How can I improve Smart Array 5i IO performance?

[Jack Fan]

How can I improve Smart Array 5i IO performance in RedHat 3 AS Linux box?
For example, change driver parameter or kernal parameter ...

[Jon Gomersall]

Check out whether or not you have got a BBWC
(Battery Backed Write Cache) installed on the raid card..

If it is not installed then you will have a performance issue to do with writing of data to the raid array...

With one installed HP recon on an a possible 75% performance increase on writes to the raid array....

[Mike Stroyan]

Other folks have noted that getting a controller card in a slower slot can also limit performance. That's not a factor for an integrated controller.

There is a discussion of how to check the status and configuration of a BBWC at http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1166697