HP iSCSI only works with RAID 1 (and not RAID 5)?

[Andrea Benton]

We have been attempting to solve a series of problems with our new servers using HP's MSA1510i (iSCSI SAN), but haven't gotten anywhere for over 4 weeks now. We have two servers attached to the MSA 1510i, on its own gigabit network, yet the server with SQL server on it particularly keeps on running into iSCSIPRT errors, resulting in the server locking up. We are getting nowhere fast. I was wondering what other's experience with HP iSCSI has been like? Has anyone had success in a Windows 2003 R2 environment?

We've tried a variety of things, and now have been asked (by HP support) to change the disk striping size (from the default), change from RAID 5 to RAID 1 (because there are problems with RAID 5 on the MSA1501i) and there are problems with the Proliant network drivers in working with MSA1510i (but we haven't yet learnt what fixes are needed).

It would help to hear if any are having any success (or otherwise) with HP iSCSI.

Thanks!

[Peter Mattei]

No, no.
My colleague runs an MSA1510i in our LAB with RAID1 and RAID5.
There is absolutely no difference in connectivity behaviour between the RAID levels!!

This must be a different problem!

Have you checked the compatibility matrix on http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00724647/c00724647.pdf ?

Cheers
Peter

[Andrea Benton]

Well that's what HP support are telling me. They say they can't do anything more to help in attempting to resolve the crash issues until I convert the drives from RAID 5 to RAID 1, because they've seen the same errors as I do with RAID 5, but not RAID 1.

[Peter Mattei]

Well we have not stressed the arry to its limits, so I cannot really tell!
The good news is that you can convert RAID5 to RAID1 online if you have enough space.
It just takes quite some time!

Sorry and good luck
Peter

[Andrea Benton]

Thanks, Peter. All it takes is moving data from a 2GB database to another database for it to freeze up the server.

It's good to hear that someone is having success with something. That is what I was looking for - someone with a positive experience!

Andrea