9-48 Upgrading Your Server

Use of a disk expansion unit in a disk array configuration

A disk expansion unit is an exclusive device that can install up to 14 hard disk drives. (The number of hard disk drives depends on the model.) The server containing a disk array controller board can connect one or two of these devices. For details on the number of devices connected, see the manuals provided with the disk array controller and disk expansion unit.

IMPORTANT: A disk expansion unit is provided with no hard disk drives. You need to purchase hard disk drives separately.

An optional cable may be required to connect with a disk expansion unit. Refer to the manual coming with the disk expansion unit for details.

After connecting the disk expansion unit, use the RAID configuration utility in the chip on the board to set the disk expansion unit in a disk array configuration (RAID0, RAID1, or RAID5). (The utility varies depending on the board.) For details on settings and the setting methods, see the online document in the NEC EXPRESSBUILDER CD-ROM provided with the server or the manual provided with the board.

While a disk expansion unit is set in a disk array configuration, you can use the "Auto Rebuild" feature of the disk array controller to restore data if one of the hard disk drives installed in the disk expansion unit fails. (Replace the failing hard disk drive while the power is on. (Hot swapping))