Configuring Arrays on HP Smart Array Controllers Reference Guide

Overview of array configuration tools 5
Overview of array configuration tools
Utilities available for configuring an array
To configure an array on an HP Smart Array controller, three utilities are available:
• HP Array Configuration Utility (ACU)—An advanced utility that enables you to perform many complex
configuration tasks
• Option ROM Configuration for Arrays (ORCA)—A simple utility used mainly to configure the first logical
drive in a new server before the operating system is loaded
• HP Online Array Configuration Utility for NetWare (CPQONLIN)—A customized version of ACU for
online configuration of servers that use Novell NetWare
Before you use a utility, confirm that the utility can support the required task. View a comparison of the utilities
(on page 5).
Whichever utility you use, remember the following factors when you build an array:
• All drives grouped in a logical drive must be of the same type (for example, either all SAS or all SATA
and either all hard drives or all solid state drives).
• 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 is unavailable for data storage.
• The more physical drives configured in an array, 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. For more information, see "Drive arrays and fault-tolerance
methods (on page 102)."
Comparison of the utilities
Feature ACU CPQONLIN ORCA
Interface
GUI, CLI, and Scripting Menu-based Menu-based or CLI
Languages
English, French, German,
Italian, Japanese, Simplified
Chinese, and Spanish
English English
Source of
executable file
Software CD, web, or
embedded in the system
Software CD or web Preinstalled in ROM of HP
Smart Array controllers
When the utility can
be used
All formats can be run in
online and offline
environments.
Any time the operating
system is running
During POST, before the
operating system is
installed
Where the utility can
be used
Any machine that uses a
supported browser
Only on the local server Only on the local server