| Q1. Were does the Smart Array 532 controller fit in the Smart Array family of array controllers? |
| A1. |
This product will replace the Smart Array 431 controller as the entry-level Smart Array controller (the Smart Array 431 will be available through 4Q 2001).
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| Q2. What are the differences between the Smart Array 431 and the Smart Array 532? |
| A2. |
The main differences between these two controllers include:
- Dual Ultra3 SCSI channels (1 internal and 1 external)
- 32 MB of cache memory used for code, transfer buffers, and non-battery backed read cache
- Tape drive support
- Recovery ROM to protect against a ROM image corruption
- Increased performance
|
| Q3. Will the Smart Array 431 be discontinued? |
| A3. |
Not immediately. The Smart Array 431 is expected to be available through 4Q 2001.
|
| Q4. Is it 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 Ultra2 and Ultra3 controllers are data compatible with Ultra2 and Ultra3 hard drives and servers.
|
| Q5. What do the numbers in Smart Array 532 mean? |
| A5. |
The numbering scheme for the Smart Array family is actually quite simple. The higher end array controllers are numbered in the thousands. The entry-level products are numbered in the hundreds. The first number refers to the product family or generation. The second number refers to the protocol (2 = Ultra2; 3 = Ultra3). The third number can be used for various differentiating variables-in the case of the Smart Array 532, the third number indicates that this is a dual channel array controller.
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| Q6. Why should ProLiant customers consider a Smart Array controller? |
| A6. |
Fault protection of data; and 2) 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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| Q7. How many drives does the Smart Array 532 support? |
| A7. |
Up to 28 drives (14 drives per channel) but this feature is server and/or enclosure dependent. Today, Compaq can support up to 14 external drives using the StorageWorks Enclosure 4300. Internally, our servers can support up to 8 drives on a single SCSI channel.
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| Q8. Does the Smart Array 532 support both internal and external drives at the same time? |
| A8. |
Yes, the Smart Array 532 has 1 internal SCSI channel and 1 external SCSI channel. These channels can be run simultaneously to support up to 1 TB of storage per PCI slot.
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| Q9. Does the Smart Array 532 have an upgrade path to the next Smart Array controller? |
| A9. |
Yes! Upon reaching the limitation of the Smart Array 532, any current or future Ultra2 or Ultra3 Smart Array Controller can easily replace the Smart Array 532 to increase data performance, data availability and data capacity. This upgrade is as simple as shutting down the server, replacing the two boards, upgrading the firmware to the most current firmware, and seamlessly the new array controller will recognize the data. (Note: It is recommended that users have a current back-up before attempting any server upgrades and refer to more detailed notes on upgrading in the user manuals provided with the controllers).
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| Q10. Does the Smart Array 532 support Single Ended SCSI devices? |
| A10. |
The Smart Array 532 will support all Ultra2 and Ultra3 servers, storage enclosures, and hard disk drives. The Smart Array 532 does not support Single Ended hard disk drives, but does support Single Ended tape drives. (Single Ended refers to Wide Ultra SCSI and previous generations of the SCSI protocol).
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| Q11. Does the Smart Array 532 support write-back cache? |
| A11. |
No, Compaq believes that data integrity is the most important feature of any of our array controller products. Write-back cache is vulnerable to power drops. With higher-end Compaq array controllers (e.g., the Smart Array 5300 family), write-back cache is protected by a unique removable battery backed cache daughter board. Since this is a costly feature to implement, standard with higher end array controllers, the Smart Array 532 does not support battery backed write-back cache.
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| Q12. Does Compaq offer Hard Disk Drive Pre-Failure Warranty Support with the SA-431 like it does for higher end array controllers? |
| A12. |
Absolutely. Because this product feature adds true customer value, Pre-Failure Warranty for attached Compaq disk drives is a standard feature on all the Smart Array family products.
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| Q13. What is the primary problem solved by Recovery ROM? |
| A13. |
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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| Q14. How is this problem addressed with Recovery ROM? |
| A14. |
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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| Q15. Can the Smart Array 532 be placed in any PCI slot of a ProLiant server? |
| A15. |
No, the Smart Array 532 is supported only in 3.3-volt PCI slots of all Ultra2 and Ultra3 ProLiant servers. The SA-532 is not supported in 5-volt PCI slots. |
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