Installing HP Proliant ML370 G3 with smart array controller 532

[Khong]

Hello,

I have just purchased a Proliant ML370 G3 with
Smart Array Controller 532 and Windows 2000
Server plus 3 units 36GB SCSI Hot pluggable
drives.

My question: How should I start the installation??

Should I install the Windows 2000 Server OS
first with just 1 hard disk installed,then
install the Smart Array controller with the
other 2 HD and set to Raid 5

OR

Should I install the SAC 532 and all 3 HD
then install the Win 2000 server??

Your suggestions are very much appreciated.

[Patrick Rouse]

What you described will NOT work. With hardware RAID you need to create the array before putting any data on it. If you plan on making a 72GB RAID5 Array from your 3x36GB Drives, do this first. Insert all three drives, turn on the machine, run the array configuration utility from the SMART Start CD, configure the 3 drives as a RAID5 Array, reboot & install the OS. When installing the OS, you should probably create an 8GB or so Partition/Volume to put the OS on (this way you can use quota's on the data volume & users data won't affect your system partition), then use the rest of the RAID5 Logical Disk for Data.

I usually use 2 hot-plug drives in a RAID1 Array for the OS then use a separate RAID5 Array for data. The disks for the OS can be as small as 9GB, however systems don't ship with these anymore.

[Vicente Sanchez_3]

Hello,

You have to create first the Raid 5 with the 3 disks and then install software.

HTH,Vicente.

[Pat_63]

Do you need to install the disk directly to the controller using external cables. I am new to this and need to install similar setup on my ML530 G2.

Does the controller in PCI slot1 manage the dual channel on-board SCSi controller or do I need to remove the cables from on board and plug it into SA 532?