adding disk to smart array 5i

[Javed Bux]

Hello, I have a Compaq ML370 G2 server running netware 6 sp5 server.

It has a Smart Array 5i controller with 4x18.2Gb disks and 1 spare.

All 4 disks are in one array and I wish to add an extra 18.2gb disk to increase disk space.

Does anyone have any hints/tips guidance on how best to expand the array so i can increase the netware volume size?

When cpqonlin is run it is version 2.74
I cannot give any other info I don't think as the server is in use during the day.

All help appreciated!

[Greg Carlson]

What version of NetWare are you running?

[Javed Bux]

Novell NetWare 6 with SP5

[Javed Bux]

All a bit quiet...

Has no one done this with Novell then ?

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi,

I have no experience with NetWare and this Raid controller but, adding diaks to an existing Raid set on a 5i controller an be very time consuming. We added a 72GB disk and the process has not completed after more then 12h.

[Nigel Adams_1]

For what it's worth, I've got a Compaq DL380 G3 with a 5i controller running NW 6 SP4 (v2.70 of cpqonlin). It had 3 x 72.8Gb disks and I've added 1 more and expanded the array. 20 hours later and it's still going...

Did you get any further with yours?

[Leslie Martin · Accepted solution]

Javed
Install the additional disk and then load cpqonlin. This is a graphical interface. Add the disk to the array using the expand the array option. When this has completed - allow approx 10 minutes per GB ! - use either NSSMU or Console1 to create a partition. If you are using NSS Volumes you can then assign the new partition to a pool of your choice and any volumes using that pool will then be able to acquire the additional space. If you are using traditional volumes then simply create volume segment(s) on the new partition for the volumes you wish to expand.

[Javed Bux]

I can't remember what I did but if I tell you what cpqonlin is showing me it might help

smart array 5i Controller -- Slot 0
|_ Array A with Spare
| _ 52079 MB, RAID 5 -- Log Drive 1
| _ 21706 MB, Unused

When i select the unused space the only option I have is to create a logical drive of 17 mb. There is no option to delete and start again or add this space to the array.
any thoughts

[Leslie Martin]

Javed,
Sorry about the delay, I've been away. Start cpqonlin and highlight the Array. Another menu will appear with options. Press 'Enter' key and then choose 'Expand the Array'. This will then list and highlight your unassigned drive. Press 'Enter' again and you will be given a choice of which array you wish to expand. Choose the array you wish to expand and the controller will start the expansion process. Be aware that this process can take some time ( approx 10 minutes per GB!) so do not panic if it does not finish for some time.

[Javed Bux]

Hi,

I have done this and now I've ended up with the new disk added as in previous post under array a with the only option being create logical drive !

I'm thinking I may have to reboot the server and use a smart start cd to sort this out...

[Leslie Martin]

Yes, it will add another logical drive but it should still be part of your original array. What you should end up with is 1 Array divided into 2 logical drives. netware will see the additional logical drive as free space. It's then just a matter of partitioning it under Netware and assigning the new space to your volume(s)

[Matt Burgess]

cpqonlin supports expansion (adding space) but not extension (logical drives) or migration (changing RAID levels). You will need to boot from SmartStart to do this.

For the guys will DL380s, the reason it takes so long is that you don't have a write cache on the controller. It is much quciker with a write cache.

If possible.

1. Shut down
2. Install a slotted array controller with write cache and connect it to the disks. The config is stored on the disks, not the controller, so this is fully supported.
3. boot to SmartStart and run your expansion/migration/extension process.
4. shutdown and restore the original cabling config.

[TerenceB]

Hi,
I think 10 minutes per GB mentioned above is a rather optimistic estimation. It took 35 hours to add an 18.2gb disk on one of our Compaq ML370 servers. So that's like about 500 Mb per hour. But everything went fine and the server was in use ok during the array expansion. Novell Netware 6.5 with SP6.