VmWare/HP Raid

Download

google search =dl380 proliant smart array controller driver for vmware esxi 5.0
Proliant Smart Array Controller Driver - VIB file
HP ESXi Utilities Offline Bundle

Install

vib installation

esxcli software vib install -v [vib full path]
i.e.
esxcli software vib install -v /vmfs/volumes/RAID1_Disks3_4/ISOs/vib/hp_raid/hp-HPUtil-esxi5.0-bundle-1.6-19/hpssacli-1.60.17.0-5.0.0.vib

zip installation

esxcli software vib install -d [zip full path]

Installation Confirmation

Reboot required first.
Verify installation completed

~ # esxcli software vib list | grep Hewlett
hpssacli                       1.60.17.0-5.0.0.377826              Hewlett-Packard  PartnerSupported  2011-05-07  
scsi-hpsa                      5.0.0.58-1OEM.500.0.0.472560        Hewlett-Packard  VMwareCertified   2011-05-07

Test with query

/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller all show status "

Smart Array P400i in Slot 0 (Embedded)
   Controller Status: OK
   Cache Status: OK



/opt/hp/hpssacli/bin # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller all show config "

Smart Array P400i in Slot 0 (Embedded)    (sn: PH79MV8506     )

   array A (SATA, Unused Space: 0  MB)


      logicaldrive 1 (465.7 GB, RAID 1, OK)

      physicaldrive 2I:1:5 (port 2I:box 1:bay 5, SATA, 500 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 2I:1:6 (port 2I:box 1:bay 6, SATA, 500 GB, OK)

   array B (SATA, Unused Space: 0  MB)


      logicaldrive 2 (1.4 TB, RAID 5, OK)

      physicaldrive 1I:1:1 (port 1I:box 1:bay 1, SATA, 500 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 1I:1:2 (port 1I:box 1:bay 2, SATA, 500 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 1I:1:3 (port 1I:box 1:bay 3, SATA, 500 GB, OK)
      physicaldrive 1I:1:4 (port 1I:box 1:bay 4, SATA, 500 GB, OK)

Reference Material

install/config (obsolete)
command cheat sheet (obsolete)
public announcement hpacucli is replaced by hpssacli
HP PDF

Update P400/i Firmware

Visit: hp download site Download: CP017698.scexe
copy to /tmp/downloads/ on VmWare esxi 5.1 box. I generally use SCP to copy from a linux system.
You may need to set the execution permission before you can use the script below.

/tmp/downloads/ # chmod 755 ./CP017698.scexe

launch

/tmp/downloads/ # ./CP017698.scexe
HP Enclosure ROM  Flash.
Flash Engine Version: 2.06.10
Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P.

Device [P400]:  FW Ver [ Current:4.06 | Apply:7.24 ?]Flash this device? [NO, yes, quit] yes
Preparing to flash devices on the array controller...
Requesting flash - this could take up to 15 minutes...
Flash complete.
The array flash operation succeeded.
Device [P400]:  FW Ver [ Current:4.06 | Apply:7.24 ?]Flash this device? [NO, yes, quit] yes
Preparing to flash devices on the array controller...
Requesting flash - this could take up to 15 minutes...
Flash complete.
The array flash operation succeeded.
/tmp/downloads #

Reboot

/tmp/downloads # reboot

Check to make sure it's updated

/tmp/downloads # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller all show config detail" | grep "Firmware Version"
  Firmware Version: 7.24

Write Cache

There are (2) types of write cache, (1) on the drives and (1) on the controller. On the controller there is a read/write ratio which should be leaning more toward the write side, like a 25%/75% for optimal performance.
Optimally you need to have the battery installed on your cache module, however you can force it enabled, just keep in mind that anything on the cache during a power outage may result in corrupted file(s).

Controller Cache

Check Controller Cache Ratio

~ # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller all show config detail" | grep "Cache Ratio:"
   Cache Ratio: 100% Read / 0% Write

Enable no battery write cache

~ # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller slot=0 modify nobatterywritecache=enable forced"

Check to make sure it's enabled:

~ # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller all show config detail" | grep "No-Battery Write Cache:"
   No-Battery Write Cache: Enabled

Change cache ratio

Once you have enabled the write cache on the controller (either by installing the battery or forcing it with no battery), you can define the cache ratio.

~ # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller slot=0 modify cacheratio=25/75"

Check the cache ratio again:

~ # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller all show config detail" | grep "Cache Ratio:"
   Cache Ratio: 25% Read / 75% Write

Drive Cache

Verify it is disabled:

~ # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller all show config detail" | grep "Drive Write Cache"
  Drive Write Cache: Disabled

To enable drive cache, do the following:

~ # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller slot=0 modify dwc=enable forced"

To Check and make sure it's enabled:

~ # esxcli hpssacli cmd -q "controller all show config detail" | grep "Drive Write Cache"
   Drive Write Cache: Enabled

Misc

Turn on/off Disk blink

Useful for determining which drive is which.

~ # /opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli ctrl slot=1 pd 1I:1:6 modify led=on
~ # /opt/hp/hpssacli/bin/hpssacli ctrl slot=1 pd 1I:1:6 modify led=off