Cannot access Smart Array Controller during boot-up

[cantual]

Server: Proliant ML310e Gen8. 

Smart Array Contoller (B120i) is set to be used in boot options.  When i choose F5 during boot-up, the screen states "F5 has been selected..." and "...system will boot into Smart Array Contoller" but never does.  It continues to boot host OS.  Note: When I tap F5 when prompted, the screen flashes and the entire screen's resolution changes (lower-rez) but displays almost the same info.  The difference is it displays HP ACHI SATA Controller.  I'm certain the Smart Array has been selected. 

Anyone have any idea what/why this issue is happening?

Thx

[DANDKS]

Greetings.

Please note: B120i is not a Smart Array Controller.

If the Drives are connected & configured to B120i, then the server is booting to the correct controller. If there are any additional Controllers installed & configured with the HDD's, then the boot options needs to be changed.

Please provide more information about the server configuration & devices installed

Thank you

[Jimmy Vance]

---

@DANDKS wrote:

Greetings.

Please note: B120i is not a Smart Array Controller.

If the Drives are connected & configured to B120i, then the server is booting to the correct controller. If there are any additional Controllers installed & configured with the HDD's, then the boot options needs to be changed.

Please provide more information about the server configuration & devices installed

Thank you

---

Please don't confuse users, the Gen8 B120i / B320i are embedded SATA controllers that are also called 'Dynamic Smart Array Controller' when set to that mode in RBSU.  The RAID functionality requires a proprietary driver that contains the RAID technology

[Jimmy Vance]

---

@cantual wrote:

Server: Proliant ML310e Gen8. 

Smart Array Contoller (B120i) is set to be used in boot options.  When i choose F5 during boot-up, the screen states "F5 has been selected..." and "...system will boot into Smart Array Contoller" but never does.  It continues to boot host OS.  Note: When I tap F5 when prompted, the screen flashes and the entire screen's resolution changes (lower-rez) but displays almost the same info.  The difference is it displays HP ACHI SATA Controller.  I'm certain the Smart Array has been selected. 

Anyone have any idea what/why this issue is happening?

Thx

---

From within RBSU you need to change the SATA controller options and switch the controller mode from SATA AHCI to B120i Dynamic Smart Array Controller.   You will need to download the driver for your OS (OS support is limited to Windows, VMware, Red Hat and SUSE)  Many call this 'fake raid' as it is software RAID since the RAID function is controlled by the driver.  Many prefer to use the software RAID functions built into the OS as the driver is kernel specific and requires a new driver for any kernel update.  

[DANDKS]

Greetings,

B120i is a Dynamic Smart Array controller & not a traditional Smart Array controller. B120i works based on additional drivers & software RAID can be created on the connected drives. B120i is not an Intelligent hardware as compared to a traditional Smart Array Controllers.

F5 option is given only for traditional Smart Array Controller & will not work for B120i - Dynamic Smart Array controller.

Refer to ML310e Gen8 server user guide on the following link - https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=c03493084

Page 75

ACU is now available as an embedded utility, starting with HP ProLiant Gen8 servers. To access ACU, use
one of the following methods:
• If an optional controller is not installed, press F10 during boot.
• If an optional controller is installed, when the system recognizes the controller during POST, press F5

We would also recommend to review the B120i (Dynamic Smart Array Controller) user guide for more information.

https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=c03326739

Please let us know about what you are trying to perform

Thank you

[IT Global Service]

I need to reconfigure a server, starting from zero, and I had replaced the previous disks with two new SSD.

I want to configure a Raid1 array but there is no way to enter in configuration mode.

Pressing F10 , during startup, nothing happen.

Server continue to ask for system boot and restart in an infinite loop.

Where am I doing wrong ?

I'm very confused

Thank you for support

[Torsten.]

