HP ProLiant DL590/64 ProLiant DL590/64 Server Technology - Page 14

Integrated Smart Array Controller, Configuration Utilities

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TC020702TB TECHNOLOGY BRIEF (cont.) ... Integrated Smart Array Controller The ProLiant DL590/64 server is equipped with an integrated Smart Array controller (Figure 13). The integrated controller, also known as RAID on a chip, or ROC, is an embedded hardware-based RAID solution that enhances system reliability and improves host processor utilization. It is ideal for data center servers where internal storage is optimized for OSs and swap space. Figure 13: The ProLiant DL590/64 server includes an integrated Smart Array controller. RAID implementation enhances data integrity and recovery through data striping and parity generation for the data rebuild process. The integrated array controller improves host process utilization by performing all RAID functions, thus freeing the host processor for other tasks. The controller is fully integrated and embedded on the motherboard of the ProLiant DL590/64 server, which improves I/O efficiency and frees a PCI slot for another controller. The integrated controller can also queue tasks and data, thereby increasing performance. The integrated controller consists of a processor, memory controller and hardware exclusive-OR (XOR) engine, SCSI chip, PCI bridge, and an internal bus structure embedded on a single substrate. The controller has fewer parts than typical array controllers, since all of the components and connections are combined into one integrated circuit. With fewer parts, reliability is improved and mean time between failures is increased. The integrated array controller includes a 16-MB read-only memory, with an 8-MB read-ahead cache. This memory configuration is optimal for OS and boot support. Since the memory is read only, data loss is not an issue and battery backup is not required. Configuration Utilities The Option ROM Configuration for Arrays Utility is firmware that comes with the integrated controller in the ProLiant DL590/64 server. This firmware allows users to set up a simple configuration during the power-on self-test (POST). The support includes the ability to create up to four logical drives, delete existing logical drives, view the current configuration, and assign an online spare as part of the logical drive creation process. 14

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T
ECHNOLOGY
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Integrated Smart Array Controller
The ProLiant DL590/64 server is equipped with an integrated Smart Array controller (Figure 13).
The integrated controller, also known as RAID on a chip, or ROC, is an embedded hardware-based
RAID solution that enhances system reliability and improves host processor utilization.
It is ideal
for data center servers where internal storage is optimized for OSs and swap space.
Figure 13:
The ProLiant DL590/64 server includes an integrated Smart Array controller.
RAID implementation enhances data integrity and recovery through data striping and parity
generation for the data rebuild process.
The integrated array controller improves host process
utilization by performing all RAID functions, thus freeing the host processor for other tasks.
The
controller is fully integrated and embedded on the motherboard of the ProLiant DL590/64 server,
which improves I/O efficiency and frees a PCI slot for another controller.
The integrated
controller can also queue tasks and data, thereby increasing performance.
The integrated controller consists of a processor, memory controller and hardware exclusive-OR
(XOR) engine, SCSI chip, PCI bridge, and an internal bus structure embedded on a single
substrate.
The controller has fewer parts than typical array controllers, since all of the components
and connections are combined into one integrated circuit.
With fewer parts, reliability is improved
and mean time between failures is increased.
The integrated array controller includes a 16-MB read-only memory, with an 8-MB read-ahead
cache.
This memory configuration is optimal for OS and boot support.
Since the memory is read
only, data loss is not an issue and battery backup is not required.
Configuration Utilities
The Option ROM Configuration for Arrays Utility is firmware that comes with the integrated
controller in the ProLiant DL590/64 server.
This firmware allows users to set up a simple
configuration during the power-on self-test (POST).
The support includes the ability to create up
to four logical drives, delete existing logical drives, view the current configuration, and assign an
online spare as part of the logical drive creation process.
14
TC020702TB