FBWC/BBWC for a ML350 G6 (p410i) (Pros/Cons/Suggestions/Questions)

[rcmcdonald]

I'm working on added expanding an existing RAID 5 array. I'm stil somewhat of a "novice" when it comes to enterprise grade equipment. Anyways, I'm now maintaining an ML350 G6 running ESXi. I want to expand the array by adding a hot spare to the 6th bay (which was shipped with a blank). What are the major differences between an FBWC and a BBWC (besides one using a battery) and what would be the most cost effective? 

[PGTRI]

hi,

You can find a lot of posts about this topic in the forum.

http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/HP-BladeSystem-Server-Blades/Flash-Based-Write-Cache-FBWC-amp-Battery-Backed-Write-Cache-BBWC/td-p/1517

http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/ProLiant-Servers-ML-DL-SL/Difference-between-BBWC-and-FBWC/td-p/4667799

Thanks

regards,

[rcmcdonald]

Great! Also, from what I've read, FBWCs are the "newer technology". If I were to purcahse a 1GB FBWC for a SA P410i, would this allow me to perform online array expansion/extension through ACU (which I currently don't have that capability, due to the lack of an appropriate FBWC or BBWC)

[PGTRI]

hi,

Yes, you will be able to perform online array expansion/extension through ACU.

regards,

[rcmcdonald]

My ML350 G6 (with SA P410i) has a 256MB BBWC module(without battery). I just opened the case and looked near the lower right corner of the motherboard. Anyways, would upgrading to a 1GB FBWC module also increase disk I/O performance for VMware ESXi? I've read on the VMware communities that an upgraded WC is a MUST for decent disk I/O.