Greetings,
Please pardon my post if it is not complete this is my first one and unfortunately, I don't have a lot of information with me. I may have to get more info if necessary the next time I go on site. I have a few questions regarding configuring the array. I know it's wordy, but I wanted to include as much information as I had.
I am about to inherit an ML370. It is a production machine for about 30 users and has been functioning fine for 5 months. Here is what I currently know about it. It is currently under support with HP. It has a Smart Array 6400 controller in slot 4. (ACU says so). Last August, it crashed. I am told by the former admin that after a few attempts to repair it, HP came on site and replaced the RAID cage, a drive or two, the cable and I think (but not sure) the controller. For whatever reason the machine was rebuilt with what I consider a poorly though out disk plan and I would like to fix it.
The machine has 5 drives in it. 0,1,2,3 & 5.
Drives 0 & 1 are 2 72gb drives, are RAID 1 and are the OS (SBS 2003 Ent).
Drive 2 is a standalone 146 gb drive. RAID 0.
Drives 3 & 5 are 2 146 drives and are RAID 0.
Slot 4 is empty.
According to Windows Disk Manager:
Partition C is the OS.
Partition E is drive 2.
Partition F is a 136 GB logical drive carved out of array C.
Partition G is a second 136 GB logical drive carved out of array C. (It also says this is a page file).
I would like to:
A. Make 2 backups of all the data on E, F & G .
B. Then add another 146 drive, and install it in slot 4.
C. I would like to keep (and hopefully not have to reinstall) the OS on the first two drives (0&1).
D. Then I want to reconfigure the array controller to Make a RAID 5 array out of 3 of the remaining 4 146 gb drives, and keep the last 146 gb as an online hot-swap.
Questions:
1. Is the 6400 a hot-swappable controller, and are all the drives (72 and 146) hot swappable?
2. Is it an auto fail-over system?
3. If so, can the 146 hot swap be used if needed to auto-fail-over for EITHER a 72 (RAID 1) or 146 (RAID 5)? Is the controller and firmware "smart" enough (no pun intended) to format the 146 as a 72, and rebuild it from the remaining 72 gb drive should it fail.
4. Can the controller be configured to notify someone if an array has been compromised?
I presume like most array controllers the process is pretty straightforward. Are there any tips, tricks or "gotcha's" I should be aware of before attempting this. Is there anything I should be on the lookout for? I plan on doing it on a weekend, but it IS a production machine and *will* have to ready by Monday.
Any suggestions, comments or thoughts welcome.
Thanks again for putting up with my noobie-ness.
P......
Please pardon my post if it is not complete this is my first one and unfortunately, I don't have a lot of information with me. I may have to get more info if necessary the next time I go on site. I have a few questions regarding configuring the array. I know it's wordy, but I wanted to include as much information as I had.
I am about to inherit an ML370. It is a production machine for about 30 users and has been functioning fine for 5 months. Here is what I currently know about it. It is currently under support with HP. It has a Smart Array 6400 controller in slot 4. (ACU says so). Last August, it crashed. I am told by the former admin that after a few attempts to repair it, HP came on site and replaced the RAID cage, a drive or two, the cable and I think (but not sure) the controller. For whatever reason the machine was rebuilt with what I consider a poorly though out disk plan and I would like to fix it.
The machine has 5 drives in it. 0,1,2,3 & 5.
Drives 0 & 1 are 2 72gb drives, are RAID 1 and are the OS (SBS 2003 Ent).
Drive 2 is a standalone 146 gb drive. RAID 0.
Drives 3 & 5 are 2 146 drives and are RAID 0.
Slot 4 is empty.
According to Windows Disk Manager:
Partition C is the OS.
Partition E is drive 2.
Partition F is a 136 GB logical drive carved out of array C.
Partition G is a second 136 GB logical drive carved out of array C. (It also says this is a page file).
I would like to:
A. Make 2 backups of all the data on E, F & G .
B. Then add another 146 drive, and install it in slot 4.
C. I would like to keep (and hopefully not have to reinstall) the OS on the first two drives (0&1).
D. Then I want to reconfigure the array controller to Make a RAID 5 array out of 3 of the remaining 4 146 gb drives, and keep the last 146 gb as an online hot-swap.
Questions:
1. Is the 6400 a hot-swappable controller, and are all the drives (72 and 146) hot swappable?
2. Is it an auto fail-over system?
3. If so, can the 146 hot swap be used if needed to auto-fail-over for EITHER a 72 (RAID 1) or 146 (RAID 5)? Is the controller and firmware "smart" enough (no pun intended) to format the 146 as a 72, and rebuild it from the remaining 72 gb drive should it fail.
4. Can the controller be configured to notify someone if an array has been compromised?
I presume like most array controllers the process is pretty straightforward. Are there any tips, tricks or "gotcha's" I should be aware of before attempting this. Is there anything I should be on the lookout for? I plan on doing it on a weekend, but it IS a production machine and *will* have to ready by Monday.
Any suggestions, comments or thoughts welcome.
Thanks again for putting up with my noobie-ness.
P......