HP Smart Storage Administrator User Guide

1 HP Smart Storage Administrator User Guide Abstract This document identifies, and provides instructions for, the tools available for configuration, management, monitoring, and diagnosing of HP ProLiant controller and server products. This document is for the person who installs, administers, and troubleshoots servers and Storage systems. HP assumes you are qualified in the servicing of computer equipment and trained in recognizing hazards in products with hazardous energy levels. Part Number: 742648-004. March 2015. Edition: 4. Copyright 2013, 2015 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

2 The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Confidential computer software. Valid license from HP required for possession, use or copying. Consistent with FAR and , Commercial Computer Software, Computer Software Documentation, and Technical Data for Commercial Items are licensed to the Government under vendor's standard commercial license.

3 Microsoft , Windows , and Windows Server are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Google is a trademark of Google Inc. Contents Overview .. 5. About HP SSA .. 5. Benefits of using HP SSA .. 5. Support for configuration tasks .. 6. Array configuration .. 8. Array configuration guidelines .. 8. Minimum requirements .. 9. Native support for 64-bit and 32-bit operating 9. 10. Accessing HP SSA in the offline 10. Launching HP SSA with HP Intelligent Provisioning (Gen8 or later) .. 10. Launching HP SSA during POST (Gen8 or later) .. 10.

4 Launching HP SSA from an ISO image (all generations) .. 11. Accessing HP SSA in the online environment .. 14. Launching HP SSA on a local 15. Launching HP SSA on a local server to configure a remote server .. 15. Launching HP SSA on a remote server to configure a local server .. 16. Using the HP SSA GUI .. 17. Icon and key stroke legend .. 17. Navigating the GUI .. 18. Configuration tasks .. 22. Diagnostic tasks .. 54. Using the HP SSA CLI .. 57. Opening the CLI in Console mode .. 57. Opening the CLI in Command mode .. 58. CLI syntax .. 58.

5 Typical procedures .. 63. Encryption commands .. 83. Using HP SSA scripting .. 88. Capturing a 88. Using an Input script .. 88. Creating an HP SSA script file .. 89. Script file options .. 93. XML 111. HP SSA scripting warning messages .. 114. HP SSA scripting error messages .. 115. Troubleshooting .. 121. HP Smart Storage Administrator Diagnostics Utility CLI .. 121. About the utility .. 121. Reported information .. 121. Installing the utility .. 123. Launching the utility in CLI mode .. 124. Diagnostic report procedures .. 124. SmartSSD Wear Gauge report procedures.

6 124. 512e Physical drive support .. 125. Contents 3. Drive arrays and fault-tolerance methods .. 125. Drive arrays .. 125. Effects of a hard drive failure on logical drives .. 128. Fault-tolerance methods .. 128. Diagnosing array problems .. 137. Diagnostic tools .. 137. Troubleshooting 137. Optional components .. 139. HP Secure 139. HP Smart Array Advanced Pack .. 140. About SAAP .. 140. Acronyms and abbreviations .. 141. Documentation feedback .. 143. Index .. 144. Contents 4. Overview About HP SSA. HP SSA is the main tool for configuring arrays on HP Smart Array controllers.

7 It exists in three interface formats: the HP SSA GUI, the HP SSA CLI, and HP SSA Scripting. All formats provide support for configuration tasks (on page 6). Some of the advanced tasks are available in only one format. The diagnostic features in HP SSA are also available in the standalone software HP Smart Storage Administrator Diagnostics Utility CLI (on page 121). Starting with HP SSA and ProLiant Gen8 servers and server blades, HP SSA is accessible both offline and online: Accessing HP SSA in the offline environment (on page 10). Using one of multiple methods, you can run HP SSA before launching the host operating system.

8 In offline mode, users can configure or maintain detected and supported ProLiant devices, such as optional Smart Array controllers and integrated Smart Array controllers. Some HP SSA features are only available in the offline environment, such as setting the boot controller and boot volume. Accessing HP SSA in the online environment (on page 14). This method requires an Administrator to download the HP SSA executables and install them. You can run HP SSA online after launching the host operating system. Benefits of using HP SSA. HP Smart Storage Administrator is an advanced utility that enables you to perform many complex configuration tasks.

9 Previously, other HP configuration utilities, including Array Configuration Utility and Option ROM Configuration for Arrays, were recommended for Storage configuration. Although ACU is still supported, HP SSA replaces it starting with HP ProLiant Gen8 servers. There are many GUI differences between ACU and HP SSA. Some of the main differences include the following: The tabs in ACU are integrated into the new HP SSA Configure menu. The 2-panel format in ACU is replaced with a 3-panel format in HP SSA. HP SSA includes a quick navigation menu, to access configuration or diagnostics options for a specific controller.

10 With an HP Smart Array Gen8 or later controller, most options do not require an SAAP license. HP SSA does not include a Wizards feature. HP SSA includes a stand-alone CLI diagnostics utility ("HP Smart Storage Administrator Diagnostics Utility CLI" on page 121). HP SSA provides full-range support for standard and advanced configuration tasks ("Support for configuration tasks" on page 6). Some of these advanced tasks are not available in all HP SSA interface formats (GUI, CLI, and Scripting). Overview 5. Using HP SSA over other configuration utilities provides the following benefits: GUI, CLI, and Scripting interfaces are available.