no logical drives

[Mark r Rivet]

I just bought an HP Proliant dl360 server, and had to buy a hard drive for it. When the server boots up, it does not find any logical drives. Do I need to format this SCSI drive first? Its been awhile since I have played around with SCSI or a server for that matter.

[Lesley Persyn]

Use the smartstart cd to configure/install a OS.

Gr,
Lesley.

[Mark r Rivet]

Ok, I'll try that, but I don't have a cd; can I get it here on the HP site?

[Lesley Persyn]

go to www.hp.com/support
enter your server model, download, select OS, and search for smartstart cd.
Download iso and burn...

good luck.

[mstoumba1]

Should beable to do it from the F8 prompt at POST

[Mark r Rivet]

Ok, I am downloading a smartstart cd for the second time. The first time the data was corrupted and it would not unzip. Anyway I am downloading the smartstart for the RedHat linux ver 4, 64 bit server; but I plan on using Ubuntu server 64; hope thats ok, they did dont list Ubuntu linux on the site. Anyway I will keep you posted. I'm sure this is going to be interesting. The only other thing I'm wondering about is the harddrive. I bought a 146 gig Ultra 320 which I believe is correct. They did mention that it only supports particular drives.

[Mark r Rivet]

I have downloaded smartstart and still there are no drives found. I know I must be doing something wrong; but what? Normally when the bios doesn't see the drives the drive has not been formatted. I thought that is what the smartstart would do. This is a whole new arena (servers) for me.

[Lesley Persyn]

What are the light saying on you hdd's.
(info: For proper use, you should use minimal 2 hard drives)

[Mark r Rivet]

Yes, at first I get a green light on both drives, then they go to the other orange lights.

[Jimmy Vance]

You don't need Smart Start to configure the server. You say you just bought the server, it should have come with CD's unless you bought it used. Anyway, you don't need the CD's.

When the server is going through POST you should see an option when the Smart Array controller identifies to press F8.

Press F8 and create an array. With only two drive you options will be to create a RAID 0, or a RAID 0+1.

After you create the array boot your OS CD and do the install.

[Mark r Rivet]

Yes, that is correct; it's used. All I recieved was the server no drives. But I purchased two drives separately. Ok, I will try your suggestion tonight. My time zone is eastern standard time. Manchester NH, USA. But I will let you know what happens. I would really love to get this thing running. I'm going to use Ubuntu Linux if I get the chance. Oh, is there a log file created at boot time that I can look at? maybe that would also help you to help me.

[Mark r Rivet]

Ok, when the array controller comes up I hit the F8 key which brings me to a screen that will allow me create a logical drive. But when I try that it says there are no physical drives attached to the system. These are refurbished drives I have, do I need to format them with some other utility first?

[Jimmy Vance]

No you do not need to do anything to the drives before creating an array. The Smart Array controller should see the drives then allow you to create an array. Either the drives, the drive backplane, or the cabling from the backplane to the system board are bad.

[Mark r Rivet]

Darn, that's what I not hoping for. I guess I will have to dig into the server.

[Lesley Persyn]

remove and refit all cards/cables. Maybe a bad contact...

[gregersenj]

You don't tell wich generation it is.

But if any DL360 newer than G1, then check if the drive backplane is properly seated.

Simply:
remove power cord(s).
remove lit.
locate the drive backplane.
Push down on the backplane.
Re-power the server and check.

The G1 got a metal bracket, holding the HDD backplane in place.
The bracket has been removed on newer models. So backplane might move, during transport etc. caursing loss of connection to the drives.

/jag

[Mark r Rivet]

Oh, sorry its a prolian dl360 g4. But I will check the backplanes tonight. That sounds like a good possibility. After all they were shipped to me, and God knows how they were handled. I am so itching to get this sever running so I can play. Thanks everyone. I'll keep you all posted.

[Mark r Rivet]

Ok, it's like you said...bad connections. I opened up the server and reseated the connector that involves the hard drives and interface card and voila! I have harddrives. I was able to install Ubuntu server no problems. Now all I have to do is figure out what to do with my new server. I would like to provide some internet sevice of some kind just to get going; even if it's for free, to get going. Any Ideas? or should I now switch to some other forum for this kind of discussion?

[gregersenj]

Glad to help.

My knowledge is limited to the hardware.
I would suggest another forum/part of itrc for your other questions.

BR
/jag

[Mark r Rivet]

ok, thanks for your help.