Max hard drive sizes for ML350 G3 server with Smart Array 641 controller?

[Pangolin]

Hello,

I have inherited a spare ML350 G3 server which seems to be about 10 years old. It is a tower case with 6 hot-swap bays and the Smart Array 641 controller.

I am interested in possibly using this server for some test set-ups. It currently has some 36.4 GB Ultra320 SCSI hard drives installed. What are the largest capacity hard drives and RPM speeds I could put in as hot-swap drives to this machine? Some references I located say the 641 controller can handle drives up to 300 GB (either 10L or 15K RPM), but others say 146 GB drives are the max that can be handled. I would appreciate any clarification on that.

Also, in my search I didn't see Windows Server 2012 drivers for the Smart Array 641 controller. Can that OS be installed on this server using the array controller (again, not for actual production use)?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Murali_V]

Hi,

Yes, you can install 300GB Hard drives in this server.
Internal storage capacity of up to 1.80 TB (6 x 300 GB 1"), 2.40 TB (2 x 300 GB 1" + 6 x 300 GB 1") with optional 2-bay hot plug drive cage option... 300-GB 10,000 rpm U320 Universal Hard Drive (1") option part number is "350964-B22".

Refer the following server quickspec document for more information (Options and Storage tabs): 

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/productbulletin.html#spectype=worldwide&type=html&docid=11430

Windows 2012 is not tested with Smart Array 641 Controller. 

However, you may try installing the OS choosing Windows 2003 during Smart assisted installation. 

Regards, 

Murali VM

[Pangolin]

Thanks for the info. I ordered the needed parts, so we'll see how things turn out.