ML 330 + Smartarray 641 Slow write

[Hein_5]

Hello,

We have just build up a SBS2k3 server with a SA 641 and 2 x 36 GB in a raid 1 configuration.

When writing a lot of data to the server it seems to lock up and data transfer is very poor. After stopping the data transfer the server recovers.

Does anyone have a suggestion?

Regards,

Hein.

[Akos Hegedus]

Hello,

check this two links, I think the first one may help you:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321543
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811392

regards,
Akos

[Micha_2]

Looks like the onboard smart array controllers like 641 and 5i are pretty slow at writing. Same problem here, now I know what the description "entry level raid controller" exactly means (read-cache only) =)

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=754217

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=464187

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=206252

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=650277

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=749799

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=797352

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=529012

http://groups.google.de/group/comp.hardware/msg/b876f9b35ce48132?hl=de

I think we will (must) upgrade to another raid controller with write cache...

[Terry Hutchings]

It's possible to add write cache to this controller. The following URL lists the part numbers for the 64 MB and 128 MB cache options:
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12069_na/12069_na.html

[Micha_2]

Yep, there is a option to upgrade the 641 64MB cache to 192MB. But I didnt read any post here who says "problem solved with the upgrade". Just this one:

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=650277

Can you confirm things get better with the cache upgrade ?