Increasing HP RAID array size

bremen1874 · 6 May 2016 at 02:03

I look after a HP ML350 G6.

It was built with 7 x 146GB 2.5" 10K drives configured as RAID1 + RAID10 + shared hot spare. It's getting to the point where it needs some additional storage.

As it happens it has just had two drives replaced under warranty, both from of the RAID10 array, and the replacement drives are 300GB rather than 146GB.

I was thinking about replacing the other two RAID10 drives with 300GB versions plus a 300GB hot spare.

The plan would then be to expand the array to use the new space, and then either expand the existing partition or add a new one.

Does this seem possible/sensible? Is there anything nasty lurking in the background I should be aware of?

bremen1874 · 6 May 2016 at 16:13

It has a P410i with BBU so I should be okay.

I think I'll get the drives ordered and give it a try.

bremen1874 · 15 May 2016 at 02:36

Okay, I've replaced the 146GB drives with the 300GB versions and have added a 300 GB hot spare.

I've now got:

RAID1: 2 x 146GB + dedicated hot spare
RAID10: 4 x 300GB + dedicated hot spare

I've now realised that while I was 100% sure there was a battery installed there actually isn't (or it's reporting as missing because it's dead). I'm assuming this is blocking the options to expand the array?

The server (ML350 G6) has a P410i with 256MB cache.

I've got a spare P410 with 512MB and battery. From what I can tell the cache module and battery should fit the ML350. I need to actually get a physical look inside the server, but it looks likely.

I may just go down the safe route and create a new logical volume on the now spare drive space, but expanding the volume would be more elegant.

Any thoughts? TBH I'm much more comfortable with Dell servers.

bremen1874 · 18 May 2016 at 02:21

I installed my cache module and battery. The server now has 512MB of cache instead of 256MB but is reporting the battery as failed.

The battery has been on the shelf for quite a while. I was hoping that a few hours on charge might bring it back to life but no luck so far. A remote reboot made no difference.

I may have to go shopping for a battery.

bremen1874 · 18 May 2016 at 23:44

I found that guide when I searching for a new battery yesterday. If it was my server and my money I'd be very tempted. Luckily the batteries don't appear to be too expensive to buy new.

I've had Dell servers where you needed to power the server completely down and restart from cold to get a previously discharged battery to be recognised. Any chance the HPs are the same?

bremen1874 · 19 Jun 2016 at 23:04

The replacement battery I had ordered finally arrived. Surprisingly difficult to find new from a reputable supplier without spending over the odds.

After it was installed and had fully charged the options to expand the array appeared and the job is now done.