what version of REDHAT I'm running?

[Hanry Zhou]

uname -a only tells me the version of linux kernel, not of redhat.

2nd, the drive type I have is /dev/cciss, what is that? I know IDE is /dev/hda. If I do fdisk /dev/cciss, it won't work?

Thanks,

[Stuart Browne · Accepted solution]

To tell what release of RedHat you are running, view the file '/etc/redhat-release'.

The device names of 'cciss' mean you're using a SCSI RAID array based on the Compaq/HP SmartArray series 5 or 6.

The devices are actually /dev/cciss/c0d0, with partitions /dev/cciss/cXdYpZ, where 'Z' is the controller number (0), Y is the logical drive number (0) and Z is the partition number (1).

This is documented in the kernel-source, in the file 'cciss.txt'.

[Martin P.J. Zinser]

* Compaq SA53xx Controllers (cciss driver)

This is a disk array.

[Hanry Zhou]

more /etc/redhat-release
Red Hat Linux Advanced Server release 2.1AS (Pensacola)

What release of linux is that? Can you interperet the meaning of the outpu? It should be redhat 7.2.

How I can check the configuration of Compaq SmartArray 5/6? Is there any tools/commands I can use to check out the detail of the array configuration, as for what level, how many drives, and so forth.

Thanks,

[Stuart Browne]

That would say that it's running "Red Had Advanced Server v2.1". The big-boy, not the pissy-little RH7.2. The kernel revision will tell you if this is correct (it would be an -e26 or -e27 or some such).

There are no CLI tools to check the array status that I'm aware of. However, if you've instaleld the "hpacuxe" package (6.40 is the current release), you can use a web brower pointed to the IP of the machine, port 2301 to manage it.

[Hanry Zhou]

Thanks for the response.


1. I got e.27. However, what is the different between redhat 7.2 and advanced server 2.1?

2. As I undrestand, if it is array. the file /proc/mdstat will tell me the raid level, but in the system, if I do more /proc/mdstat, got following:
# more /proc/mdstat
Personalities :
read_ahead not set
unused devices:

3. http://ipaddress:2301 doesn't work?

Thanks,

[Stuart Browne]

1) RH7.2 is the personal edition, which means it's componants are newer, however less stable, and not guaranteed for Enterprise situations. RHAS (which is what you are running) is much more stable, and on a slower release schedule. If you are running your business off it, stick with it. Is good.

2) It's a physical array, not a software array. '/proc/mdstat' is for the Software RAID of which Linux can utilise. The SmartArray controllers are Hardware RAID (i.e. don't rely upon the operating system, thus more reliable, and much faster).

3) Then it would appear as if you do not have the 'hpacuxe' package installed (use 'rpm -qa | grep acuxe' to confirm this). Install it. It can be gotten from the software/drivers section of HP's website.

note: don't forget points assignment.

[Steven E. Protter]

Another important didfference between Red Hat 7.x and Advanced server is the support life cycle.

The support live cycle on individual free versions of Linux is 6 months. Red hat gaurantees bug fixes and support on an 18 month cycle for Advanced Server.

SEP

[Hanry Zhou]

Stuart, and any others,

1) I've verifyed that I don't have acuxe installed. There got be a tool/command I can use to check out the configuration of the array, even it is hardware array. Am I right? if yes, what is it?

2) Advanced server version is the one needs to purchase, and not free. Right?

Note: I will assign points very soon. If I do that early, then nobody will open the thread.

Thanks,

[Hanry Zhou]

I've verifyed that I don't have acuxe installed. There got be a tool/command I can use to check out the configuration of the Smartarray, even though it is hardware array. Am I right? if yes, what is it?

[Stuart Browne]

Yes, you have to pay for AS2.1.

As for administration tools for the array, no. That is what 'acuxe' is. The configuration tools.

About the only stats you'll get without extra software packages installed is the minimal details listed in '/proc/drivers/cciss/ccissX' (where X is the controller number, 0 for single controller machines).

[Hanry Zhou]

Stuart,

YOu are the best, and this will be my final questions for this thread:

1) where I can find the information(hardware config., architecture etc) about the Smart Array itself.


2) I could not find the software 'acuxe' from hp.com, can you please forward the URL for me.

Thanks, and you will get BIG points soon.


2)

[Stuart Browne]

The details (limited as they are) are in '/proc/drivers/cciss/cciss0'. Without the software, you won't get more than that (as far as I'm aware).

As for where the software is, well... It doesn't seem to be assoiated with the controller.. odd.. Going thorugh machine though, here's a link:

http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/18100.html

This is the current HPACUXE package for RedHat Linux distributions (including RHAS2.1).

Hope this helps.