| General |
| Q1. |
What Smart Array 5300 Controller enhancements are being announced on January 22, 2001? |
| A1. |
This announcement introduces several enhancements to the Smart Array 5300 Controller and two new options for the controllers. The enhancements include the addition for Advanced Data Guarding and Recovery ROM functionality and support for Universal Hot Plug Universal Tape drives which are also being announced in the January 22nd, 2001 announcement. New controller options include 128MB Battery Backed Cache module and Advanced Data Guarding. |
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| Q2. |
What is the primary problem solved by Advanced Data Guarding? |
| A2. |
As storage capacities continue to rapidly expand, customers need greater level of disk drive fault protection which can be implemented without doubling the investment in disk drives or a new storage infrastructure. Currently, RAID 5 is only recommended to protect up to 14 disk drives in an array. RAID 1 provides greater fault protection, but requires every drive to be mirrored and is too costly for most customers to implement on large RAID volumes. Customers want the protection of RAID 1 or better with an implementation cost similar to RAID 5. |
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| Q3. |
How is this problem addressed with Advanced Data Guarding? |
| A3. |
With Advanced Data Guarding (RAID ADG), customer can safely and economically protect a RAID volume up to 2 TB and a total of 56 disk drives. RAID ADG offers fault protection greater that RAID 1 or RAID 5 and only consumes the capacity of 2 disk drives for distributed parity data. |
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| Q4. |
What is the maximum RAID volume that can be configured with the Smart Array 5300 Controller? |
| A4. |
The Smart Array 5300 controller has been enhanced to provide support of up to 2 TB RAID volumes under some operating systems including Windows 2000 and NT 4.0. It is possible to configure a 4-channel controller with a maximum of fifty-six 36.4 GB hard disk drives for a total of 2.0 TB of storage. With RAID ADG, this entire storage array can be configured as a single RAID volume only requiring the capacity equal to two disk drives for RAID protection. |
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| Q5. |
How can Advanced Data Guarding be obtained for the Smart Array 5300 Controller? |
| A5. |
For customers of Smart Array 5304/128 Controller, Advanced Data Guarding is a standard feature and is included when purchased. Customers purchasing a SA-5304/128 prior to this feature becoming available can receive the latest firmware version to activate this functionality.
For customers of Smart Array 5302/64 (retired), Advanced Data Guarding is an upgrade and can be purchased through Compaq's normal channels and through the Small and Medium Business Online Store
(Part Number 199371-B21).
For customers of Smart Array 5302/32 Controller (retired), customers must also upgrade the cache to 128 MB (Part Number 153506-B21) for Advanced Data Guarding to be supported. Both the 128 MB Cache module and Advanced Data Guarding are available through Compaq's normal channels
and through Compaq Direct Plus Internet store. |
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| Q6. |
Is Advanced Data Guarding available with all Smart Array 5300 controllers? |
| A6. |
No. Advanced Data Guarding is only supported on controllers with 64 MB of controller cache or greater. The SA5302/32 (retired) only has 32 MB of cache and will not support this feature unless the controller cache is upgraded. Once the cache memory in increased it can also be upgraded to include Advanced Data Guarding. ADG is offered as a standard feature to the SA5304/128 and is an upgrade
feature for all other models. |
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| Q7. |
What is the primary problem solved by Recovery ROM? |
| A7. |
The Smart Array Controller firmware is stored on the controller ROM and can be updated by flashing the ROM with a new version of the firmware. During the controller ROM flash process, it is possible for a problem to occur resulting in corruption of the controller firmware. A corrupted firmware in the
controller ROM would make the controller inoperable and bring the system down. |
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| Q8. |
How is this problem addressed with Recovery ROM? |
| A8. |
Recovery ROM provides a unique redundancy feature that helps ensure against controller availability. During the flash process, a new version of the 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 last known version of firmware and continue operating. This reduces the risk of flashing new firmware to the controller. |
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| Q9. |
Which tape drives are supported by the Smart Array 5300 Controller? |
| A9. |
The SA5300 now supports Compaq Universal Hot Plug Tape drives. There are three models available at announcement which includes: AIT 50 GB (part # 215488-B21); AIT 35 GB(part # 216886-B21); and 20/40-GB DLT (Part # 215487-B21). |
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| Q10. |
Is online capacity extension supported? |
| A10. |
Yes. With the new updates to the Smart Array 5300 Controller it now includes online capacity extension. |
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| Q11. |
How can I determine if my controller supports these new features? |
| A11. |
