9GB LP in HASS - Bootable?

[Alan Walters]

Hi,
I've spent several days searching the Docs, Manuals, and Knowledge Trees, but can't find the exact info I'm looking for. I'm hoping for some advice (or directions to a URL) on whether I can replace the current 4.3GB internal Boot with a 9GB Low Profile mounted in a HASS.

The current configuration is a K360 with 2 HASS units being fed by 2 28696A (HP-PB? F/W?) Controllers. The above-mentioned 4.3GB internal Boot is Mirrored to a 4.3GB DF Low Profile in one of the HASS. Since I'm running out of space on the Boot and have some empty slots in the HASS, I'd like to get 2 9GB LP and put one in each HASS as Mirrored Boots.

Of the 3 models of 9GB DF LP I've found (A3629A, A5238A, and A5285A), one of them specifically states it's not supported as Boot. Can anybody verify that they're using a 9GB DF LP Module in a HASS as Boot? And if so, which Model?

In addition I'd like to add 2 more Controllers before filling both HASS with 3 more Modules each. My desire would be to replace the HP-PB with GSC Controllers but I think the K360 can only handle 3 GSC total. I'm not sure of the practicality of mixing HP-PB and GSC in the same HASS? Would it be better to use 2 GSC across 16 Drives or settle for 4 HP-PB?

If I discontinue using the internal Boot I'll be throwing away the internal GSC, but I can't see a way to use it for the HASS?

TIA

[paul courry]

Uh, could you tell us what operating system and version you are using? Also, what make and model of HASS?
Sorry, but the more info the better.

[Alan Walters]

Sorry, I knew I forgot something...
The HASS are both Models A3312AZ (Factory Racked Jamaica?). They are currently half filled with Model A3647A (4.3GB Differential Low Profile).
The OS is HP-UX 10.20.

[Curt Thompson · Accepted solution]

Hello Alan,

Yes, you can boot from a 9GB drive in a HASS.
However, you may want to consider using the GSC/HSC SCSI cards instead. They have a higher sustained throughput (12-15MB/s) than the HP-PB cards (only 7-10MB/s), and support more boot options now and in the future, unlike the 28696A (like booting from DLT). So, you may have more HP-PB cards at your disposal, but fewer of the higher bandwidth GSC/HSC cards may be better. And yes, the K360 can be configured for 3 GSC/HSC cards max.

As far as the 9GB disks go, I don't think you can get the A3629A disks anymore (the 'not supported for boot' disk). The only ones I believe are available are the A5238A and A5285A, which are supported for boot.

If you are still not convinced, go ahead and install the disks into the HASS and load HP-UX on them and test your boot strategy. During the installation phase, carefully select only the new disks and avoid using your existing disks. Better yet, slide your production disks
out of the HASS slightly to be sure they are not seen during the HPUX installation to the new disks. If anything goes wrong or you run out of time, you can reinsert the disks and bootup your old configuration.

Good Luck,
Curt