DL380 G3 internal array only running at U3 speeds

[B. Faulk]

I have a DL380 G3 with 6 U320 15k RPM hard drives in the internal cage connected to a Smart Array 6402. The drives are all on one channel (simplex) and there are no other drives connected. I have the current firmware for all connected drives and hardware.

The HP system management home page for the internal enclosure reports all of the individual drives running at U320 speeds, all report U320 speed enabled, but says the backplane speed is only Ultra 3. According to the docs I found the backplane is supposed to be capable of U320.

Shouldn't this be running with a U320 interface speed?

Is there another diagnostic program that will tell the speed of the interface actually being used instead of the individual disk speeds?

[RGP]

ALL Components in use must be U320 Capable
To obtain Ultra 320 throughput all components in the SCSI bus must be U320 capable.

1. SCSI adapter or Array Controller
2. SCSI Cabling
3. SCSI Drive Cage backplane
4. SCSI Hard Drive

In your case check the SCSI Cabling..

U320 Cabling
Ultra-3 & Ultra-4 internal 30" point to point cable â Ass#166298-013 Option 166390-B21 SPN 163351-001
Ultra-3 & Ultra-4 internal 4 device terminated cable - Ass #: 148785-004 SPN 356553-001

See the Smart Array Controller user guide for additional cabling information.

SA6402/6404 User Guide â See Page 20

http://cybrary.inet.cpqcorp.net/HW/STOR/CONTROLLERS/SMART6400/index.html?/HW/STOR/CONTROLLERS/SMART6400/resources.html

[B. Faulk]

Thanks for the reply! I already have a new cable coming, hopefully it works. I called HP and they couldn't find a part# to use. If I don't have any luck I'll try the part#s from your reply on eBay. Thanks again!

(btw: the url doesn't work cpqcorp.net doesn't currently function)

[Ryan Goff]

The SCSI Backplane board in the DL380G3 server only supports a maximum of Ultra3. Ultra320 drives still work, they will just run at the lower speeds.

Unfortunately there is no way around it due to the limitations of the hardware backplane and there is no upgrade. The G4 servers do support Ultra320 drives at max speed via the SCSI backplane but those parts are not interchangable between the G3 and G4 models.

If it is necessary to have Ultra320 speeds you may want to look at getting an external storage enclosure that will run off the external port on the 6402 controller for maximum performance.

[B. Faulk]

The "configuring storage" info for the DL380 G3 says:

"An internal Wide Ultra3/Ultra320-ready backplane supports up to six 1 'hard disk drives in the storage drive bays and is easily configurable to support simplex (6x1) or duplex mode (2x4)."

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=115&prodSeriesId=316529&prodTypeId=15351&objectID=c00355176

[RGP]

Request for Spare Part # 163351-001 or
356553-001.