You may consider to upgrade/repair Intelligent Provisioning by booting this ISO:

https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/swd/public/detail?swItemId=MTX_a2b2caf8066e4a8b82a966d628

[IT Global Service]

Thank you for support.

But now I'm not able to burn the iso image because the HPE USB Key Utility for Windows don't work !

No usb key was detected (I tried different usb key) (see image)

I'm runnning the utility on a Windows 10 Pro 64bit Client

Is there something running on HP ?!?!?

[Torsten.]

It always worked for me. Can you access your USB drive from explorer?

However, try to "Run As Administrator ...".

Remember, the tools supports sticks up to 32GB.

[IT Global Service]

I create the usb key installing on another client (Win7) and it worked.

I boot server from usb and executed the recovery media for Intelligent Provisioning.

Recovery process di not started : "Error flashing NVRAM please try again"

I already updated server bios and ilo firmware.

I'm starting to be a little bit frustrated.....

Is two days that I'm trying to configure a simple RAID1 Array to reconfigure a server....

[DANDKS]

Dear User,

Greetings.

If the server is in a Reboot loop & if you see the following "Error flashing NVRAM please try again", this could be a hardware issue & may require to validate the hardware devices in the Server.

We recommend to contact HPE Technical Support to log a support ticket for further assistance.

Thank you

[Torsten.]

What ILO version you are running?

Please check the ILO diagnostics page if everything is green.

[IT Global Service]

I found this post that is exactly like my issue:

https://community.hpe.com/t5/ProLiant-Servers-ML-DL-SL/Unable-to-boot-into-Intelligent-Provisioning/td-p/6999252#.XfiWpfzSLgh

I update BIOS to P78 and ILO4 Driver to V2.7.0

https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/swd/public/detail?swItemId=MTX_82a517a4954d4d4aaee26ceac2

https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/swd/public/detail?swItemId=MTX_f13420b102cb4101ab1befc470

Restarting the server, issue was still present and I noticed that an ILO related error appear (see image attached)

So I follow instructions in this document:

https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c04996097

I noticed that is suggested to perform a NAND format (step 2)

I tried to use method #3 of this document:

https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-a00048622en_us

But I receive the following error from HPQLOCFG : "ILO2 is not supported"....

I don't know what to do.....

[Torsten.]

By the way, the BIOS version is 2019.04.04. P78 is the BIOS type only.

However, can you access ILO webpage? Can you logon?

Did you try to pull the power plugs first in order to cold boot ILO?

Then follow "Steps to perform a NAND format via the iLO GUI" in the document.

[IT Global Service]

I don't understand how can connect to ILO web page administration.

How you can see in image, ILO address was an IPV6 and i don't understand the reason because the dhcp server release only IPV4 address.

Yes, i pull power cord prior rebooting server

[Torsten.]

Does "press F8" work for you?
You could give a fixed IP there.

[IT Global Service]

Ok, I've got it !

Now I'm able to connect to ILO's web interface.

I formatted the NAND, restarted the server and tried to access to Intelligent Provisioning.

It started but crashed after few seconds.

So I recover Intelligent Provisioning with recovery media :

https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/swd/public/detail?swItemId=MTX_a2b2caf8066e4a8b82a966d628#tab3

Finally, after ONLY two days, I can reconfigure server..... (no comment!).

Thank you to everyone for support, I hope my experience could be useful to other people.

Have a nice day and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

[Torsten.]

Well, after formatting the NAND Intelligent Provisioning is deleted, so you NEED to re-install it.

Glad to hear it is working now.

The NAND issue is an evil thing ...

[Clinica_Mega8]

Hi I have exactly the same Issue as this posts original message.

From my understanding I have to Format the NAND.

I'm unable to access the ILO Web interface, I get an ip adress in POST and I can access the F8 Key.

Any help?

[IT Global Service]

You need to configure the ip address of the ILO and ensure to connect the ILO interface to switch

Then open a browser and connect to ip address you assigned to ILO

You should be able to access to web interface