Changing from RAID 5 to RAID 1+0

[zoec]

This is our first server with RAID system, so please bear with the questions I have below. We have a new ML350 G3 server with RAID 5 and Smart Array 641 installed. It runs on Windows 2003 Server (std). Due to software compatibility issue with a database that we will be running, we'll have to 'downgrade' the OS to Win2000 server. At the same time, we'll be changing the RAID 5 to RAID 1+0 for DB performance reason. There're six 36GB Untra 320 SCSI on the server and besides the OS, nothing else has been added to the server.
Questions:
1. Does the Smart Start CD allow OS 'downgrade'?
2. I assume that RAID will have be re-configured after the 'downgrade', if so, how to configure a RAID 10? With what program? RAID 5 was already pre-configured when I got the server, so we have minimum experience in setting up a RAID system.
3. in what order should the above be done? reinstall the OS first then configure RAID or the opposite?


Any input is greatly appreciated.

[Doug de Werd]

Assuming that there is no data, it's pretty easy. If you use SmartStart, there is an option in the Setup section to go into the "Array Configuratrion Utility" (ACU), might also be called ORCA... Just go into this utility and select all 6 drives to be in the array and select RAID 1+0. After the array is created you have to create "volumes" within the array. Even though these are on the same physical disk array, each volume is presented to Windows as a separate LUN. So you could create 2 volumes if you wanted, one for the OS and one for the data base. Once you configure the array and exit it, you just continue with the normal SmartStart process.

There is a ton of documentation for this lcoated here:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Resource.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=115&prodSeriesId=316537&prodTypeId=15351

You might look for installation and setup info first.

Here is a link with info on the ACU, and you can also download the ACU User Guide from here.

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/proliantstorage/software-management/acumatrix/advantage.html

Thanks,
Doug

[Vijay_44]

Since you have a G3 server, it likely that you have a 6.x or 7.x SmartStart CD. The Array Configuration utility is not part of the setup. When you boot off the SmartStart CD, you will find the Array Configuration Utility under the Maintenance tab. Once you finish configuring the array you can go to the setup tab to start the OS install process.