Planning for a ML570 upgrade

[Burtin_1]

I am planning to upgrade a ML570 server and I want to know if it possible to upgrade disk array ?

My configuration is
PIII 700 biprocessor
Memory = 128*4 Mo
Disk
1 disque Ultra Wide SCSI controler
1 RAID Smart 5302/32 Mo Ultra 3 controler
1 RAID1 of 2 disk of 9Go
1 RAID 5 of 3 18,2 Go disks

upgrade (adding ? ) to add a new array :
1 RAID 5 of 5(6) 72 Go disks
1 Ultra Wide SCSI controler ??
1 new RAID controler Smart 5302/32 Mo Ultra 3
Is it possible and there is some other equipement that I can change to optimize the server performance.

ML570 will become Windows 2003 DC server and is a filer too.

Best regards
Pierre

[JohnWRuffo]

Pierre:

The configuration you listed is fine. There is ample room and the hardware you have will run this without any need for additional equiptment.

That said, if you want to "upgrade" the system for use as a Windows 2003 DC, you should add additonal RAM. If I were you, I would add at least another 512MB ( 512-MB PC100-MHz Registered ECC SDRAM Memory Option Kit 4 x 128MB: Option Part Number 189080-B21 )

Also, the cache on the 5302 could be upgraded to 128MB as well to give the additional Logical Volumes a bit more room to run in:
http://partsurfer.hp.com/cgi-bin/spi/showphoto?partnumber=171387-001

Here is the ML570 QuickSpec:
http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/10633_na/10633_na.html

Here is a nice read for installing Win 2003 on the ML570:
http://h200005.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00208463/c00208463.pdf

Be sure you have loaded the latest bios on the server to get Windows 2003 support:
http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/locate/69_1116.html

[Burtin_1]

Thank you very much for your quick answer.

You say that the 5302 must be upgrade to 128Mo in our case I must plan for 2 5302 128 or let the old 5302 32 and add 5302 128 for the new array ?
Or only one 5302 128 is needed ?

1 RAID 1 2*9
1 RAID 5 4*18
1 RAID 5 5*72

I am planning to add 2 'new' PIII 700 Mhz processor in order to use quadriprocessor, is there a real opportunity to do this ?

For RAM I am planning for a 2,5 Go configuration ( 4* 128 and 4*512Mo)

Best regards
Pierre

[JohnWRuffo]

No, the upgrade of the Array Controller in not a requirement. I only suggest it as an option. It can give you a fair amount of performance when you have multiple logical volumes to run. If you dNo, the upgrade of the Array Controller in not a requirement. I only suggest it as an option. It can give you a fair amount of performance when you have multiple logical volumes to run. If you do "want" to upgrade the controller, all you need is the cache module shown; not a new controller. Otherwise, the original controller will run the configuration without problems.

Yes, quad processor is a great improvement over dual! Hands down the addition of two more processors will improve the processing throughput of the system for services and applications that can use multiple processors.

If you can split the drives evenly between the drive cages, you can utilize both the SCSI channels thereby splitting the I/O over your logical volumes. This can give you an improvement in file services. This is called duplexing.

[JohnWRuffo]

grrr... mass typo in the above post... let me try again:

No, the upgrade of the Array Controller in not a requirement. I only suggest it as an option. It can give you a fair amount of performance when you have multiple logical volumes to run. If you do upgrade the controller, all you need is the cache module shown; not a new controller. Otherwise, the original controller will run the configuration without problems.

Yes, quad processor is a great improvement over dual! Hands down the addition of two more processors will improve the processing throughput of the system for services and applications that can use multiple processors.

If you can split the drives evenly between the drive cages, you can utilize both the SCSI channels thereby splitting the I/O over your logical volumes. This can give you an improvement in file services. This is called duplexing.

[Burtin_1]

Hello,
Thank you for your help. Then for me disk drive and memory are the key of a clean update.

I have thinking that I have to add new array controler because I am planning to have 3 RAID array. Obviously if I can use more than 2 RAID I can focus on :
Cache controller
Disks
Memory
Processor ( very expensive now )

About disk : I must plan for a U320 Smart Array Controller in order to use the capabilty of U32O. OK ?

Then with the new controler could I use disk like 286778-B22 ( 72,8Go U320 SCSI 15K )?

I don't see any precision about 100/1000 network card, could I use the same type of network card as for ML570 G2, for exemple ?

Best regards
Pierre