Overview Of Array Configuration Tools; Utilities Available For Configuring An Array; Comparison Of The Utilities - HP 166207-B21 - Smart Array 5302/32 RAID Controller Reference Manual

Overview of array configuration tools

Utilities available for configuring an array

To configure an array on an HP Smart Array controller, three utilities are available:
•
Option ROM Configuration for Arrays (ORCA)—A simple utility used mainly to configure the first
logical drive in a new server before the operating system is loaded
•
HP Online Array Configuration Utility for NetWare (CPQONLIN)—A more full-featured utility for
online configuration of servers that use Novell NetWare
•
HP Array Configuration Utility (ACU)—An advanced utility that enables you to perform many
complex configuration tasks
Before you use a utility, confirm that the utility can support the required task. View a comparison of the
utilities (on page 5).
Whichever utility you use, remember the following factors when you build an array:
•
All drives in an array must be of the same type (for example, all SAS or all SATA).
•
For the most efficient use of drive space, all drives within an array should have approximately the
same capacity. Each configuration utility treats every physical drive in an array as if it has the same
capacity as the smallest drive in the array. Any excess capacity of a particular drive cannot be used
in the array and is unavailable for data storage.
•
The more physical drives configured in an array, the greater the probability that the array will
experience a drive failure at any time. For more information, see "Relative probability of failure for
different logical drives (on page 93)."
•
To guard against the data loss that occurs when a drive fails, configure all logical drives in an array
with a suitable fault-tolerance (RAID) method. For more information, see "Drive arrays and fault-
tolerance methods (on page 94)."

Comparison of the utilities

Feature
Interface
Languages
Source of
executable file
When the utility
can be used
ACU
GUI or CLI
English, French, German,
Italian, Japanese, and
Spanish
Software CD or Web
The GUI can be used at
any time, but the CLI can
be used only when the
operating system is
running.
CPQONLIN
Menu-based
English
Software CD or Web
Any time the operating
system is running
Overview of array configuration tools 5
ORCA
Menu-based or CLI
English
Preinstalled in ROM of HP
Smart Array controllers
During POST, before the
operating system is
installed