Turn off hardware RAID on ProLiant ML350 Gen9 server / use a SSD SATA-III drive for boot?

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Hi there

We have some ProLiant ML350 Gen9 server and i would like to disable the hardware RAID controller so all HDDs will be threaten as separate drives (the "usual" thing), Then i would like to add an SSD for the OS (Proxmox) and use Linux software RAID-5 with 3 or more HDD drives.

Is that possible, does somebody know this?

Major questions:

a.) How to disable the hardware RAID array? Do i need to do this in the "iLO" or is there also something like a BIOS?

b.) If it is possible to disable HW RAID: Is the SATA controller able to handle modern SATA-III SSD drives?

Thank you very very much for your feedbacks.

[Torsten.]

It depends on the smart array controller you are using.

Do you really think a software RAID5 is a good idea, better than hardware?

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Hi 

Thank you very much for your feedback.

"It depends on the smart array controller you are using."

I use the controller that is on the mainboard of  ProLiant ML350 Gen9 - there are no additional PCIe-cards or something like that... 

"Do you really think a software RAID5 is a good idea, better than hardware?" 

Oh yes - especially on Linux in combinations with a good, enterprise-class SATA controller...
(Maybe not on Windows)

And i don't like if we have to pay to send RAID status message via iLO - no really!!

[Torsten.]

Exact model?

There are several different models possible.

>> And i don't like if we have to pay to send RAID status message via iLO - no really!! 

Please explain.

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"Please explain."

I meant: "And i don't like if we have to pay to send RAID status message via iLO - noT really!! "

I think we have to pay licence fees for the "special" feature to send RAID status messages via SMTP(S) in iLO...? Or am i wrong with that?


An no - i.m.o there are no different models of that server:

- Series: "Proliant"
- Model: ML350
- Generation 9

...or is somewhere a list with "different" models of ProLiant ML350 Gen9...? Can't finy any lists with different models of ProLiant ML350 Gen9... 

[Torsten.]

The ML350 Gen9 always has a HPE Dynamic Smart Array B140i, optionally a HPE Flexible Smart Array P440ar mounted on the board.

Regarding ILO see

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c05269613

Test advanced features for free:

https://www.hpe.com/de/de/resources/integrated-systems/ilo-advanced-trial.html

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Here is a screenshot of the Windows device manager hardware ID:

"Test advanced features for free:"

Thank you - the question was another....

[Torsten.]

HBA mode:

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Thank you very much, will look on it and mark it as a solution if it works!!  

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One question more: How can i also get that GUI (to change to HBA mode) without a web browser, e.g. with pressing a key on server start? (Similar to BIOS...)

Thank you for your feedback.

[Torsten. · Accepted solution]

Press F10 for IP during boot.

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Thank you very much!!