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Smart Array 5i plus controller

 

Product information

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Overview

The new Smart Array 5i Plus Controller is an intelligent array controller for entry-level, hardware-based fault tolerance for protection of OS, applications, and logs. Dual Ultra3 SCSI channels (one internal and one external) allow you to support all Ultra2 and/or Ultra3 SCSI internal hard disk drives as well as support up to 14 Ultra2 and/or Ultra3 SCSI external hard disk drives using the StorageWorks™ Enclosure 4300 Family by Compaq. The Smart Array 5i Plus controller provides one of the most cost effective alternatives to software-based RAID in the market today.

Ideal environment

The Smart Array 5i Plus Controller offers excellent investment protection for ProLliant DL 580 G2, ProLiant DL380 G2 and ProLiant ML370 G2 customers in the following environments:

Non-RAID: Current storage operations where, until now, there has not been a perceived need for data protection, security, or performance gains.

Software RAID: Current storage operations using software RAID where growing data storage requirements demand the robustness, efficiency, and performance increases available with entry-level hardware RAID

Customer Problem

  • Entry-level hardware-based RAID fault tolerance
  • Investment protection in legacy Ultra2 hard disk drives

    Typical Use

  • Dual Ultra3 SCSI channels allow for the user to use the one internal SCSI channel for the OS, applications and logs on the internal hard disk drives and the one external SCSI channel for small database storage using the StorageWorks Enclosure 4300.
  • Consistent with Compaq's LVD strategy, the Smart Array 5i Plus Controller can be used to mix and match Ultra2 and Ultra3 devices on the same Ultra3 SCSI bus. When Ultra2 devices and Ultra3 devices are found on the same Ultra3 SCSI bus, each Ultra2 device will transfer data up to 80 MB/s, while each Ultra3 device will transfer data up to 160 MB/s.

    Compaq Solves the Customer Problem

    Some ProLiant DL580 G2, ProLiant DL380 G2 and ProLiant ML370 G2 customers currently use software RAID or no RAID at all for their internal disk drives due to space constraints and price. This in return can be very problematic since software RAID is not very reliable and difficult to set up and no RAID protection can lead to data loss.

  • The Smart Array 5i Plus is a hardware RAID controller and therefore is more robust and easier to use then software-based RAID.
  • The Smart Array 5i Plus prevents data loss by offering hardware based RAID design. The reality or fear of data loss is omitted for the ProLiant DL380 G2 and ML370 G2 server users without consuming a PCI slot.

Model comparison

 
Smart Array 5i Plus Smart Array 5i Integrated Smart Array
Data Compatible with all Smart Array Controllers
Yes
Yes
Yes
Instant Upgrades to other Smart Array Controllers
Yes
Yes
Yes
Consistent Software Management Tools 1
Yes
Yes
Yes
PCI Bus
32-bit, 33 MHz
32-bit, 33 MHz
32-bit, 33 MHz
PCI Peak Data Transfer Rate
133MB/s
133MB/s
133MB/s
SCSI Protocol Support
Ultra3, Ultra2, Wide-Ultra
Ultra3, Ultra2, Wide-Ultra
Ultra2, Wide-Ultra
SCSI Peak Data Transfer Rate
160MB/s per channel
160MB/s per channel
80MB/s 3
Channels
2
2
13
SCSI Ports (External/Internal)
1/1
1/1
0/13
Drives Supported (Max)
212
212
4
Cache
64 MB of DRAM used for code, transfer buffers, and non-battery backed read cache
32 MB of DRAM used for code, transfer buffers, and non-battery backed read cache
16 MB of DRAM used for code, transfer buffers, and non-battery backed read cache
RAID Support
0, 1, 0+1, 5
0, 1, 0+1, 5
0, 1, 0+1, 5
Online Spare Support
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery Connector for BBWC Enabler
Yes
No5
No

Note 1: Upgrading from the Integrated Smart Array to the Smart Array 5i is not supported.
Note 2: Drives Supported (maximum) is based on use of Compaq StorageWorks Enclosure 4300 family (14 hard disk drive enclosure).
Note 3: For ProLiant servers having TWO internal drive bays on separate SCSI ports: SCSI Peak Data Transfer Rate is 160MB/s total; 80MB/s per channel and Channels is 2.
Note 4: Maximum is the total number of internal drives on each specific ProLiant server.
Note 5: The DL 360 G2 server is the only server which has a battery connector for the optional upgrade, the BBWC Enabler, for the Smart Array 5i controller.

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