RAID configuration backup procedure

[sumanlal V K]

Hello sir
I have 3 HP Proliant DL380 G5 servers with 2 GB ram, RAID cantroller smart array P400 512 MB BBWC

The HDD used is 72 GB sas 15 K rpm HDD. in each servers I did mirroring for first two HDD to make C partition. and in one server i made a combination of Mirroring (first 2 HDD) and RAID5 (next 3 HDD, total 5 + 1 Redundent HDD for RAID configuration)


Now my worry is IF in ANy CASE something happend to the server HDD or RAID card, I dont have current back of raid configuration. All the servers are same configuration and having 512 MB internal RAID memory..
How can i backup the raid configutation to a disk/external device, and how i restore the configuration if any disaster happens.

[Mark Matthews · Accepted solution]

Your RAID configuration is shared between the disks and the array controller.

This allows for either a disk to fail (as long as you have fault tolerant arrays) OR the controller to fail.

You would simply change the controller for one of the same model, moving the battery backed cache over too (dont disconnect the battery from the cache module!), and your RAID config would be read off the disks, and the server would boot up fine.

[sumanlal V K]

Thanks for your reply.

Is there any way to save the configuration to an external diskett? I know that there is no relavance on this question as you said there is a battery equiped backup. but still for my comfort i would like to take a back up of the configuration externally

is there any chance


sumanlal

[gregersenj]

No, you can't backup the RAID configuration.

The Smart Array use meta data, for the configuration.
The meta data is copied to all disks attached to the controller.

No matter how many disks you've got, and no matter how may arrays you got, there's a copy of the meta data on all disks.

[Jimmy Vance]

The RAID configuration is contained within the RIS area on each hard disk.

If you have the PSP installed, you can use the "cpqacuxe" utility in scripting mode to capture the current controller configurations.

Syntax:
cpqacuxe -c array_config.txt

The output will be something like shown below, this output shows 6 drives split into 2 RAID5 arrays


; Date captured: Thu Oct 09 22:11:16 2008
; Version: 8.10.1.0

Action= Configure
Method= Custom

; Controller Specifications
; Controller HP Smart Array P400, Firmware Version 5.20
Controller= Slot 1
ReadCache= 25
WriteCache= 75
RebuildPriority= Medium
ExpandPriority= Medium
SurfaceScanDelay= 15

; Array Specifications
Array= A
; Array Drive Type is SAS
; 2I:1:3 (72 GB),2I:1:2 (72 GB),2I:1:1 (72 GB)
Drive= 2I:1:3,2I:1:2,2I:1:1
OnlineSpare= No

; Logical Drive Specifications
LogicalDrive= 1
RAID= 5
Size= 139947
Sectors= 32
StripeSize= 64
ArrayAccelerator= Enabled

; Array Specifications
Array= B
; Array Drive Type is SAS
; 1I:1:6 (72 GB),1I:1:5 (72 GB),2I:1:4 (72 GB)
Drive= 1I:1:6,1I:1:5,2I:1:4
OnlineSpare= No

; Logical Drive Specifications
LogicalDrive= 2
RAID= 5
Size= 139947
Sectors= 32
StripeSize= 64
ArrayAccelerator= Enabled

[Gokul Chandola]

Hi,
you can use same configuration for All servers and not down the detail configuration in you paper and stik with server.

And you have to take backup in regular basis.

See keep in mind After few years you will not get same HDD in future. Then the Regular backup is medatory.

Regards,
Gokul Chandola

[sumanlal V K]

Hello
I have no proper back solution for my servers. currently i am taking reguler backups on External HDD. I am planning to purchase a proper backup solution from HP and contacted HP local Supplier aswell
They are proposing me MSL2024 Ultrium 920 Tape auto loader.
As i said I have Dl 380 G5 servers with Smart array P400 BBWC 512 MB. Also i am planning to buy symantec backup exic for backing up servers.
I am not clear which are the items i want to order to connect this MSL tape to my server.
also have no clear Idea of software licenses i want to purchase .. bcz I have Oracle application running on one server (total 3 servers . can be expantable to 4 servers soon)

thx in advance

regards
suman

[Gokul Chandola]

Hi,
You you no limit to expence Go Ahead.

Or

My View is Go for CA or any other product.

Use one server as a backup server and install Ultrium3 tape drive for Backup H/W.

For Oracle you have to install one agent in oracle server.

You can take backup centrally.


Regards,
Gokul Chandola

[Gokul Chandola]

Hi,
Price of CA is approx. Rs.6 Lacks.
Negosiable.
You can download Revolution Copy for Demo.

Regards,
Gokul Chandola

[sumanlal V K]

Thx for ur quick reply

Pls help me to identify the items which i want to purchase with MSL 2024.
I heard that i want to buy a PCI card to connect MSL 2024 to the server. Is there any compatability problem dl 380 g5 with MSL 2024

should i order a sas cable also to connect MSL2024 to the server?

sumanlal

[sumanlal V K]

what is CA?

[Gokul Chandola]

Hi,
Just call to HP or HP Partner for POC of Backup Solution.

""Proof of concept is a short and/or incomplete realization (or synopsis) of a certain method or idea(s) to demonstrate its feasibility, or a demonstration.""

This is free of cost.

If you are satisfied then Continue that product.


Points are welcome.

Regards,
Gokul Chandola

[Gokul Chandola]

Hi,
CA is company name and Top Backup Solution provider.

More info...
http://www.ca.com/us/


Regards,
Gokul Chandola

[sumanlal V K]

Hello
I am working In Ghana, West Africa. I dont think that I will get POC service from HP.
So what ever I need I want to research and find out. My doubt is what are the Items to be purchased
1 MSL tape library
2, PCI card?????????
3. External cable ?????????
software ?????????
anything alse ??????

[Gokul Chandola]

Hi,
Go for HP Solution.

http://h30067.www3.hp.com/Video.ashx?file=5694130306.wmv

HP Data Protector Software -
Overview & Features

http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/ebs/ebs123-2.html

Call to HP they will provide you Solution detail as well as cost.
One main benifit with HP is that they are providing Total backup online support.
If you are purchaging online support also you call to HP and HP engineering will resolve any issue related to backup.

But I don't know how much crusial data you are handling and what budget limit your company have all matters.

Online chatting is available in HP, use that and telephonic Support also available.

Best is Complete Online Solution with HP.

Regards,
Gokul Chandola.

[sumanlal V K]

my issue is solved