How do I upgrade HotSwap disks on ML350 G3 please ?

[Alan Essex]

Server was supplied with 3 x 36.4gig HotSwap Ultra 320 SCSI drives. I need to increase storage space and so have bought 3 matching HP HotSwap drives but for 72.8gig capacity. What do I have to do to change them over please ?

The Array configuration utility is v7.0.1.0 showing a Smart Array 641 Controller. This shows Array A with Spare. Logical Drive 1 (34727mb RAID 1 + 0).
Thanks
Alan

[Igor Karasik · Accepted solution]

Alan,

First make sure you have last server firmware
http://tinyurl.com/f9gr3
http://tinyurl.com/9gvwp
I suggest to install last PSP as well
http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/23301.html

Regarding SCSI drives swap - generally speaking you have two options:
-backup(do GHOST)/replace drives/create Array with ACU from SmartStart CD/restore
-replace drives "one-by-one", i.e replace first 36 Gb drive with 72 Gb drive, wait till SmartArray will rebuild array, replace second drive-wait-replace third drive-wait.
After you replace all three drives and array rebuild completed you will need to extend array and use diskpart tool.
Note: you cannot expand system volume (drive C:\) with diskpart
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325590/en-us
(some 3-th party tools can do it, no freeware tools)

Personally I preffer first method (backup/restore), and I use second method only if we cannot downtime server for backup/restore.

[Alan Essex]

Thank you Igor for such a complete answer.

Please forgive my inexperience but if you have the time, can you explain the steps for using Ghost in this situation.

Thanks
Alan

[Igor Karasik]

Alan,

we use Symantec GHOST (of course you can use any similar program as well, Acronis True Image for example)
I have Symantec ghost multicast server installed on our notebook, and I just connect notebook to Proliant with network cable. Then we boot Proliant server from GHOST network diskette and GHOST server capture Proliant image.
Restore from GHOST is similar
You can read this symantec document as well:
"How to clone or save an image file over a TCP/IP peer to peer connection"
http://tinyurl.com/fegf8

If you don't have GHOST similar program (or you don't have enough disk space to capture image) you can use your backup software (or even ntbackup) and do backup to tape, replace drives, install windows and do restore from tape.

[Alan Essex]

Igor
Thank you for help. I'll be going on-site in a couple of days and you've enabled me to go with confidence.
Alan

[Shameer.V.A]

Hi Alan,

Please go through the following threads with similar concern.

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=997117

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=993564

Hope these informations will help you.

Regards,

Shameer