These new features are supported in controllers firmware v1.60 or later and drivers and ACU Software provided with the Smart Array Support Software v4.94 or in Smart Start 5.00. The controller firmware version number is reported during system boot and can also be checked by running Array Configuration Utility (ACU). In ACU, you need to select or highlight the controller and click the "More Information" button. This will display the firmware version and other controller information. |
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| Q12. |
How can the new features be obtained in my Smart Array 5300 Controller? |
| A12. |
Obtain updated controller firmware, drivers and ACU Software. |
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| Q13. |
How can the 128 MB Battery-Backed Cache module be obtained? |
| A13. |
The 128 MB Battery-Backed Cache Module (153506-B21) can be purchased through Compaq's normal channels and through Compaq Direct Plus Internet store. |
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| Q14. |
Does 128 MB cache module replace my existing controller cache module? |
| A14. |
Yes. The Smart Array 5300 Controller offers one socket which holds a 32 MB, 64 MB or 128 MB cache module. To upgrade from 32 MB or 64 MB cache, that cache module must be removed and replaced with the 128 MB cache module. |
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| Q15. |
What is the part number for the 128 MB Battery-Backed Cache Module? |
| A15. |
The part number for the 128 MB Battery-Backed Cache Module is 153506-B21. |
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| Q16. |
What is the part number for Advanced Data Guarding Module? |
| A16. |
The part number for Advanced Data Guarding Module is 199371-B21. |
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| Q17. |
Who is the target customer for the SA5300 controller? |
| A17. |
The SA5300 is targeted at customers of ProLiant workgroup and departmental servers. |
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| Q18. |
Why should ProLiant customers consider a Smart Array controller? |
| A18. |
An array controller offers two primary benefits:
- fault protection of data
- increased system performance
Specifically, a Smart Array controller provides real-time data recovery when a hard drive fails, increasing system uptime and network availability while protecting against loss of data. In addition, multiple drives working together also increases system performance. The level of fault tolerance and performance is dependent upon the features and hardware components of each RAID controller. |
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| Q19. |
Where does the Smart Array 5300 controller fit in the Compaq family of array controllers? |
| A19. |
The Smart Array 5300 is the premier Smart Array controller, offering many unique features and advanced components not found in other array controllers. This controller offers the highest performance, high capacity, an advanced level of fault protection, and a high level of modular upgradeability. |
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| Q20. |
What are the differences between the Smart Array 5300 and the Smart Array 3200 or Smart Array 4200 controllers? |
| A20. |
There are a number of differences. Here are the most significant:
- New modular design allowing customers to choose the number of channels and amount of cache memory that is ideal for them
- New advanced RAID level for increase data protection and higher capacity utilization
- Improved performance due to new architectural improvements including a new RAID engine and new performance memory architecture
- New cache memory design offering redundant and replaceable batteries
- Increased bandwidth
- Future upgrade option provides access to the Open SAN
|
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| Q21. |
Does the Smart Array 5300 replace any other Smart Array controllers? |
| A21. |
Yes. The SA5300 will functionally replace the SA3200 and the SA4200. The SA3200 is planned to be discontinued six months following the introduction of the SA5300. The SA-4200 will continue to be available into the year 2001. |
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| Q22. |
Can additional channels be added to the Smart Array 5300? |
| A22. |
Yes. For models SA5302/64 (retired) and SA5302/32 (retired) Compaq will be offering a daughter card that adds 2 additional Ultra3 SCSI channel that can be used to connect to external disk drives. This daughter card will be sold as an option to the 2 channel controllers and as a standard feature of the SA5304/128. |
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| Q23. |
What cache size options are available for the Smart Array 5300 controller? |
| A23. |
The are 3 cache sizes available-128 MB, 64 MB, and 32 MB. Each of the standard controller models features each of the cache sizes. In addition, customers who purchase a SA5300 controller with 32 or 64 MB of cache will be able to upgrade to 128 MB of cache through an option kit available through Compaq's standard channels. |
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| Q24. |
Can additional feature(s) be added the Smart Array 5300 controller? |
| A24. |
Yes. The new advanced RAID level - Advanced Data Guarding (RAID ADG) is available as an option to the SA-5302/32 (retired) and SA-5302/64 (retired) controllers and will be a standard feature with the SA-5304/128 controller. RAID ADG will be activated by a hardware component that will is sold as an option for the 2 channel controllers.
