Expand RAID5

[Roland Klug]

Hi, we have a new ML350G6 Server and before we use it in our productive enviroment we are testing some scenarios.
One is to expand the RAID5 with one additional hdd (Yes: Same Type!!)
Problem: there is no option in the SmartArray Manager to do this....
The Server has a SmartArray 410i/256 controller on board.
Do I need the battery Pack to get the expand option available or is this featire generally not supportet by the controller?
Thanks.
Roland

[Michal Kapalka (mikap)]

hi,

Management Features
Online array expansion (with BBWC/FBWC upgrade)
Online Advanced Capacity Expansion (with BBWC/FBWC and Smart Array Advanced Pack upgrade)
Online logical drive extension (with BBWC.FBWC upgrade)
Online RAID level migration (with BBWC/FBWC upgrade)
Online strip size migration (with BBWC/FBWC upgrade)
Offline Mirror splitting and recombining (with BBWC/FBWC and Smart Array Advanced Pack upgrade)
Unlimited global online spare assignment
User selectable expand and rebuild priority
User selectable RAID level and stripe size
User selectable read and write cache sizes

mikap

[Roland Klug]

Hi, thanks for your fast reply!
... so I have to add the BatteryPack to do array expansion - right?!
regards
roland

[Michal Kapalka (mikap)]

hi,

this is from quick spec of this controller :

Modular, easy-to-upgrade design lets you optimize performance by upgrading from 40-bit 256MB cache to 72-bit 512MB battery-backed write cache (BBWC) or 72-bit 512MB/1G Flash Backed Write Cache (FBWC).
Addition of the battery or flash backed cache upgrade enables array expansion, logical drive extension, RAID migration, and stripe size migration.

mikap