SATA Smart Array?

[Fussel]

Hi,

I have a ML370G1/2x1000/3GB running NetWare 5.1 and 34 disks (6x36, 2x14x72) on a SA5304 using way too much power and producing way too much heat. So I'm thinking about a change there.

My idea is to change to a ML370 G2, 3,or 4 and using 6 146 GB disks for the internal array on a SA6402 for the really crucial data. Everything mentioned is sitting on my bench right now gathering dust.

For the rest of the data which isn't just as crucial I'm thinking about using a cheap 3 disk SATA II enclosure which fits into the two spaces below the DVD drive, using 3 750 GB disks in a RAID 5 configuration without a hot spare, since everything is backed up to tape in a MSL5026S2.

But which controller to use???

It should support RAID 5 (hot plug capability is not really neccessary but would be nice).

It *must* provide a NetWare driver.

It should fit into either a PCI-X or (if I'm using the G4 server which would be overkill) PCI-E 4 lane slot.

I read about the P400 and P800 but although they mention SATA drives, there seem to be only SAS connections on them.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance
Fussel

[Fussel]

Push, push ...

Still no ideas?

[juan quesada]

well, the ml370 g4 can use a p600 controller, this one is supported, the p400 and p800 are not
http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12029_div/12029_div.html

the p600 works fine with both, SAS and SATA hdds and they use the same connector
http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12247_div/12247_div.html

and the p600 has drivers for Novell
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=466291&taskId=135&prodTypeId=329290&prodSeriesId=466290〈=en&cc=us&submit=Go%20%C2%BB

so, having this compatibility matched, you can try to see if it works.

Regards,

[Fussel]

Juan,
thanks for your answer.

The P600 seems to have a proprietary connector. So which kind of cables do you use for SATA disks? And do you need a HP backplane for it or can you use cheap single SATA drives (I don't need hot plug for this array, and I won't use HP disks for it).

regards
Fussel

[juan quesada]

a 4 to 1 SAS cable will work, please keep in mind that this cable is for data transfer only, each HDD will require a power cable that goes either from the system board or external power to the HDD

[Fussel]

After some hiccup with a defective controller, I finally got it to work with a P600 in the ML370G4.

Thanks for your help!