new server to configure - not familiar with compaq hardware

[bookouri]

I have a new server to configure and install Win2K server, but Im not that familiar with setting up Compaq Hardware. This machine is destined to become my main Domain Controller on my Win2k domain. Id appreciate any suggestions regarding configuration. It came from the factory configured with all the drives in cage B. I added the drives to Cage A for the operating system. For some reason both cages are on the controller in slot 7. Would it be worthwhile to put each Cage on a separate controller for a performance increase? Why does windows report the Ultra2SCSI adapters as well as the smart array adapters? Are there really 5 physical scsi adapters on board this machine?

Windows reports:
Compaq 64-Bit Ultra2 SCSI Controller /p
Compaq 64-Bit Ultra2 SCSI Controller /p
Compaq Smart Array 5300 Controller
Compaq Smart Array 5300 Controller
Compaq Smart Array 5300 Controller

Compaq Array Configuration Reports
Compaq Smart Array 5300 Controller
Compaq Smart Array 5300 Controller
Compaq Smart Array 5300 Controller

The server has two Drive Cages on board
In Cage A I have two 18.2 drives (Raid0)
In Cage B I have six 72.8 drives (Raid5)

 

[dcain]

The controller in slot 7 is likely to be the SMART 5300. I normally leave all disks running through that, it has much better performance that the onboard SCSI ports. Most Compaq servers I've worked on have 2 built in SCSI ports so that's probably why they appear in the diags.

Not sure why the SMART controller is appearing three times though. I've never seen that with any of mine.


Hope this helps


David

 

[neuroman]

What is the ProLiant Model number of your server?

 

[Guest_imported]

I use the SmartStart Cd that comes with the server. If you do the assisted install from it, Then you will have you Diagnostic/Setup partition and It will also load all the drivers needed for the operating System that you are going to install. Then the last good thing is that it will load you OS with you participation. Now you have the most complicated server becoming easy through software. At our Hospital, we use it to build all the servers. I would use the version that came with the server or newer if one is available to you.

 

[bookouri]

I think I finally got everything configured. The ML530 came with three smart 5300 controllers and the two on board controllers. I ended up putting the OS on two mirrored drives on controller slot 6, and the application partition on controller slot 7, leaving controller slot 8 open/disabled for future use. I also disabled the two on board scsi controllers...

I still cant say I like this compaq stuff though.. <G>

 

[byteya]

3 smart 5300 controllers for a ML530. Does anyone else think this is overkill? Unless I had external arrays that I was connecting to, 1 controller would be sufficient for the internal drives. But... as long as you got them now...
*J*

 

[bookouri]

you cant have too many good things... when the budget is there you got to spend it or lose it..<G> Actually I do have an external drive array ready to pop on there when I need it...