| 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). |
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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 1320 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. |
I am considering implementing a SAN environment. Will I be able to move my hard disk drives and the data on them from the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure to the SAN? |
| A8. |
Yes, the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure utilizes a common storage platform allowing for storage consolidation to the SAN. The HP Universal hard disk drives allow data to be automatically and instantaneously recognized when an array of drives is moved from the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure to the RAID Array 4100 SAN Solution. |
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| Q9. |
How can I improve performance of the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A9. |
Although performance may vary based upon server configuration, application, workload and other variables, the performance of the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure has the potential to increase under the following circumstances:
- Upgrade to the latest, mainstream Smart Array controller, such as the Smart Array 6402 or Smart Array 6404.
- Migrate existing 10,000rpm hard disk drives to 15,000rpm hard disk drives.
- Ensure all the devices on the SCSI bus are Ultra320 components, including the controller/adapter, enclosure I/O module, and hard disk drives.
- If using a dual bus enclosure, place all Ultra2/Ultra3 hard disk drives on one SCSI bus (SCSI bus #1) and all Ultra320 hard disk drives on a separate SCSI bus (SCSI bus #2).
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| Q10. |
Is it safe to hot-plug the power cord of the power supply on the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A10. |
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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| Q11. |
What procedures does HP recommend to remove power from the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A11. |
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. Learn more about HP UPS's and load segment control. |
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| Q12. |
How are upgrades and maintenance performed on the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A12. |
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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| Q13. |
Will HP continue to offer the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Family? |
| A13. |
Yes. HP currently plans to offer the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Family into the year 2006. |
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| Q14. |
Will HP continue to offer the ProLiant Storage System UE/U2, BA356 and BA370? |
| A14. |
Yes, the Modular Smart Array 500 may be converted to a Modualr Smart Array 1000 SAN by simply replacing the controllers and I/O board. Refer to Modular Smart Array 500 QuickSpecs for specific part numbers. |
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| Q15. |
Can I configure my own storage solution using the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure family? |
| A15. |
Yes. You may use any model from the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure family to configure single or dual bus shelves in any Modular Storage Cabinet.
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| Q16. |
Are drives included in the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosures? |
| A16. |
No, drives must be ordered separately. |
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| Q17. |
Can I move my existing SBB's into the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A17. |
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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| Q18. |
Can I change a single bus enclosure to a dual bus enclosure and vice versa? |
| A18. |
Yes. It's a simple matter of replacing the I/O module. The Ultra320 single and dual bus modules are available as option kits. |
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| Q19. |
In which rack cabinets can I install the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A19. |
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. |
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| Q20 |
Is it necessary to have comparable amounts of GB in each drive slot of the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure? |
| A20. |
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 and MSA30 DB |
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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. |
| Q2. |
What hard disk drives are supported by the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure Models MSA30 SB and MSA30 DB? |
| A2. |
The Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure models MSA30 SB and MSA30 DB support all Compaq Ultra2 (LVD), Ultra3 (LVD) and Ultra320 (LVD) Universal (1-inch) 10K and 15K hot-pluggable hard disk drives. |
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| Q3. |
What array controllers and SCSI adapters will work with the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure models MSA30 SB and MSA30 DB? |
| A3. |
The following controllers and SCSI adapters will work with the Modular Smart Array 30 Enclosure models MSA30 SB and MSA30 DB:
- Ultra3 SCSI adapter
- Ultra320 SCSI adapter
- SA-5i/SA-5i+
- SA-532
- SA-5302/SA-5304
- SA-5312
- SA-642
- SA-6402/SA-6404
- 3X-KZPEA-DB
- 3X-KZPCA-AA
- 3X-DEPVZ-AA
- DS-KZPCC-AC/DS-KZPCC-CE
- 3X-KZPDC-xx/SA5302A/04A
- SA6402A/04A
- MSA1000
- HSG80 (MA8000, EMA12000, EMA16000)
- HSG60 (MA 6000)
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| Q4. |
Can I use a 1.6-inch drive in models MSA30 SB and MSA30 DB? |
| A4. |
No. Models MSA30 SB and MSA30 DB only support 1-inch disk drives. |
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| Q5. |
Why is there no tower version of the Modular Smart Array Enclosures? |
| A5. |
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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