HP Smart Array P812 Controller

• Updating supported hard drives.

• Seamless upgrades to and from other HP Smart Array controllers.
• Storage interface (SAS/SATA)
  • Two Mini SAS 4i connectors for attachment to internal drive backplanes
  • Four Mini SAS 4x connectors for attachment to JBODs and external tape drives
  • 6 Gb/s SAS technology delivers up to 600 MB/s per physical link.
  • 3 Gb/s SATA technology delivers up to 300 MB/s for directly attached SATA drives.
  • Mix-and-match SAS and SATA drives. Deploy drive technology as needed to fit the computing environment.
  • Support for SAS tape drives, SAS tape autoloaders and SAS tape libraries.
• Host interface (PCI Express)
• PCI Express 2.0 8x host interface provides up to 4 GB/s in each direction
• RAID controller features
• 1 GiB flash-backed write cache (not all of which is available for user data)
• RAID 0, 1, 1+0, 5, 6, 50, and 60
• Recovery ROM protects against ROM corruption.
• Smart Array Advanced Pack license key included (see below)
• Consistent management software among all Smart Array family products, including Array Configuration Utility (ACU), Systems Insight Manager (SIM), Array Diagnostic Utility (ADU), Online ROM Configuration Utility (ORCA), and SmartStart.
• SAS 2.0 (6 Gb/s, 3 Gb/s, and 1.5 Gb/s). 6 Gb/s bandwidth supports larger numbers of SAS drives in the SAS subsystem and provides better support for future high-bandwidth SSDs.
• SATA 2.6 (3 Gb/s and 1.5 Gb/s).
• 24 SAS/SATA physical links distributed across six Mini SAS connectors
  • Two Mini SAS 4i connectors (8 physical links): for attachment to internal drive backplanes
  • Four Mini SAS 4x connectors (16 physical links): for attachment to JBODs and external tape drives

• PCI Express 2.0 (5 MT/s and 2.5 MT/s)
• Eight lane mechanical connector
• Electrically supports one, four, and eight lanes

P812 includes a PMC-Sierra SRC 8x6G SAS RAID-on-chip featuring:

• Eight SAS/SATA physical links, each supporting 6, 3, and 1.5 Gb/s for SAS protocol and 3 and 1.5 Gb/s for SATA protocol
• Eight PCI Express 2.0 lanes each supporting 5 Gb/s
• DDR2-800 memory controller
• High performance MIPS-based multi-processor subsystem
• Hardware XOR and Reed-Solomon Engines for RAID 5 and RAID 6 acceleration
• P812 also includes a PMC-Sierra SXP 36x3GSec 6 Gb/s SAS Expander to support six Mini SAS connectors in one controller card.

RAID Processor and Expander

The P812 1GB array accelerator features a flash-backed cache. If the cache DRAM contains write data when power is lost, the write data is copied into flash memory chips on the cache module, drawing power from attached capacitors. When power is restored, if the flash memory chips contain write data, the data is copied back into the DRAM so it can be flushed to the drives.

Advantages over battery-backed cache architectures include:

• No 72-hour deadline for retrieving the data before the batteries fully discharge
• Capacitors charge faster than batteries; controller disables the write cache for only a few minutes waiting for capacitors to charge rather than a few hours waiting for batteries to charge
• No need for periodic battery replacement
• No special disposal process

P812 supports the latest interface speeds.

Native Command Queuing (NCQ)

Native Command Queuing (NCQ) is a technology designed to increase performance of SATA hard disk drives by allowing the individual hard disk to internally optimize the order in which received read and write commands are executed. This can reduce the amount of unnecessary going back-and-forth on the drive's heads, resulting in increased performance for workloads where multiple simultaneous read/write requests are outstanding, most often occurring in server or storage-type applications. Without NCQ the drive has to process and complete one command at a time. For NCQ to be enabled, it must be supported and turned on in the controller and in the hard drive itself.

NOTE: Please see the SATA Hard Drive QuickSpecs for specific SATA hard drive capacities that support NCQ: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11940_na/11940_na.html.

Dual Domain Support

Many issues customers have with third party drives are "simple" integration issues. When buying from another supplier, there is no guarantee that a drive has been correctly set for proper operation with ProLiant servers and storage systems. These incompatibilities can create problems in configuration, can rob your system of performance, or at their worst, can cause you to lose data. HP drives are specifically designed and tested for flawless operation in your HP equipment. The integration of solid state drives in HP systems means that associated components are right for your ProLiant server.

