Proliant DL580 raid set up q's

[six3077]

Hi all,
Have multiple questions regarding the compaq proliant dl580 server.
Currently the server from my understanding is set up with the following configuration:
2 18.2Gb which are mirrored and hold winServer2003
2 compaq expansion storage units configured with raid5
(exp1-conatins 12 x 18.2 Gb HD)
(exp2-contains 14 x 18.2 Gb HD)

Here's the scenario.
Recently a 3rd storage unit has become available. It contains 14 x 36.4 Gb HD's.
How would one go about adding that to the raid 5 array?
Can it just be plugged into the server, booted up and added with minimal configuration? (if so, what would I have to do?)
....or....
Does the whole array need to be broken and started from scratch? How would one go about doing this.
And finally, if the mirrored raid does not have to touched, what should I be doing so as not to hurt the server o/s on there (if it needs to be done from scratch than there is no other way)

Oh and one more thing if you made it this far, what is the key to access the bios on this server??

Thanks for any information you can help me with, I don't mind doing the reading (so links are fine) I just don't know where to begin.

 

[anawrocki]

You have a lot of questions and there are many possabilites givven your hardware. I will try to help but need to know the following.........

What generation DL580 is this?

What RAID Controller(s) are you using?

Do you have different Raid controlers for OS and storage?

 

[anawrocki]

Also are you 26 18GB drives all in one RAID set or multiple RAID sets?

 

[six3077]

Hey, thanks for the replies.
Unfortunately I can't answer all of those questions, because I am more or less a middle man, I will find out during the course of the day.
I am positive the dl580 is not of the second generation. It's pretty 'old'.
I am under the impression that there is only one raid controller for the o/s and for the raid array.
As for which type of raid controller? I would imagine that it is a hardware based raid controller that would be listed in the common spec sheet for the dl580.
I suppose first things first then....

Is there any way I can just add the xtra expansion to the server, even as its own raid array? (going to be using raid 5 like the other expansions). It's going to be used for storage.

I don't really care at this point if the raid array would be added onto the exisitng raid (which would have to be broken). I'd be happy enough if I could just add that extra storage space to the server even if it is its own array.

Which ever is simplest and quickest and causes the least amount of down time.
I hope that clears some stuff up.
Anxiously awaiting your responses
Thanks again!

 

[anawrocki]

Without knowing what you have for a RAID controller I can only give you general info.

I don't know how many channels your RAID controler has, but worst case you could easilt add an additional Compaq RAID controler and add the new storage as a new RAID5 set.

If you have a free channel on you RAID controller you could easily add this as a new RAID5 set.