NEC Express 5800 Series User Manual

Also see for Express 5800 Series: Maintenance Guide User guide User guide Installation guide

Contents

Overview 5OverviewArray and controller configurationYou can configure arrays and controllers during the initial provisioning of the server or compute module andat any time after the initial configuration. Configuration tasks can be initiated using Smart StorageAdministrator (accessible through EXPRESSBUILDER) or the System Utility.During the initial provisioning of the server or compute module, an array is required to be configured beforethe operating system can be installed. You can configure the array using either of the options below: When you launch EXPRESSBUILDER, you can build an appropriate array for any drives using SSA. You can use the System Utility. This utility create the primary array that is required.SSA provides a full set of array configuration features while the System Utility provides a limited set offeatures. However, users may prefer using the System Utility during the initial configuration of the server orcomputer module since the System Utility loads faster than SSA during that step.For more information, see User Guide for RAID Controller.After the initial provisioning of the server or compute module, you can use either SSA or the System Utility toconfigure the arrays and controllers.IMPORTANT: N8103-197 SAS Controller supports only view status.Smart Storage AdministratorSSA is the main tool for configuring arrays on RAID Controllers. It exists in three interface formats: the SSAGUI, the SSA CLI, and SSA Scripting. All formats provide support for configuration tasks. Some of theadvanced tasks are available in only one format.SSA is accessible both offline and online: Accessing SSA in the offline environment: Using one of multiple methods, you can run SSA beforelaunching the host operating system. In offline mode, users can configure or maintain detected andsupported ProLiant devices, such as optional RAID Controllers and integrated RAID Controllers. SomeSSA features are only available in the offline environment, such as setting the boot controller and bootvolume. Accessing SSA in the online environment: This method requires an administrator to download the SSAexecutables and install them. You can run SSA online after launching the host operating system.More InformationAccessing SSA in the offline environmentAccessing SSA in the online environmentBenefits of using SSASmart Storage Administrator is an advanced utility that enables you to perform many complex configurationtasks.Using SSA over other configuration utilities provides the following benefits: