HP Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems Controller settings, Create an array

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Controller settings

The default controller settings that ACU provides are adequate for many purposes. When necessary, however, you can use the Controller Settings task to:

Alter the priority that the system gives to an array expansion or rebuild

Disable the array accelerator (if one is present)

Change the ratio of read cache to write cache (if the controller has battery-backed cache)

To change the controller settings:

1.Click Controller Settings, and then click Begin.

The next two screens enable you to change the settings for the expand priority and the rebuild priority. These settings determine how much importance you want an array expansion or rebuild to have relative to normal I/O operations.

With low priority, the expansion or rebuild takes place only when the array controller is not busy handling normal I/O requests. This setting has minimal effect on normal I/O operations. However, there is an increased risk that data will be lost if another physical drive fails while the rebuild or expansion is in progress.

With high priority, the rebuild or expansion occurs at the expense of normal I/O operations. Although system performance is affected, this setting provides better data protection because the array is vulnerable to additional drive failures for a shorter time.

At the medium priority setting, expansion or rebuild occurs for half of the time, and normal I/O requests are handled during the rest of the time.

2.Set the expand priority to high, medium, or low, and then click Next.

3.Set the rebuild priority, and then click Next.

If the controller has an array accelerator, a screen now appears that gives you the option of disabling it for particular logical drives.

NOTE: Disabling the array accelerator for a logical drive reserves use of the accelerator cache for other logical drives on the array. This feature is useful if you want the other logical drives to have the maximum possible performance (for example, if the logical drives contain database information).

4.Select the logical drives for which the array accelerator should be disabled, and then click Next.

If the controller has a battery-backed cache, a screen now appears that enables you to change the read/write cache ratio. This ratio determines the amount of memory allocated to read and write operations. Different types of applications have different optimum ratios. You can change the ratio only if the controller has a battery-backed cache (only battery-backed cache can be used for write cache) and if there are logical drives configured on the controller.

5.Select the ratio that you want the controller to use, and then click Next.

6.Click Finish to accept the changes.

7.Click Save to apply the changes to the system, and then click OK on the confirmation alert.

Create an array

1.Click Create an array, and then click Begin.

2.Select the type of drive to be used in the array.

3.Select the physical drives that you want to use in the array.

Use physical drives of comparable capacity.

ACU uses the same amount of space from each physical drive to build an array. Because this amount cannot exceed the capacity of the smallest physical drive, the extra capacity of any larger drive in the array is unusable.

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Contents HP Array Configuration Utility User Guide Audience assumptions Contents Diagnosing array problems Installing ACU Features and system requirementsGetting started This sectionOverview for using ACU Setting the execution mode for Microsoft WindowsComparison of ACU execution modes Choosing an operating mode Opening ACU in Local Application modeHttp//servername2301 Opening ACU in Browser modeSelect Device Queries Opening ACU through Systems Insight ManagerGUI operating modes Typical Standard mode screenTypical Configuration Wizards mode screen Typical Express Configuration mode screen Completing the configuration processConfiguring a new controller Using Standard Configuration modePossible tasks in Standard Configuration mode Using Express Configuration mode Creating an array Using the configuration wizardsClick Finish Click Create an array, and then click BeginConfiguring a new controller Click Create a logical drive, and then click Begin Creating a logical driveConfiguring a new controller Modifying an existing configuration Modifying a configuration using Standard Configuration modeChoices available after opening ACU Modifying a configuration using the Configuration wizards Modifying a configuration using Express modeClear Configuration Click Express Configuration, and then click BeginController settings Click Controller Settings, and then click BeginCreate an array Create a logical drive Delete arrays Delete logical drives Expand ArrayClick Delete logical drives, and then click Begin Migrate a logical drive Extend logical driveClick Extend logical drive, and then click Begin Click Migrate a logical drive, and then click BeginSelective Storage Presentation Spare managementRA4x00 controllers Click Spare Management, and then click BeginMSA and Smart Array Cluster storage controllers Click ACU Switch Configuration Configuring switchesRecombining a split, mirrored array Splitting a mirrored arrayModifying an existing configuration Scripting in ACU Command line syntaxIntroduction to scripting in ACU Operating modesCpqacuxe -i Filename Sample custom input scriptDescription of option categories in ACU scripting Script file optionsController category Control categoryAction MethodController ClearConfigurationWithDataLossLicenseKey, DeleteLicenseKey RAIDArrayIDArray category SurfaceScanDelayRebuildPriority, ExpandPriority SSPStateOnlineSpare Logical Drive categoryDrive LogicalDriveSectors SizeStripeSize ArrayAcceleratorSSPAdaptersWithAccess Error reportingConnectionName HostModeACU scripting error messages 0-9, !, @, #, *, , , ,, -, , +, , ., /, and space. The ID Current configuration Using the Command Line Interface Overview of the ACU CLIRunning the CLI CLI syntax Command variableKeyword abbreviations Target variableExample command Typical proceduresHiding warning prompts Querying a deviceSyntax Sample scenarioExample commands Modifying the controller chassis nameExample Sample scenario Using Selective Storage PresentationManaging host modes connection profiles Modifying connection namesIdentifying devices Deleting target devicesExpanding an array Extending a logical driveManaging spare drives Target modify raid=01+0156adg? ss=8163264128256default?Migrating a logical drive Target modify size=#max? forcedChanging the Rebuild Priority setting Changing the Expand Priority settingChanging the controller cache ratio Changing the surface scan delay time Re-enabling a failed logical driveEnabling or disabling the drive cache Enabling or disabling the array accelerator Setting the targetDisabling a redundant controller Typical scenario= rescan Rescanning the systemFactors involved in logical drive failure Probability of logical drive failureProbability of logical drive failure Drive arrays Drive arrays and fault-tolerance methodsDrive arrays and fault-tolerance methods Hardware-based fault-tolerance methods Fault-tolerance methodsRAID 0-No fault tolerance AdvantagesDisadvantages RAID 1+0-drive mirroring RAID 6 ADG-Advanced Data Guarding RAID 5-distributed data guardingRAID RAID 6 ADG Comparing the hardware-based RAID methodsSelecting a RAID method Alternative fault-tolerance methodsDiagnostic tools Diagnosing array problemsServer Diagnostics Post messagesAcronyms and abbreviations SSP Index Index