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| Advanced Data Guarding |
| Q1. |
What does the abbreviation RAID ADG mean? |
| A1. |
ADG is an abbreviation for Advanced Data Guarding - the formal name for this level of RAID. |
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| Q2. |
What is RAID ADG? |
| A2. |
RAID ADG is essentially an extension of RAID level 5, which allows for additional fault tolerance by using a second independent distributed parity scheme. Data is striped across a set of drives, just like in RAID 5, and a second set of parity is calculated and written across all the drives. RAID ADG provides for an extremely high data fault tolerance and can sustain multiple simultaneous drive failures. This is a perfect solution when data is mission critical. |
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| Q3. |
When should customers use RAID ADG? |
| A3. |
- When a higher level of fault protection than RAID 5 is required and high capacity utilization is desired.
- When a higher level of capacity utilization than RAID 1 or RAID 0+1 is required and maintaining a higher level of fault protection is desired.
- When customers require a large RAID volume incorporating between 10 and up to 56 disk drives.
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| Q4. |
What is the difference between RAID ADG and RAID 1? |
| A4. |
RAID ADG offers a lower implementation cost and higher capacity utilization for 5 drives or more. RAID ADG requires the capacity of two drives for fault tolerance for any size disk array. In addition, RAID ADG provides a higher level of fault tolerance due to the probability of RAID 1 suffering a second drive failure in the same mirror set as the first drive failure is higher than a third drive failure in a RAID ADG set. RAID 1 provides the highest possible RAID performance. |
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| Q5. |
What is the difference between RAID ADG and RAID 5? |
| A5. |
RAID ADG provides a much higher level of fault tolerance than RAID 5. RAID ADG allows two simultaneous drive failures without down time or data loss. RAID 5 only allows 1 drive failure. Due to this added protection, users can set up larger RAID volumes spanning up to 56 disk drives. RAID 5 is recommended to protect up to only 14 drives per volume. RAID ADG has equal performance to RAID 5 when reading data but is slower when writing data due to the extra parity data that RAID ADG writes. Exact performance difference between RAID ADG and RAID 5 will vary because performance is dependent upon a number of factors. |
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| Q6. |
On which models of Smart Array will RAID ADG be available? |
| A6. |
RAID ADG will be available with model SA5304/128. RAID ADG will also be available as an option for customers of the SA5302/32 (retired) and SA5302/64 (retired). |
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| Q7. |
Does RAID ADG support Online Spares? |
| A7. |
Yes. Customers can incorporate Online Spares with RAID ADG for added data protection. |
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| Q8. |
How is RAID ADG activated? |
| A8. |
RAID ADG is activated through a hardware key referred to as Advanced Data Guarding Activation Module (ADAM). The SA5304/128 will be configured with this module in place and it can be added to the other SA5300 controller models as an option. This module attaches to the SA5300 controller and interfaces with the controller firmware and software to allow RAID ADG to be configured and run. If this ADAM Module is missing RAID ADG configuration is disabled. |
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| Performance/Bandwidth |
| Q1. |
What architecture enhancements have been made to increase performance of the Smart Array 5300 controller? |
| A1. |
There are two significant performance enhancements that were made to the architecture of the SA5300 controller.
- A new RAID engine. This new engine calculates the parity data used for fault tolerance in RAID 5 and RAID ADG operations. Due to the increased processing capability, customers will see big performance improvements for those RAID levels.
- A new memory architecture. This new architecture offers for tri-directional data flow in and out of the controller memory, improving the amount of data the controller can move between memory and the disk drives. This performance improvement will increase performance in all RAID levels as the controller workload increases.
