HP Smart Array P800 Controller - Manual (Page 16)

Configuring an array 16
Configuring an array
Utilities available for configuring an array
Two utilities are available for configuring an array on an HP Smart Array controller in an HP Integrity
server: ORCA and ACU.
• ORCA is a simple utility that is used mainly to configure the first logical drive in a new server before
the operating system is loaded.
• ACU is an advanced utility that enables you to perform many complex configuration tasks.
For more information about the features of these utilities and for instructions for using the utilities, see the
Configuring Arrays on HP Smart Array Controllers Reference Guide. This guide is available on the
Documentation CD that is provided in the controller kit.
Whichever utility you use, remember the following factors when you build an array:
• All drives in an array must be of the same type (for example, all SAS or all SATA).
• For the most efficient use of drive space, all drives within an array should have approximately the
same capacity. Each configuration utility treats every physical drive in an array as if it has the same
capacity as the smallest drive in the array. Any excess capacity of a particular drive cannot be used
in the array and so is unavailable for data storage.
• The more physical drives that an array has, the greater the probability that the array will experience
a drive failure during any given period. To guard against the data loss that occurs when a drive
fails, configure all logical drives in an array with a suitable fault-tolerance (RAID) method.
Comparing the utilities
NOTE: A + in the appropriate column indicates that the feature or procedure is supported,
while -- indicates that the feature or procedure is not supported.
Supported features ACU ORCA
Uses a graphical interface + --
Available in languages other than English + --
Available on CD + --
Uses a wizard to suggest the optimum configuration for an unconfigured controller + --
Describes configuration errors + --
Suitable for configuration while online + --
Suitable for configuration while offline -- +
Supported procedures ACU ORCA
Creation and deletion of arrays and logical drives + +