| Q1. |
Why is HP offering the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A1. |
HP realizes the importance of common platforms in the enterprise and is simplifying our product offerings for our customers. Commonality, reduced complexity, and reduced risk help to form the basic building blocks of the HP vision of storage as a utility. HP is committed to providing the latest technology to improve enterprise performance: the new Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure provides the latest technology and increases the maximum data transfer rates from 160 MB/sec to 320 MB/sec. |
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| Q2. |
Why should customers purchase the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A2. |
For increased storage performance and investment protection. At HP, we realize the storage enclosure is a key storage building block for your current and future data center. That is why the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure undergoes extensive testing and qualification to ensure the highest level of reliability, compatibility and interoperability. |
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| Q3. |
What is the difference between the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure and the current StorageWorks Enclosure 4300? |
| A3. |
The difference is the SCSI protocol supported by the I/O module. The Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Family supports data transfer rates up to 320 MB/s (Ultra320). The Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Family supports data transfer rates up to 160 MB/s (Ultra3). |
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| Q4. |
Can I upgrade my existing StorageWorks Enclosure 4300 to the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A4. |
Yes, upgrading the StorageWorks Enclosure 4300 to the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure takes less then 5 minutes and is as easy as swapping out the I/O module on the back of the unit. The I/O module is warm-swappable; during the upgrade, power to the unit can remain on, but all I/O operations must be stopped to ensure no data loss or corruption. |
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| Q5. |
How do I upgrade my existing StorageWorks Enclosure 4300 to Ultra3? |
| A5. |
First, ensure all I/O operations are stopped to ensure no data is lost or corrupted during the upgrade. Second, pull the Ultra3 I/O module out of the back of the unit. Then insert the Ultra320 I/O module into the back of the unit. |
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| Q6. |
Can I achieve Ultra320 data transfer rates using the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure and an Ultra3 controller or adapter? |
| A6. |
No. To achieve maximum transfer rates up to 320 MB/s, you need three key components. First, you need a Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure or you need to upgrade your existing StorageWorks Enclosure 4300 with an Ultra320 I/O module. Second, you need to have the storage enclosure connected to an Ultra320 adapter or Smart Array controller. Third, you need to have Ultra320 Universal disk drives installed in the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure. |
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| Q7. |
What does it mean to mix and match Ultra2, Ultra3 and Ultra320 drives on the same SCSI bus? |
| A7. |
All Ultra320 devices from HP are compatible with previous Ultra2 and Ultra3 devices so that customers can mix and match components in the same storage enclosure or server. When Ultra2 devices, Ultra3 devices and Ultra320 devices are found on the same Ultra320 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, and each Ultra320 device will transfer data up to 320MB/s. |
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| Q8. |
Is it safe to hot-plug the power cord of the power supply on the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A8. |
Yes. Power can be turned on or off by plugging or unplugging the power cord directly from the power supply of the enclosure. The power cord uses an IEC (International Electromechanical Commission) connector at the power supply to ensure safe removal. The IEC connector has a plastic shield that prevents any physical access to the contacts. This provides maximum safety when powering up or powering down the enclosure. |
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| Q9. |
What procedures does HP recommend to remove power from the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A9. |
Although not required, HP strongly recommends using a HP UPS (Uninterruptible Power System) in conjunction with any server or storage products. This allows for a graceful shutdown of the server or enclosure. It is also recommended to plug the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosures into one load segment and servers into a different load segment on the UPS. This allows for the enclosures to be powered off while maintaining power to the servers and other equipment within the environment. To learn more about HP UPS's and load segment control visit www.compaq.com/ups. |
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| Q10. |
How are upgrades and maintenance performed on the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A10. |
The Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure is designed to allow upgrades and most maintenance to be performed with the power on. Drives, power supplies, fans and the EMU (Environmental Monitoring Unit) are hot pluggable - they can be removed and replaced without powering off the enclosure. The I/O module is warm-pluggable: power can remain on but all I/O operations need to be stopped to ensure no data is lost during the upgrade. Maintenance on the drive backplane of the enclosure does not require that the power is turned off. |
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| Q11. |
Are drives included in the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosures? |
| A11. |
No, drives must be ordered separately. |
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| Q12. |
Can I move my existing SBB's into the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A12. |
No. The Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure supports the new universal drive carrier only. The drive carriers, electrical interfaces and backplane are different. This precludes mixing and matching current and new components in a common enclosure. |
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| Q13. |
Can I change a single bus enclosure to a dual bus enclosure or 4-port module and vice versa? |
| A13. |
Yes. It's a simple matter of replacing the I/O module. The Ultra320 single, dual bus, and 4-port modules are available as option kits. |
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| Q14. |
In which rack cabinets can I install the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A14. |
The Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure can be mounted in any HP rack cabinet including: the Rack 4000 Series, Rack 7000 Series, Rack 9000 Series, Rack 10000 Series and Marque (top gun blue) rack cabinets. There are also a number of legacy HP and Compaq racks that are supported please refer to the Quick specs for a detailed list. |
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| Q15. |
Is it necessary to have comparable amounts of GB in each drive slot of the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A15. |
Controllers read the lowest common GB amount on each drive. If you have 18GB, 36GB and 72GB drives in a stripe set the controller reads all disk drives as 18GB. |
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| Ideal Environment Questions |
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| Q1. |
Who are the target customers for the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Family? |
| A1. |
The Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Family is targeted toward data center, departmental and workgroup server users who need a flexible, universal storage enclosure that utilizes a common storage building block for their current and future data center. |
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| Q2. |
What key applications is the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Family intended for? |
| A2. |
The Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Family is intended for any data center or departmental server environments delivering business critical data and applications that require fast throughput with high availability of redundant components, hot-pluggable replacement of critical elements, excellent serviceability and large storage capacity. |
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| HP Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Models MSA30 SB , MSA30 DB, and MSA30 MI |
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| Q1. |
What is the difference between model MSA30 SB and MSA30 DB? |
| A1. |
Model MSA30 SB is a rack-mount 14-drive single bus, dual power supply enclosure. Model MSA30 DB is a rack-mount 14-drive dual bus, dual power supply enclosure. Model MSA30 DB is a rack-mount 14-drive 4-port module, dual power supply enclosure. |
| Q2. |
What hard disk drives are supported by the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Models MSA30 SB, MSA30 DB, and MSA30 MI? |
| A2. |
The Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure models MSA30 SB and MSA30 DB support all HP Ultra2 (LVD), Ultra3 (LVD) and Ultra320 (LVD) Universal (1-inch) 10K and 15K hot-pluggable hard disk drives. |
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| Q3. |
Can I use a 1.6-inch drive in models MSA30 SB, MSA30 DB, MSA30 MI? |
| A3. |
No. Models MSA30 SB ,MSA30 DB, MSA30 MI only support 1-inch disk drives. |
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| Q4. |
Why is there no tower version of the Modular Smart Array Enclosures? |
| A4. |
As many data center customers have moved to a racked storage environment it was determined that there is a smaller and smaller market for tower storage enclosures. For customers still interested in a smaller tower-like solution, HP offers a 14U rack that will easily hold a server or workstation, a Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure and optional PDU, UPS, KVM. |
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