bulletin claims that enclosures are hot swappable.

The statements that it is not however seems the safer option.

[Patrick Terlisten]

Hello,

AFAIK is hot-plug expansion of enclosures not supported, because you have to re-cable the storage. Replacement and expansion of IO modules and controllers is supported. With the P2000 G3 also hot-plug extension of enclosures is supported.

You better log a call at HP to confirm it.

Regards,
Patrick

[Tom Przybylak]

I have a 2312FC and bought a new enclosure as well. I just got off the phone with HP and they said its as simple as racking the new enclosure, cabling it to the back of the existing 2312FC, and powering it up. The SAN should see the new drivespace, and you go from there.

Did you do it this way? Did you have any issues or problems? I'm curious as to how you did this and if it worked.

Thanks!

[Joshua Small_2]

Hi Tom,

We're actually doing the installation this weekend, so I couldn't answer your query. I don't see why there'd be any more to it though.

[aoh]

Hi Joshua,

We are in the same boat and was wondering how you went with adding the enclosure to the msa2012fc. Did you just attach the cables and power it on (hot add) or did you have to bring the controllers down first then start up the enclosure with the HD drives installed and then power up the msa2012fc.

Did you have to take any other steps? Your experiences would be really helpful

Thanks

[Joshua Small_2]

Hi,

We shutdown the SAN completely, cabled the new unit and powered it up.
It just felt like the safest option for a production SAN.