HPE DL380 Gen 9 add 2 additional Hard disks into an existing Array

[chrisbogy]

I have an HPE DL380 Gen9 server with a Smart Array P440ar controller running HPE custom image ESXi 7.o.  There are two array's, "Array A" and "Array B", each having 1 logical drive in RAID 5.  Array A is for the OS and Array B is the datastore for VM's.

I physically add the drives to the server and can see them under "Unassigned Drives", their locations are:

Internal Drive Cage at Port 1l : Box 3  - Bay 4

Internal Drive Cage at Port 2l : Box 3 - Bay 8

So, I would like to add additional space to Array B by adding the 2 additional hard drives.  (All drives are New out of the box and the same, HPE 1.2TB SAS 10K SFF SC DS HDD)  Currently, Array B has 1 logical Drive (Logical Drive 2) made up of 3, 1. 2TB SAS HDD's, total space of 1.2TiB.  I want to add 2 additional 1.2TB HDD's but in Smart Storage Administrator --> Actions --> Manage Data Drives, I only see the option "Move Drive(s) - Replace one or more drives in the array with drives of the same type."

Is it possible to add the drives to the existing Array without deleting it?  If so, how?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[feigenL]

Hello, please check this out:

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=sf000052332en_us&docLocale=en_US

That should do it.

Regards.

[chrisbogy]

@feigenL 

As I mentioned in my post, I only see the option "Move Drive(s) - Replace one or more drives in the array with drives of the same type."  I do NOT see the option to Add Drives. 

[TVVJ]

Hello,

You may download, install and attempt to expand an array using HPE Smart Storage Administrator (HPE SSA) CLI.

For steps to perform the activity in CLI, please refer to page 74, section "Expanding an array" in the HPE Smart Storage Administrator User Guide Moderator [above link is no longer valid, please visit https://support.hpe.com/connect/s/  to find the latest info ] for more information on steps to expand the array.

Regards,

[Tam92]

Hello,

Ideally the add option should be there if the drives are shown in the physical drives section.

 Make sure the firmware of the Storage controller is up to date.

Also you may try to flash intelligent provisioning to isolate any issues with the SSA utility.

https://support.hpe.com/connect/s/softwaredetails?language=en_US&softwareId=MTX_629955e1368a4082b14fcbc569&tab=revisionHistory

Thanks,

TAM

[chrisbogy]

I tried to flash with the latest version several times however, it keeps failing.  Downloaded the file several times as well still no go.

Current firmware on the server

This is what I see in Smart Storage Administrator

I wan't to add these two drives to Array B

When I click on Manage Data Drives I see this...

Array B details.  Threres 1TB of available space but I can't add that to Logical Drive 2 either.

Unfortunately, I'm CLI stupid and I'm afraid if I use the CLI I'll make a mistake and make things even worse.

[Moderator edit: Removed the confidential info. ]

[Tam92]

Hello,

To me, it looks like an issue with the Intelligent Provisioning as the flash is also not successful.

The only way to try to isolate is via CLI method or the online SSA (if Windows).

I guess, you might need to get the system board replaced, if the IP issues are not fixed as this seems to be an issue with NAND chip which is integrated on the system board.

I would request you to log a case with HPE support to further check on this and provide the recommendation accordingly.

Thanks,

TAM

[chrisbogy]

Where are you getting IP issues from?  I don't see any IP issues

[Tam92 · Accepted solution]

Hello,

I am referring to Intelligent Provisioning as the flash is failing.

Intelligent provisioning gets installed on a NAND chip integrated on the system board.

Intelligent provisioning contains the offline Smart storage administrator, which is not showing the add drives option.

Hope this is clear now ?

It is better to log a case with HPE support to further diagnose this from the hardware perspective.

Thanks,

TAM

[chrisbogy]

Ahhh "IP" as in Intelligent provisioning and not as in Internet Protocol.  lol. Sorry, I'm a network guy not a server guy.  I'll contact support.  Thank you for all your assistance!!!