Proliant RAID Controller

[Mike_321]

Hi

I'm shortly going to be rebuilding a Compaq Proliant 1600 server. The aim is to increase the size of the disk volume.

However, I'm told that the RAID adapter is a Compaq 322 Raid controller.

I need to find out more information about this device, ie how many RAID arrays will it support?

If only one array supported, then what is the cheapest/best alternative to provide me with two arrays, i.e. Array1= 2 x 9Gb drives and Array2= 3 x 18Gb drives.

Can the proliant (tower) take a ,ax of 5 drives. What are the max size of drives available? 36Gb or 72Gb.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[Mark Cloutier]

Hi Mike,
On this Array controller there should be a spare part number. If you can supply me this number I can get all the info you require.
Depending on the type of drive cage. Wide Ultra SCSI 3 or a Ultra 2/3 cage. Will determine what type of hard drives the 1600 can handle.

Mark

[e4services]

The only document available for this unit is the follow guide for RAID:
http://wwss1pro.compaq.com/support/reference_library/viewdocument.asp?countrycode=1000&prodid=50&source=295469-002.xml&dt=264&docid=5929

www.e4services.com

[Mike_321]

Hi,

I found out this morning that the RAID controller is actually a Smart Array 221 card. This obviously is a single channel controller. I would like to upgrade to at least a dual channel card so that I can create one array of 2 x 9.1Gb drives and another of 3 x 36Gb drives.

Which RAID controller will give me this level of capability?

Thanks

Mike

[Janine Bertolo · Accepted solution]

Hi Mike;

There are several dual-channel controllers available for purchase.

However, the drive cage on the PL1600 is mosty likely only single channel.

You can use the existing 221 controller to create a second array (B) in RAID5 off the same channel as your existing drives using the Array Configuration Utility from SmartStart or in the operating system.

Sincerely,

Janine Bertolo

[e4services]

Yes, this is true. You do not need a dual channel controller for your application. You can support both arrays off the single channel you have.

[Mike_321]

Excellent!

So presumably then if I create the two arrays (A) and (B) where A = OS and Apps and B = just the data:

If I then need to increase the size of the data array I simply :-
- backup the data
- remove the disks of array B
- Install 3 new drives
- Re configure Array B
- Reboot the Server
- Restore the data
- Start my application

Thanks

Mike

[Mark Mc Daniels]

One more caveat. Once you've backed up the data, run the ACU to remove the drives from the array, effectively destroying the array b configuration. Otherwise, each time you post, the array controller will attempt to "talk" to the drives and give you an post error.
You don't say what drives you have, but if they are the old style Wide Ultra Scsi-3 (they have the beige casing) the largest drive is a 36.4 gb. While no longer in production, but can be found in the aftermarket pretty readily. The option part number is 176496-B22.

[Mark Mc Daniels]

OOOPs, the part number I have you before is fan an Ultra3 drive, not cross compatible with the Ultra Scsi-3 drives. The correct part number is 176498-b21. Sorry about that.