Number of Drives

P812 supports up to 108 drives. Examples:

• Eight internal drives plus four HP D2700 Disk Enclosures with 25 drives each (108 drives)
• Eight internal drives plus eight HP D2600 Disk Enclosures with 12 drives each (104 drives)
• Eight internal drives plus four HP MSA70 Disk Enclosures with 25 drives each (108 drives)
• Eight internal drives plus eight HP MSA60 Disk Enclosures with 12 drives each (104 drives)

RAID Levels

• RAID 0 (striping) provides no extra data protection. Data is striped across all drives in the array to increase performance. RAID 0 requires a minimum of one drive.
• RAID 1 (mirroring) protects against failure of one drive. Data is duplicated on a pair of drives. RAID 1 requires a minimum of two drives. Also see the Advanced Pack Mirror Splitting and Combining feature.
• RAID 1+0 (mirroring and striping) protects against failure of one drive (and failure of particular multiple drives). RAID 1+0 is a nested RAID method that uses RAID 0 striping across RAID 1 arrays to provide performance and protection. RAID 1+0 requires a minimum of four drives. Also see the Advanced Pack Mirror Splitting and Combining feature.
• RAID 5 (distributed data guarding) protects against failure of one drive. Data protection is provided by parity data distributed across all the drives. When a physical drive fails, data that was on the failed drive can be calculated from the remaining parity data and user data on the other drives in the array. This recovered data is usually written to an online spare drive through a process called a rebuild. RAID 5 requires a minimum of three drives.
• RAID 6 with ADG (Advanced Data Guarding): This is the highest level of fault tolerance. It allocates two sets of parity data across drives and allows simultaneous write operations. This level of fault tolerance can withstand two simultaneous drive failures without downtime or data loss.
• RAID 50 (RAID 5+0) protects against failure of one drive (and failure of particular multiple drives). RAID 50 is a nested RAID method that uses RAID 0 striping across RAID 5 arrays. RAID 50 tolerates one drive failure in each spanned array without loss of data. RAID 50 requires less rebuild time than single RAID 5 arrays RAID 50 requires a minimum of six drives.
• RAID 60 (RAID 6+0) allows administrators to split the RAID 6 storage across multiple external boxes. RAID 60 requires a minimum of eight drives. RAID 60 is a nested RAID method that uses RAID 0 block-level striping across multiple RAID 6 arrays with dual distributed parity. With the inclusion of dual parity, RAID 60 will tolerate the failure of two disks in each spanned array without loss of data.

Online Management Features

• Online Capacity Expansion (increase array size feature)
• Advanced Capacity Expansion (shrink array and move array features)
• Online RAID Level Migration (change the fault tolerance level of a configured logical drive)
• Online Stripe Size Migration (change the stripe size of a configured logical drive)
• Online Spares (provide automatic drive replace for a failed drive in RAID levels other than RAID 0)
• User Selectable Expand and Rebuild Priority (select the priority of rebuilding data from a failed drive over current requests from the operating system)
• User Selectable Stripe Size
• User Selectable Read and Write Cache Sizes
• Logical Drive Extension (increase logical drive size without disturbing data)
• User Selectable Surface Scan idle interval (control the background process that scans drives for bad sectors, and verify the consistency of RAID 5 and RAID 6 parity data)
• Physical Drive Write Cache control (enable drive write cache for applications like video editing that that can tolerate data loss, and/or systems that have redundant and uninterruptible power supplies)

Availability

Provides increased server uptime by providing advanced storage functionality:

• Online RAID Level Migration (between any RAID level)
• Online Capacity Expansion
• Logical Drive Capacity Extension
• Global Online Spare
• Pre-Failure Warranty

Fault Prevention

The following features offer detection of possible failures before they occur, allowing preventive action to be taken:

• S.M.A.R.T.: Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology first developed at HP detects possible hard disk failure before it occurs, allowing replacement of the component before failure occurs.
• Drive Parameter Tracking monitors drive operational parameters, predicting failure and notifying the administrator.
• Dynamic Sector Repairing continually performs background surface scans on the hard disk drives during inactive periods and automatically remaps bad sectors, ensuring data integrity.
• Smart Array Cache Tracking monitors integrity of controller cache, allowing pre-failure preventative maintenance.
• Environment Tracking for External Storage System: Monitors fan speed and cabinet temperature of Modular Smart Array Enclosures.

