HP StorageWorks 4000 Compaq RAID Array 4000 Storage System: Deployment and Con - Page 6

Compaq RAID Array 4000 Storage System: Deployment and Configuration 6 Deploying the RA4000 Upgrading from FCSS to RA4000 The RA4000 is an open solution that has been tested, proven, and optimized for seamless integration and unmatched performance with Compaq X86 servers and critical applications. This solution features a controller board with 64 megabytes of cache. The controller board in some Fibre Channel Storage Systems (FCSS) contain 32 megabytes of cache. To upgrade your FCSS to an RA4000, you must: 1. Ensure the cache sizes on your controller pairs are equal. Otherwise, your cache will be disabled and performance will be reduced. Your alternatives are to pair controllers with either 32 MB or 64 MB caches or to upgrade an existing 32 MB cache controller with a 64 MB cache. To do so, you must order and install the Compaq Fibre Channel Array Controller 64 MB Cache Upgrade Kit (p/n 262398-B21). IMPORTANT: When upgrading to the RA4000, make sure the cache sizes of the controller boards match. If the cache sizes do not match, all of the cache will be disabled. 2. Install the new drivers and firmware included on SmartStart 4.3 or later. 3. If you are using Microsoft Windows NT (either clustered or nonclustered installations), purchase the Compaq ProLiant Cluster HA/F 200 kit. Each integrated RA4000 Controller includes an enhanced Array Accelerator with a total of 64 megabytes of cache. Of that total, 16 megabytes is dedicated read cache that is integrated on the base controller board. The remaining 48 megabytes of cache is user-selectable, battery-backed read/write cache located on a small, removable board that plugs into the base controller. One major advantage of migrating from an FCSS to the RA4000 is that the customer can run two controller cards, each with 64 megabytes of cache, with available software. In a redundant configuration, if the active controller or other component fails or becomes inoperative, the standby controller will take over, notify the system administrator of the problem, and maintain operation of the storage subsystem. Unplanned downtime is minimized. An RA4000 can provide redundancy in either a single server environment or in a clustered server environment. In any type of server environment, the RA4000(s) must have dual controllers installed to ensure controller failover redundancy. With single controllers, there is no controller redundancy to protect the data should a component fail. 0206-0699