Common SATA-Drives on ML350G4p

[Dieplinger]

Hi,
isn´t it possible to connect a common SATA drive without hot plug´n´play to a ProLiant ML350G4p server? If it is, how can this be done. Unfortunately I have already bought some cheap SATA drives and I found out that it is impossible to fix them in the harddisk bay. And I don´t have enough HP drives with its "special" embedding case.

Any help would be appreciated

Yves

[Brian_Murdoch · Accepted solution]

Hi Yves,

Without converting the backplane to SATA and buying the drive enclosures there are few choices. The official kit won't be cheap from HP.

A much cheaper option is to use the 2 X 5.25 inch bays above the CD-ROM and fit a cheap 3-drive SATA backplane. This comes with fan, drive enclosures and is easily installed. Just fit your SATA drives into the provided enclosures and plug them in. SATA cabling and drive power is done on the backplane.

Since Compaq/HP Hotplug SCSI drives are easily obtained on Ebay you could have the O/S on SCSI within your existing hotplug backplane and large DATA volume on SATA. You would need an additional SATA controller and cables but the PCI versions are not too expensive. Have a look at this SATA backplane for example.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=212704

A more technical description of the unit is also available here.

http://www.chieftec.de/pdf/manual_SNT-2131SATA.pdf

I hope this helps.

Brian

[Dieplinger]

Thank you Brian

Well, I already have a SATA version of the server. But there are no drive enclosure delivered with.
The advantage of this server is that there is place for 6 SATA drives in the hot plug´n´play part. (I want to install at least 5 harddrives) but I don´t need the hot plug´n´play option. and the guy on the preselling phone didnt told me that I would need drive enclosure. is there really no possibility to fix the drives in the hot plug´n´play frame? or to get a appropriated drive enclosure for it?

[Brian_Murdoch]

Hi Yves,

Sorry I did not realize you already had the SATA backplane. In this case you may be forced to buy HP Hot-plug SATA drives to be able to fit them to the backplane.

I am not aware that HP sell the drive holder as a spare part or option but I will check further (It is very unlikely).

The backplane you haev is a "Hot-plug" model. Even though you do not want to use it for Hot-plug you will have to fit Hot-plug drives.

Here is a link to the HP Hot-plug SATA drives available.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11940_div/11940_div.HTML

If I can find out more I will update.

Brian

[Dieplinger]

Thank you for your help.