DL380 G4 and MSL2024

[davehartburn]

Hi,

I have seen a few posts on here suggesting there are compatability problems between certain servers and autoloaders.

Does anyone know if the DL380 G4 (PID 311144-421) works with the MSL2024 (listed as MSL G3 Series, Firmware 3.00 / 1.70e, on web interface)?

I currently have it connected to the onboard SCSI port, where I can see the two tape drives but not the medium changer.

If I need another SCSI HBA, can you recomend what HP model number will be best?

Cheers

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi,

Its normally recommended to hook a library up to another SCSI card, rather than the onboard RAID controller. You'll get better performance.

The HP Part number you'd need is 268351-B21.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11555_div/11555_div.HTML

That said the fact that you can see the drives but not the changer suggests maybe another problem... What OS are you running ?

Cheers,

Rob

[davehartburn]

Sorry forgot that vital bit of information, it is Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition.

The curious thing is there is an older 1/8 autoloader on the same SCSI chain and it detects the medium changer fine on that one.

Doing a web search, some pages suggest you need LUN scanning enabled for medium changer detection. I'm not sure if the on board SCSI supports that.

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hmm... Are you sure there's no SCSI ID conflicts anywhere ...?

Cheers,

Rob

[davehartburn]

Pretty sure. In tests where I removed the older tape drive from the system, I got the same problem. With no other devices on the bus there should not be anything to conflict with.

[Rob Leadbeater · Accepted solution]

Hi,

It looks like it isn't compatible...

Check out the compatibility matrix here:

ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/products/storageworks/techdoc/ebs/EBSMatrix-1206.pdf

At the bottom of page 5, note 10 says:

"10) Autoloaders, MSL 2024, and MSL 4048 are not supported with SMART Array Controllers."

The onboard SCSI port on a DL380 G4 is part of the 6i Array Controller, so it doesn't look as though it will work.

Cheers,

Rob

[davehartburn]

Thanks. I looked at that document, but did not notice the small print at the bottom.

Can anyone advise the best HP SCSI card to get for combining the G4 and the MSL 2024?

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi Dave,

I'd go with the one mentioned in my earlier reply...

Cheers,

Rob

[davehartburn]

Sorry, Monday morning and my brain is not working!

Thanks very much for you help.

Dave