Can my server work without smart array controller

[maheshbsnl]

I have HP Proliant ML570 server with P400 smart array controller card. I suspect smart array controler is not working. Can I remove array controler card and continue to work without any raid config. Please suggest.

[Torsten.]

Your server will work, but without access to the disks.

[Vlad_T]

Hi maheshbsnl,

how have you determined the controller to be faulty? Since you're talking about p400 (a 3Gb SAS controlleR), I'm assuming you have a ML570 G4, is that correct?

And just to reconfirm - yes, the server would start without the smart array controller, but would seek other bootable devices in POST to boot from, since it won't be able to access its local hard drives.

Best regards,
Vlad

[Bjoern13]

Hello maheshbsnl,

what are the symptoms that you think the controller has failed? 

Is the controller still seen during POST?
Are the harddrives and logical volumes detected?

If the controller is not detected, do you have a cache installed?  

If so, you can try to start the server without the cache and see if the controller is detected then. This would mean that the cache is faulty. 

As already mentioned before, the server starts up without the controller but is looking for a bootvolume then.