Does the HP Micro server have hardware or software raid?

[edutech4schools]

I keep reading different posts, some say it has hardware raid and some say software.

 

Which is correct?

 

I need to update a server in a single server school and might use a micro server as a holding area for files and server rolls while I update the old server but would prefer it has hardware raid.

[localzuk]

According to HP it is a Integrated 4 port SATA RAID.

 

So, it is hardware with RAID 1 and 0 support.

[DavidYoung]

It has what I would call soft hardware RAID, in that it does have an integrated RAID controller on the motherboard, but does not have a hardware RAID processor, therefore uses the CPU to do the actual work.

 

I've only used RAID 1 on it (not sure if it supports 5), so not much processing overhead to worry about. It is definately better than the onboard RAID controller in the old ML150, which caused no-end of trouble.

[danbuntu]

it doesn't do raid 5 in hardware.

I have one running 4 X 2tb disks in software raid and the included 250gig as a the system disk mounting in the cd drive bay. It runs Ubuntu Linux and as a home server totally rocks.

[edutech4schools]

It has what I would call soft hardware RAID, in that it does have an integrated RAID controller on the motherboard, but does not have a hardware RAID processor, therefore uses the CPU to do the actual work.

 

That would explain the conflicting posts I have looked at.

 

Probably get 2 1tb drives mirrored in a microserver to do the job.

 

Do they they take standard hard drives?

[MatthewL]

I have added 3 TB drives to mine under Server 2008 R2 Foundation is allowed me to RAID 5 them.

[sted]

I have added 3 TB drives to mine under Server 2008 R2 Foundation is allowed me to RAID 5 them.

 

Windows raid is totally software and will work on any pc.

 

Its software raid on the microserver

 

Ps the web interface for the raid will allow the creation of raid 10 arrays but they wont survive a reboot

[edutech4schools]

Does it take standard form factor sized sata drives? On the HP site it says they recommend hp LFF (low form) drives that fit the unit.

 

Can the unit take SATA II or is it just SATA?

 

Can I just bung in some PC3 DDR3 memory or does it need to be more exotic memory?

[DavidYoung]

Does it take standard form factor sized sata drives? On the HP site it says they recommend hp LFF (low form) drives that fit the unit.

 

Can the unit take SATA II or is it just SATA?

 

Yeah, it comes with the caddys which you can put your own disks in. It takes SATA2.

[danbuntu]

 

Can I just bung insome PC3 DDR3 memory or does it need to be more exotic memory?

 

There are several models of microserver so you'll need to check. Mine takes ECC laptop style memory. Best bet is to use the Kingston site or similar and use their memory checker. Ther way you know that you are getting the right thing.

[sted]

There are several models of microserver so you'll need to check. Mine takes ECC laptop style memory. Best bet is to use the Kingston site or similar and use their memory checker. Ther way you know that you are getting the right thing.

 

the one i have is just standard desktop non ecc ram

[Arthur]

Does it take standard form factor sized SATA drives? On the HP site it says they recommend hp LFF drives that fit the unit.

LFF (Large Form Factor) = 3.5" HDDs

SFF (Small Form Factor) = 2.5" HDDs

 

Can the unit take SATA II or is it just SATA?

SATA I, II and III are all fine. 3TB drives also work as long as you don't boot from them.

 

Can I just bung in some PC3 DDR3 memory or does it need to be more exotic memory?

The MicroServer takes either non-ECC or ECC unbuffered 240-pin 1.5v 1,333 MHz DDR3 RAM. As long as you don't mix both types of RAM, you will be fine.

 

4GB Non-ECC DIMMs = £14.99 each

4GB ECC DIMMs = £30.78 each

 

The only reason to pick ECC RAM would be if you are using ZFS.

[MatthewL]

I ordered 4 of these and 2 of these for mine.

[edutech4schools]

Gone for 2 of these

WD 1TB 3.5" SATA-III 6Gb/s Caviar Black Hard.. | Ebuyer.com

 

and one of these

Kingston Memory 4 GB DIMM 240-pin DDR3 | Ebuyer.com

 

I did not go for the green as it has been reported the spin down system causes issues with linux and MS server software, although I have Green drives in my linux NAS with no issues.

 

Thanks for all the info.

[edutech4schools]

Well I migrated all roles, files AD, DNS, DHCP, WSUS, SQL, Sims, FMS and everything else and nobody noticed any speed issues on the network.

 

hmmm might not spend loads of cash on a big server next time round if this little thing can handle the load fine. Something in between me thinks.