External HP StorageWorks Ultrium 3000 LTO5 on DL180 G6

[topokin]

I have an "External HP StorageWorks Ultrium 3000 LTO5" drive connected to a "DL180 G6" server through "Smart Array P212" controller. The Server is a Windows Server 2008 R2 64bit and driver installed. However the tape drive is not visible on my DeviceManager.

I also observed that trying to update the storage-drive with latest Firmware and driver failed that the device is not installed. I can only see the array controller in the device manager.

What should be done?

Thanks

[Michael A. McKenney]

You can't use a P212 RAID controller for a tape drive. You need a SAS/SCSI controller for it. You never want a tape drive on the same controller as your drives.

[topokin]

The P212 is a PCI Express (PCIe) Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) RAID controller as per this link:

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/proliantstorage/arraycontrollers/smartarrayp212/index.html

and it is compatible with the environment I am trying to use it for:

http://www.hp.com/products1/storage/compatibility/tapebackup/ISS/13-0003-0001.html#matrixtable

The Disk-Drives themselves are connected to P410 controller. The P212 was builtin in addition to cater for the "Ultrium 3000 LTO5"

[topokin]

I have been able to resolved the problme by updating the controller Firmware and driver, and as well as pluging the controller-cable into the second slot.

[Michael A. McKenney]

It is not the best practice to have a tape drive on the same SCSI/SAS or RAID controller as the hard drives. You can degrade performance of the backup. You should place it on a separate controller.

[Ali]

Hi There,

that's the fix for this issue.

As per compatibility list p212 is a recommended controller to connect Ultrium 3000 drive. http://www.hp.com/products1/storage/compatibility/tapebackup/ISS/Detail/16-0068-0188.html

and minimum firmware to support this setup is 3.0 and above.

cheers!
Aftab

[topokin]

The tape drive and hard drives are not connected to the same controller. The hard drives are connected to P410 while the tape is on P212.