Fault Recovery

Minimizes downtime, reconstructs data, and facilitates a quick recovery from drive failure

• Recovery ROM: This feature provides unique redundancy that protects from a ROM image corruption. A new version of firmware can be flashed to the ROM while the controller maintains the last known working version of firmware. If the firmware becomes corrupt, the controller will revert back to the previous version of firmware and continue operating. This reduces the risk of flashing firmware to the controller.
• On-Line Spares: There is no limit to the number of spare drives that can be installed prior to drive failure. If a failure occurs, recovery begins with an On-Line Spare and data is reconstructed automatically.
• DRAM ECC corrects against single bit data and address corruption.

Consistency and Upgradeability make the Smart Array family unique in the industry:

• GUI based configuration, management and diagnostic software tools
• Common data format between generations of products
• Data migration between servers and external Modular Smart Array enclosures

Warranty Upgrade Options

• Response - Upgrade on-site response from next business day to same day 4 hours
• Coverage - Extend hours of coverage from 9 hours x 5 days to 24 hours x 7 days
• Duration - Select duration of coverage for a period of 1, 3, or 5 years
• Warranty upgrade options can come in the form of Care Packs, which are sold at the HP System level this product attaches too

• Provides the basic management features of system discovery and identification, single-event view, inventory data collection, and reporting
• Monitors over 1200 system wide parameters
• Smart Array performance monitoring
• Smart Array drive fault prediction

• Powerful Web based configuration utility for all Smart Array controllers
• Provides a graphical view of HP drive array configurations
• Allows for management of multiple arrays over a secure Internet connection from anywhere in the world
• Easy to use Wizards for configuration
• Command line interface (ACU-CLI) also available
• Runs offline for all supported operating systems
• Runs online on Windows and linux
• For online configuration on NetWare, use CPQONLIN

• Menu-based configuration utility specifically for servers using Novell NetWare

• ROM-based utility accessed by pressing F8 during system power up
• View, create, and delete arrays and logical volumes and assign an online spare drive
• Select the boot controller
• For more advanced array configurations, use ACU

• In depth diagnostic and reporting utility for all Smart Array controllers
• Integrated with ACU
• Runs offline for all supported operating systems
• Runs online for Windows and Linux

• Provides event notification to the Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 system event log and HP ProLiant integrated management log

• RAID 6 (Advanced Data Guarding) protects against failure of any two drives. RAID 6 requires a minimum of four drives. ADG can tolerate multiple simultaneous drive failures without downtime or data loss and is ideal for applications requiring large logical volumes, because it can safely protect a single volume of up to 56 disk drives. RAID 6 also offers lower implementation costs and greater usable capacity per U than RAID 1.
• RAID 60 (RAID 6+0) allows administrators to split the RAID 6 storage across multiple external boxes. RAID 60 requires a minimum of eight drives. RAID 60 is a nested RAID method that uses RAID 0 block-level striping across multiple RAID 6 arrays with dual distributed parity. With the inclusion of dual parity, RAID 60 will tolerate the failure of two disks in each spanned array without loss of data.
• Advanced Capacity Expansion automates higher capacity migration using capacity transformation to remove logical drives by shrinking and then expanding them online. Standard drive migration and expansion remain unchanged.
• Mirror Splitting and Recombining. Mirror splitting is a task that splits an array with one or more RAID 1 or RAID 1+0 logical drives into two identical new arrays with RAID 0 logical drives. This is useful for administrators who want to replicate a configuration or need to build a backup before performing a risky operation. Using the ACU, administrators can also recombine a split mirrored array.
• Drive Erase completely erases physical disks or logical volumes. This capability is useful when decommissioning, redeploying, or returning hard drives. Provides three patterns:
  • One pass erase: Write zeros
  • Two pass erase: Write random data, then zeros
  • Three pass erase: Write random data, random data, then zeros
• Video On Demand Performance Optimization optimizes performance of video on demand and improves latency during video streaming. Provides controls for:
  • RAID 6/60 Alternate Inconsistency Repair Policy
  • RAID 5/6/50/60 Degraded Mode Performance Optimization
  • Physical Drive Request Elevator Sort
  • Monitor and Performance Analysis Delay
  • Maximum Drive Request Queue Depth

