Proliant ML350G4p with Smart Array 641

[b1gb1ll]

Hi All

These things certainly have a habit of growing out of all proportion, don't they??

Just embarking on my third build, I picked up a cheap:-
HP Proliant ML350 G4p
Xeon 3.4GHz CPU
4GB Ram
Smart Array 641 RAID Controller
2 x 72.8 GB Ultra320 10k scsi Hard Drives (Mirrored - RAID 1)
Running X64 Embedded Version 9.1.0.1 (Rev 690)

It looks as though the Smart Array Controller presents the two drives as one...

Now my understanding is that in order to set up a software RAID Array, then the disks need to be seen as individuals as when I try to set this up it tells me I need a minimum of two disks.

I have done this successfully on previous builds, but where all drives are connected directly, individually to the motherboard and therefore seen as separate entities, but where all the drives are going through one RAID Controller and seen as one, how is it achieved?

Is it a case of configuring the hardware RAID differently? and if so can anyone tell me how that is archived?

Can someone point me in the right direction of where to start reading up on this one, I have searched the forum but not really found anything relevant.

Thanks a lot guys...

[b0ssman]

you want to go into the raid bios and destroy the existing raid array and see if after that the controller presents 2 drives to the system

[b1gb1ll]

Nice one!

go into the raid bios and destroy the existing raid array

Anyone got experience with Proliant Servers, care to guide me through that procedure??

[b0ssman]

When a server is powered up, the Power-On Self-Test (POST) runs, and any array
controllers that are in the system are initialized. If the array controller supports
ORCA, POST temporarily halts, and an ORCA prompt message is displayed for
approximately five seconds. (If ORCA is not supported, the prompt message is not
displayed, and the system continues with the startup sequence.)
While the prompt is displayed, press the F8 key to start ORCA. The ORCA main
menu is displayed, allowing you to create, view, or delete a logical drive. (On a
ProLiant system, you can also use ORCA to set the currently selected controller as
the boot controller.)

[b1gb1ll]

Thanks bOssman, I did see an option to press F8 during boot up, but I don't remember it stating that this was for ORCA, nor for the RAID Controller, but I dont remember what it said that it was for.
I will take a look at this, but I'm away now for the B/H weekend so it will be a good couple of days.

[b1gb1ll]

Hi b0ssman

Hope your still , monitoring this post.

OK, I followed your instructions into the RAID controller management screen (whether this was ORCA or some other utility, I don't Know it didn't say) and destroyed the existing mirror, I did not set anything else up, should I have done?

It now is not seeing anything other than My DVD & my USB Drive.

I have a vague recollection of seeing somewhere that I need to set up the RAID controller as JBOD, if so any ideas on how?

I also noticed whilst in ORCA (???) it said for more configuration options go to HP Array Configuration Utility (or something similar) but no instructions on how to access this. are you familiar with what its referring to?

Thanks
Mike

[b0ssman]

did you reimport the discs in nas4free?

anyway if the raid controller only shows configured raid you could try like you said to set up a jbod of 1 drive each.

however: if that server only has 2 x 72 gb drives maybe it be an idea to buy a sas controller and some 2 or 3 tb sata drives and use the with the server and not use the smart array controller.

[Lee Sharp]

Proliant RAID can be a bear to configure. You may need to find and download the "QuickStart" CDs for that server to configure the RAID.

[b1gb1ll]

Proliant RAID can be a bear to configure. You may need to find and download the "QuickStart" CDs for that server to configure the RAID.

Thanks Lee
Would I need an OS installing for this or would I access this before the OS is loaded as per ORCA?

[b1gb1ll]

it be an idea to buy a sas controller and some 2 or 3 tb sata drives and use the with the server and not use the smart array controller.

b0ssman
This opens up a whole new can of worms for me, and is making me think I may have jumped in too soon, and maybe I should have found my feet more before starting to spend money.

I was under the impression that this Proliant ML350 G4p that I picked up cheap would only take a max of 6+2 x 300GB SCSI disks offering a (fairly small) nominal 1.8GB for the 6 disks and I have found and negotiated a pretty good deal for a set of 6 (£240 GB) you now state that I could go to several 2 or 3 TB sata drives on a SAS controller.

Fortunately I haven't actually paid for the disks yet but the guy is pushing me for a decision. (do I buy or do I wait a while till I have a better understanding??????)

I am confused as to just what I can put into this server it seems I could get more disks space for my £ using SATA.

Sorry but I need this explaining in very simple terms, also confused by your comment ''buy a sas controller & sata drives'.

Thanks for the help.
Mike

[Lee Sharp]

Smart Start (not quick Start... Sorry) is a Live CD to configure your server. Get it here. http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/Te ... a51b8af444

As to drives, SATA is cheaper than SCSI by a lot. But SATA will not go in the drive cages on your server. If you are buying the equipment, it is not money effective. If you are repurposing it, it can be. Another option might be a SATA or SAS controller and a JBOD like this. http://www.norcotek.com/item_detail.php ... lno=ds-12d

Or if you have 3 5.25 drive bays (ditch the CD) you can use this. http://www.norcotek.com/item_detail.php ... lno=ss-500

[b0ssman]

scsi is very outdated technology.

Lee Sharp says that sata drives will not go into your drive cages. that may be true but see if you can remove the backplane. without that you should be able to use sata drives in your case.

and yes you can you sata drives on a sas controller. most controller you want to use are sas nowadays.

from the picture here
http://images.esellerpro.com/2131/I/678 ... %20941.jpg
i assume that the board has 2 8x pcie slots

so you could buy an ibm m1015 controller. (fairly cheap) plus a mini-sas to 4x sata cable.

as drives for a nas server i would suggest the western digital red drives. (3tb have the best price/storage ratio atm)

[b1gb1ll]

Hi Guys

Desicion taken and drives bought. FYI I have gone for 6 off SCSI drives to fit directly in without anything else required.

Still not 100% convinced at its the right way but ive ccommited to it now so I guess it's best to stop investigating the 'what ifs' for now.

But thanks a lot for all your input.

Cheers

Mike

(Post edited and question removed asked elsewhere).