Anyone know if it is possible to go from 2 disks set as RAID1 to 4 disks set as RAID5 (3+hs) using the HP ACU??? I know you can add disks to an array and expand the array over the new disks etc but all the info I have found talks about expanding an existing RAID5. THe server has a total of 4 slots so maximum of 4 disks.

Anyone know if it is possible to go from 2 disks set as RAID1 to 4 disks set as RAID5 (3+hs) using the HP ACU??? I know you can add disks to an array and expand the array over the new disks etc but all the info I have found talks about expanding an existing RAID5. THe server has a total of 4 slots so maximum of 4 disks.

I'm sure you can, I seem to remember doing it on a course once. I'll have a look for my course notes

Right, Here we go

1 Insert the new disks (must be same size/speed as the current disks)

2 Open ACU

3 Make sure new disks are seen

4 Select Array A then click Expand Array on the Right hand side

5 Select 1 New Disk (forcing it to RAID5), Click OK

6 You will be prompted about migrating from RAID1+0 to RAID5, Click OK to continue

7 Click Save > OK

8 Select the logical drive in Array A then click more information, this will show you the expansion/migration progress

9 Once migration is complete you can now extend the array

10 Select the RAID5 Logical drive

11 Click Extend Size

12 Enter the desired size (normally maximum size)

These are the steps for adding 1 new disk and migrating from RAID1+0 to RAID5, you might be able to add 2 disks at step 5 but we didn't.

The above can all be performed ONLINE so no need to take the server offline, however before proceeding make sure you have a Full Backup & perform this at the quietest time to aid rebuild and less impact for the end users.

I'm not sure if this is possible without BBWC, Our test lab had BBWC and an embedded 6i controller.

Hope this helps

Matthew

Cheers Matthew

I know they have the P410i embedded with Cache but not the battery so will need to check with HP then.

Karl

i can confirm i've done the above steps several times and it worked a treat

Cheers Matthew

I know they have the P410i embedded with Cache but not the battery so will need to check with HP then.

Karl

Karl,

The P410i are the newer SAS/SATA controllers?? You should be OK from a functionality/firmware point of view, I can't imagine the battery will make any difference (unless you loose power during the migration process) but worth checking out.

Matthew

HP confirmed that the battery IS needed to perform the migration? I believe that is purely a safety measure though as the process occurs ONLINE? really impressed with these HP Proliants, some nice features being able to manipulate the raid in this way. I originally tried the good old fashioned method of image off to a sata drive connected via USB Dongle but as I was not able to boot from the drive to confirm if the image was good I bailed But now that I know a bit more about the HP Smart Array stuff I am feeling a lot happier....

Cheers once again for the help. :D

Karl

Karl,

NP matie. I've been a fan of HP servers for many years and am a HP AIS certified engineer for the Proliant range , its just a shame I've now moved from Wintel to Solaris/Linux and don't use HP kit anymore :'(

Matthew