• Services for customers purchasing from HP or an enterprise reseller are quoted using HP order configuration tools.
• Customers purchasing from a commercial reseller can find HP Care Pack Services at http://www.hp.com/go/lookuptool

• Help improve or maintain system uptime
• Convenient onsite support
• Committed response time

3-Year HP Hardware Support Onsite Service, 4-hour response, 24x7
Provides you with rapid remote support and if required an HP authorized representative who will arrive on site any time and day of the year to begin hardware maintenance service within 4 hours of the service request being logged.

This service provides a trained HP service specialist to perform an installation that meets HP quality standards, for:

• Help improve or maintain system uptime
• Convenient onsite support
• Committed response time

http://h20195.www2.hp.com/V2/GetPDF.aspx/5982-6547EEE

HP Installation and Startup of HP ProLiant Servers
Provides for the installation of your new HP ProLiant server and operating system to assist you in bringing your new HP ProLiant server and operating system into operation in a timely and professional manner.

This service provides a trained HP service specialist to perform an installation that meets HP quality standards, for:

• Delivery of the service at a mutually scheduled time convenient to your organization
• Availability of an HP service specialist to answer basic questions during the onsite delivery of this service
• Custom installation as detailed in "Delivery specifications" or in a Statement of Work (SOW)
• Verification prior to installation that all service prerequisites are met

http://h20195.www2.hp.com/V2/GetPDF.aspx/5982?7572ENN

3-Year HP Support Plus 24
As an alternative to our recommended support level, for customers who need access to responsive 24x7 hardware and software support plus software updates on HP and selected third party products:

For a higher return on your server and storage technology, our 3-year combined reactive support service delivers integrated onsite hardware/software support services available 24x7x365, including access to HP technical resources, 4-hour response onsite hardware support and software updates.

http://h20195.www2.hp.com/V2/GetPDF.aspx/5981-6638EEE

HP Proactive Select Service
Customer needs on demand access to consulting, technical proactive services and education courses

Provides a flexible way to purchase HP best-in-class consultancy and technical services. You can buy Proactive Select Service Credits when you purchase your hardware and then use the credits over the next 12 months.

http://h20195.www2.hp.com/V2/GetPDF.aspx/4AA2-3842ENN

HP eSupport is a portfolio of technology-based services that assist you with managing your business environment - from the desktop to the data center.

Support Portal
The HP support portal provides one-stop access to the information, tools and services you need to manage the daily operations of your IT environment.

Features include:

• Access to self-solve tools (including search technical knowledge base)
• Efficient logging and tracking of support cases
• Collaboration with other business and IT professionals
• Download of patches and drivers
• Access to diagnostic tools
• Proactive notification of relevant information

Access to certain features of the support portal requires an HP service agreement. To access the support portal, visit: http://www.hp.com/support

HP Insight Remote Support software delivers secure remote support for your HP Servers and Storage, 24 X 7, so you can spend less time solving problems and more time focused on your business. You can have your systems remotely monitored for hardware failure using secure technology that's been proven at thousands of companies around the world. In many cases, you can avoid problems before they occur.

In today's cost-conscious business environment, IT professionals, developers, consultants and users face an interesting challenge: how to keep up with the latest technologies and expand important skills while delivering profitable results on current projects. To help address this challenge, HP offers innovative training solutions that help keep you up-to-date on virtualization, server, storage, Insight Control, Citrix, Microsoft® and open source/Linux-related topics-while spending less time away from business-critical activities.

HP Technology Services continues to be recognized for service and support excellence by customers, partners, industry organizations and publications around the world. Recent honors and award reflect our services team's dedications, technical expertise, professionalism and uncompromising commitment to customer satisfaction.

To learn more on HP ProLiant servers, HP BladeSystem servers and HP storage products, please contact your HP sales representative or HP Authorized Channel Partner. Or visit: www.hp.com/services/proliant or www.hp.com/services/bladesystem or http://www.hp.com/hps/storage

© Copyright 2011 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.

The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

For hard drives, 1GB = 1 billion bytes. Actual formatted capacity is less.