Smart Array Raid controller P400 512 MB Cache version

[RobertSabelis]

Hi there,

Can I operate the Raidcontroller P400 512MB Cache version without the BBU?

Greetings and thanks ina advance.

Robert

[Dennis Handly]

Typically without the battery, you won't have a write cache.

[RobertSabelis]

But doest that also  mean I have no benefit from the extra 256 MB or is it just when the system is powered down all the data in the controllercache is lost like in the standard 256 MB version?

[Dennis Handly]

>But doesn't that also mean I have no benefit from the extra 256 MB

You get a benefit for reading.

>when the system is powered down all the data in the controller cache is lost like in the standard 256 MB version?

Hmm.  I wouldn't expect a setting like that could sacrifice your data integrity.  Unless you had a UPS installed.

But the specs seem to imply without the BBWC, you won't get write-back:

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12400_div/12400_div.HTML

Write-back caching (with battery-backed write cache upgrade)

[RobertSabelis]

Okay I'm getting it.

It's a pity that the P400 reports at POST:

..lockup state due the hardware configuration.

The first two LED's on the PCB are burning amber meaning: "CR14: Controller Lockup LED & 

CR13: Drive Failure LED. A physical drive connected to the controller has failed.
Check the Fault LED on each drive to determine which drive has failed."

F8 is inaccesible now and I tried another slot with no success.

Have not the faintest idea what to do know...