Microserver Gen8, B120i cache, BBU and ld extend

[Дмитрий Бессонов]

Hello.

I have MicroServer G8(712318-421), RAID B120i. And I have 2 question about it.

Now I use Hyper-V Server 2012 R2.

1. I changed the HDD to a larger. Now I want to change logical drive size. In SSA this functional not exists. In CLI (ctrl slot=0 ld 1 modify size=max) I get error:

Error: This operation is not supported with the current configuration. Use the
"show" command on devices to show additional details about the
configuration.
Reason: Transformation size zero. This may indicate that
there is no battery or a failed battery on the controller.

My controller configuration info:

Dynamic Smart Array B120i RAID in Slot 0 (Embedded)
Bus Interface: PCI
Slot: 0
RAID 6 (ADG) Status: Disabled
Controller Status: OK
Hardware Revision: C
RAID Stack Version: 4.50
HBA Firmware Version:
HBA Mode Option ROM Version:
Option ROM Version:3.54-0
Rebuild Priority: Medium
Surface Scan Delay: 0 secs
Surface Scan Mode: Disabled
Parallel Surface Scan Supported: No
Wait for Cache Room: Disabled
Surface Analysis Inconsistency Notification: Disabled
Post Prompt Timeout: 15 secs
Cache Board Present: False
Read Cache Size: 0 MB
Write Cache Size: 0 MB
Drive Write Cache: Enabled
Total Cache Size: 0 MB
SATA NCQ Supported: True
Spare Activation Mode: Activate on physical drive failure (default)
Number of Ports: 6 Internal only
Driver Name: HpSA2.sys
Driver Version: 62.10.0.64
Driver Supports HP SSD Smart Path: False
PCI Address (Domain:Bus:Device.Function): 0000:00:1F.2
Host Serial Number: **Confidential info erased**

As I understand, MicroServer has not BBU. Also it has not write cache memory(maybe I mistaken?).

In HP Dynamic Smart Array RAID Controller User Guide I see that B120i support optional 512 MB
FBWC module. But I don't see connector slot on Microserver motherboard.

In HP Microserver Gen8 QuickSpecs I see that "No FBWC support. For FBWC, a standup Smart Array Controller card
must be configured.". I don't understant - I need buy external RAID controller to have write cache?

Question #1: Is there any possibility to extend logical drive in my MicroServer G8, or I must only delete old logical drive and create new logical drive?

Question #2: In my configuration is absent optical drive, I think about installing SSD on this place. Is there any possibility to use this SSD as cache for B120i(on controller level)? May be I need to purchase some License for it?

P.S. This thread has been moved from General to ProLiant Servers - Netservers. - Hp Forum moderator

[Jimmy Vance]

The B120i does have the capability to support a cache module, unfortunately the MicroServer is not one of the systems that support the cache module as an option.

[Дмитрий Бессонов]

Thank you for your response. Yes, I thought so read the specification to the controller and MicrosServer. 

However, questions have been a little not about it - can I extend the logical drive(change size without delete old logical drive) using hp ssa[cli], and does I can configure controller to use SSD as a cache for the array (at least for read operations)?

[Jimmy Vance]

no, the Smart Array cache module is part of the controller, no way to specify an external cache

[Jimmy Vance]

You could move the drives over to the optional P222 controller

HP Smart Array P222/512 FBWC 6Gb 1-port Int/1-port Ext SAS Controller 631667-B21

[Дмитрий Бессонов]

This I already understand.

I lot of googling now and found this article: https://www.hpe.com/psnow/doc/c04123148.pdf?jumpid=in_pdp-psnow-qs

HP SmartCache is supported on HP ProLiantGen8 servers with one of the following controllers: P420i, P420, P421, P822 and P721m. HP SmartCache is an included feature on the P822 and P721m/2G FBWC.

So answer on my Q2 - NO. And this can not but cause grief

How about Q1? Is it possible to extend logical drive without presence cache and BBU/FBWC? Even Synology DS411 can do this

[Moderator edit: Updated the broken link. You may also refer to support.hpe.com]

[Дмитрий Бессонов]

HP Smart Array P222/512 FBWC 6Gb 1-port Int/1-port Ext SAS Controller 631667-B21

Enough is not budgetary - half the cost of "chassis" even if buy controller on amazon.com, 500+ USD in RF :(
Plus, it takes a single expansion slot.

Probably have to transfer data to the new drives manually. Trifle, but not nice.

Thanks for your responses.

[Jimmy Vance · Accepted solution]

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Дмитрий Бессонов wrote:

How about Q1? Is it possible to extend logical drive without presence cache and BBU/FBWC? Even Synology DS411 can do this :(

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No, to do any expansion or migration a cache module is required.