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| Q2. |
What improvements have been made to increase bandwidth of the Smart Array 5300 controller? |
| A2. |
The SA5300 has increased the bandwidth 1) between the controller and the disk drives, and 2) between the controller and the server. These increased bandwidths are due to the introduction of Ultra3 SCSI and 64-bit/66 Mhz PCI. Ultra3 provides up to 160 MB/sec per channel bandwidth. With a total of four channels
the controller can supports 640 MB/sec total SCSI bandwidth. The new PCI interface support up to 533 MB/sec transfer rate to the server. |
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| Q3. |
Where will customers see the most significant performance improvements over previous Smart Array Controllers? |
| A3. |
Customers will see the most significant performance increases in RAID 5, due to the new RAID engine that calculates the RAID 5 and RAID ADG parity information. Although performance may vary based upon server configuration, application, workload and other variables, Compaq has been able to produce up to 300% performance increase over the SA4200 in a RAID 5 configuration. Customers should also see performance increases in other RAID levels due to the new performance memory architecture. |
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| Cache Memory |
| Q1. |
Does the Smart Array 5300 have battery-backed cache? |
| A1. |
Yes, the Smart Array 5300 has an innovative and unique implementation of battery-backed cache. 1) In the event of a controller failure or server failure, the Smart Array cache can be removed from the SA5300 controller and placed on another SA5300 controller board; the cached data will be flushed to the disk drives. 2) The cache batteries provide up to 4 days of battery life. 3) In addition, this innovative design offers redundant and replaceable battery packs for increased data protection and better serviceability. |
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| Q2. |
How is the implementation of battery backing of cache unique? |
| A2. |
The Smart Array 5300 will introduce customers to redundant battery packs, which are individually replaceable without tools. There will be no need to replace the entire cache board when replacing batteries. |
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| Q3. |
Can the new 128 MB cache be used on the Smart Array 4200 or Smart Array 3200? |
| A3. |
The socket into which the cache fits has changed with the new SA5300 controller. The SA5300 128 MB cache module will not work on previous generation of controllers, nor can older cache modules be placed upon the SA5300 controllers. |
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| Q4. |
Will the SA5300 support standard server DIMM memory? |
| A4. |
No. The controller DIMM socket is not designed to accommodate standard DIMM memory because standard server memory DIMM is not battery backed up and does not meet fault tolerant standards for a RAID controller. |
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| Q5. |
What kind of performance difference will I see from different cache sizes? |
| A5. |
Many industry standard benchmark test do not show appreciable differences between 32, 64, and 128 MB of controller cache because they place a maximum workload on the controller and quickly saturate the cache, not allowing it an opportunity to flush. Because the benchmarks do not vary their workloads, allowing the cache to flush during low load periods, it is difficult to measure the performance impact of various cache sizes. Compaq is currently working to create benchmarks that demonstrate the performance impact of cache. |
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| Q6. |
Why is Compaq offering multiple cache sizes? |
| A6. |
Compaq is responding to customer request for higher and lower cache sizes: 32, 64 and 128 MB cache. Because not all computing environments will see performance benefits from higher amount of controller cache, we now offer a 32 MB cache module that offers a moderate amount of cache on a high performance controller at a low cost. For customers with computing environments that will benefit from increased cache, we now offer 128MB of cache. |
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| Technical |
| Q1. |
Can other Smart Array controllers be easily upgraded to the Smart Array 5300? |
| A1. |
Yes, this is the Smart Array Advantage! Upon reaching the limitation of the SMART-2SL, SMART-2DH, SA221, SA3200, SA4200, or the SA431 customers can easily replace them with the SA5300 to increase data performance, data availability and data capacity. Just upgrading the firmware, shut down the server, replace the old controller with the new controller, and the new array controller will seamlessly recognize the disk drives, RAID configuration and data. It's that simple. |
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| Q2. |
How many disk drives will the Smart Array 5300 support? |
| A2. |
Up to 14 drives per channel - for a total of 56 disk drives on the 4-channel model and up to 28 disk drives on the 2-channel model. This is based upon utilizing the StorageWorks Enclosure 4214 or 4314 that supports 14 disk drives per enclosure. |
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| Q3. |
Will the Smart Array 5300 support both internal and external disk drives at the same time? |
| A3. |
Yes. The SA5302 (retired) controller has two internal and two external SCSI connectors to support both internal and external drives. Each channel shares an internal and external connector. For each SCSI channel, you can choose to use the internal connector or external connector, but you cannot use the same internal and external channels at the same time. The 4-channel model (SA5304/128) adds two additional external channels. |
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| Q4. |
Which servers will the Smart Array 5300 support? |
| A4. |
As of 11 September 2000, the SA5300 will support all currently shipping ProLiant servers and many older models. |
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| Q5. |
Which operating systems will the Smart Array 5300 support? |
| A5. |
SA5300 will support these operating systems: Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Novell NetWare 4.x, 5.x, SCO OpenServer 5.04, 5.05, UnixWare 7.1.x, Linux, IBM OS/2 Warp Server 4*, OS/2 Warp Server for e-Business*, and Sun Solaris for X86*.
