Automatically configuring logical drives for HP Smart Array P400 controller
 

Is it possible to automate the configuration of a servers raid drives (my system has a HP Smart Array P400 controller) or does that have to be done manually? Right now, when I get a rack of new servers, I have to go through each one and use the ORCA tool to setup the logical drives. I'm hoping there is some way to automate that. And forgive the lame question, but I am assuming you have to configure the logical drives before you can install the OS?

You can usually configure an HP Smart Array controller by using the HP SmartStart CD obtainable from:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...4ddda9353d075e

It's bootable and can also be used to diagnose problems with your server. There's also an ACU program (Array Configuration Utility) which allows you to set up logical volumes, etc.

It's looking like HP want people to buy the latest CD but some of the older ones may be just as useful and can be obtained here: http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/s...ement-100.html

I'm afraid I've no idea about automatically configuring the disks. Usually, once they've been set up that's it (unless you need to add a disk - don't ask, I don't know) Yes, you need to configure the RAID and initialise the volume before you can install the OS, same with data only volumes.

Play Bonny! :hattip:

I know there is a way to backup the raid configuration to a floppy or usb. if all the servers are the same - then you could restore the config to the other servers.

if your good at scripting - you probably could create a bootable linux disk/cd with the HP command line array config utility (hpacucli) and and have the script create the arrays and logical drives for you.

For some reason I get the feeling I read that somewhere on HP's site on enterprise deployment. Poke around there for that.