OK to swap SmartArray 3200 for embedded SmartArray 5i?

[nowandever29]

Hi,

We've got a Compaq DL380 G2, with a built-in Smart Array 5i controller, operating fine. We want to put a SmartArray 3200 into the server, and connect the existing drives to that. I THINK it should be OK, and should recognize the array fine. Anybody have any experience with this?

Thanks!!!
Nowandever29

 

[ntinlin]

Why bother?

The 5i is just as good as the 3200 if you add the battery backed write cache module.
3200 only handles up to wide-ultra 3 as well not Ultra320 or 160 if I remember correctly. I'm separated from my docs at the moment so not positive.

The DL380 G2 and G3 are designed so that you should always run the first two drives off the 5i anyway. If you put them on another controller you lose SMART monitoring etc.

Neill

 

[nowandever29]

Thanks,

It's one of those situations where we need more cache, we have a 3200 with oodles of cache, and no cache module for the 5i...so they want me to use the 3200.

Thanks

 

[ntinlin]

My mistake.

It is the G3 that has the split backplane that must have the first two drives off the 5i.

3200 will be slower than 5i though since it only supports up to Wide Ultra 2 whereas the 5i supports Ultra 3.

The cabling of an extra RAID card on a 580 is a pain as well since Compaq haven't left a channel for it from the drive cage to the drive bay connectors.

If you can get them to spring for the BBWC module for the 5i it will have same amount of RAM as 3200 and be faster.

Neill

 

[sandav92]

I don't see why you or your company want to change back to a SA3200 when you have 5i. Also if you do this you also have to change the compaq array drivers.