(* OS will be supported following the announcement) |
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| Q6. |
Which SCSI disk drives does the Smart Array 5300 controller support? |
| A6. |
The SA5300 supports Compaq hot plug and non-hot plug Ultra3, Ultra2, and Wide Ultra SCSI drives. |
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| Q7. |
Which disk drive enclosures does the Smart Array 5300 controller support? |
| A7. |
The SA5300 supports the StorageWorks Enclosure 4314, 4354, 4214, and 4254. In addition, it will support the ProLiant Storage System U2 and UE. |
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| Q8. |
What connectors are on the Smart Array 5300 controller? |
| A8. |
The SA5300 controller uses Very High Density Cable Interconnects (VHDCI) for the external SCSI buses and high density 68-pin connector for internal SCSI buses. The same connectors found on the StorageWorks Enclosure 4214 and 4314. |
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| Software |
| Q1. |
Does the Smart Array 5300 controller use the same configuration utilities and management software as the other Smart Array controllers? |
| A1. |
Yes, this is the Smart Array Advantage. All Smart Array controllers use the same configuration utility (ACU), diagnostic (ADU) and management software (Compaq Insight Manager) as the entire Smart Array family of products. In addition, the SA5300 and SA431 also provide Options ROM Configuration for Arrays (ORCA) that allows a simplified configuration tool at the time of controller boot. |
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| Q2. |
How can I obtain driver support for my Smart Array 5300 controller? |
| A2. |
Device drivers are provided with the support software shipped with the Smart Array controller. In addition, you can also find drivers on SmartStart CD version 4.90 or later and drivers will also be available from www.hp.com. |
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| Q3. |
Will the Smart Array 5300 controller support servers with greater than 4 GB of server memory? |
| A3. |
Yes, the Smart Array 5300 offers 64-bit memory addressing! The SA5300 is the first Smart Array controller to provide this support. |
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| Q4. |
Are Ultra2 and Ultra3 compatible? |
| A4. |
Yes! Because Ultra2 and Ultra3 both operate on the Low Voltage Differential (LVD) electrical platform, the two protocols are completely data compatible. All Compaq Wide Ultra2 and Wide Ultra3 controllers are compatible with Ultra2 and Ultra3 hard drives and servers. |
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| Q5. |
What is LVD? |
| A5. |
Low-Voltage Differential (LVD) SCSI is an electrical platform for SCSI protocols. Ultra2 was the first protocol to reside on a LVD platform, followed by Ultra3. The LVD electrical platform enables Ultra2 and Ultra3 protocols to reach the higher bandwidths that previous SCSI protocols could not achieve on the single-ended electrical platform. |
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| Q6. |
What is Compaq's LVD strategy and what is the significance for Compaq customers? |
| A6. |
The Compaq LVD strategy is a simple investment protection message for customers who are currently buying and will continue to purchase Ultra2 servers and storage enclosures. Compaq LVD customers can purchase Compaq's new Ultra3 products as they become available, and all their Ultra2 and Ultra3 products will interoperate on the same SCSI channel, in the same server or in the same storage enclosure. |
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| Q7. |
What happens when Ultra3 and Ultra2 are on the same SCSI bus? |
| A7. |
When Ultra3 devices and Ultra2 devices are found on the same Ultra3 SCSI bus, the Ultra3 devices will transfer data up to 160 MB/sec, while the Ultra2 devices will transfer data up to 80 MB/sec. If the SCSI bus is only capable of supporting Ultra2, all LVD devices will have a maximum ceiling transfer of 80 MB/sec. |
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| Q8. |
What is the part number for the new Compaq Smart Array 5300 controller? |
| A8. |
There are three models. For model SA5302/32 (retired) order P/N 166207-B21 or -291, for model SA5302/64 (retired) order P/N 124992-B21 or -291, for model SA5304/128 order P/N 158939-B21 or -291. |
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| Q9. |
What is included with the Smart Array 5300 controller option kit? |
| A9. |
The option kit includes the following:
- (1) SA5300 controller
- (1) ECC protected, battery-back cache board - (32 MB, 64 MB or 128 MB depending upon model ordered)
- (1) SA5300 Support Software Pack version 4.81 or later
- (1) Storage and Options Documentation Library
- (1) Installation and user guides
- (1) Installation Poster
- Model SA5304/128 also receives:
- (1) Ultra3 SCSI 2-Channel Expansion Module
- (1) Advanced Data Guarding Activation Module
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