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Connecting Dell MD1200 External SAS controller windows server 2008r2

Hi everyone,

I am still new to ICT, so every day I am learning more and more. Today I came with some problems with connecting a DAS from Dell (Powervault MD1200) to a Windows Server 2008 R2.

The Dell Powervault has 2 exits for a SAS cable. The server (HP Proliant DL360 G5) to which I am connecting the DAS has also 2 exits.

I have connected both the SAS cables, but the DAS doesn't show up in the device manager or in disk management.

What am I doing wrong and how should I connect the 2 devices? Really have no clue how to do this.

Before the installation of Windows Server 2008 R2, this was our vmware esx server and had the DAS connected for storing virtual machines and backups.

thanks in advance!

Kind regards,
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Member_2_231077

You need to go into the program that configures your RAID controller and make a disk array and logical disk before Windows disk management sees it. Assuming it's an HP Smart Array Controller in the HP then that's the ACU under start-programs-HP System Tools.

I'd also disconnect one cable or you might see it twice.

N.B. it isn't supported by eother HP or Dell to connect a MD1200 to a ProLiant but it ought to work, the disk lights may not work though.
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Hi Andyalder,

Thanks for your reply. I just installed the ACU on the server, but it can only find the internal SAS-controller (Smart Array P400i in embedded slot). It can't find the external RAID controller which is connected. I also tried to just connect 1 cable but still doesn't show up.

Any ideas maybe?

Thanks for the NB. Do you know maybe why it isn't supported and what set-up is supported?

Thanks again
What's it connected to? Presumably not a HP Smart Array controller or it would show up in the ACU.
It's connected to the external SAS controller (I guess). To verify this I have enclosed some pictures for you:

1. Picture of the back of the DAS-system
2. Picture of the backup of the Powervault
3. Picture of device management to verify that there are 2 RAID-controllers for the connection to the DAS.


Hope this helps to get the DAS connected.

Kind regards,
DAS.jpg
Proliant.jpg
RAID-Controller.png
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Hi andyalder,

I just tried it with the BIOS for the PERC H800. It's possible to enter the configuration, but it can't find any hard disks, so my guess is that I don't have it connected the right way.

With the DAS I can see 2 different controllers with 1 in and 1 out. At the moment I have tried both connecting in and out but neither seem to pick up the DAS which is connected. On the image you can see these controllers and in and out.

I also tried downloading software for the DAS, but it seems that I can't install the files. I have enclosed the downloads that are available for this DAS. Do you know which one I need and is free?

Kind regards,
downloads.png
DAS-MD1200.jpg
Well, you certainly need to connect to the "in" connector which you have done. Can't think of any reason the H800 can't see the disks assuming the enclosure is powered on.
I have only connected 1 powersupply of the DAS, maybe this is the problem?

I will try this and also try rebooting the DAS and then the server.
Hi andyalder, after posting the previous reply and went back to the server, I could see the drives, so everything is fixed. I am still searching for the management of the DAS.
I have already tried some dell openmanage tools, but can't get them installed.

Can you point me into the right direction maybe?

I have not changed anything about the connections from the DAS to the server.

Thanks!

Kind regards,
I  believe it's part of OpenManage Server Assistant - http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/systems-management/w/wiki/1989.openmanage-essentials.aspx

I'll try to get PowrdgeTech to help out as I don't even know if it will install in a non-Dell server.
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Wow thanks for helping out guys! It's indeed not possible to install it. I get the error that the operating system or service pack is not supported.

 I went to have a look into the guides on the website of dell, and Windows 2008 R2 SP1 isn't located in the OS section, so maybe this would be the reason, but as you guys mentioned, it probably the hp/dell thing ;-)

Thanks again for the support guys. I have it hooked up and can put data on the array that I have configured into the BIOS of the H800 Perc RAID Card.

Thanks!!