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Configuring an array 13
Configuring an array
Utilities available for configuring an array
Three utilities are available for configuring an array on an HP Smart Array controller: ORCA,
CPQONLIN, and ACU.
• ORCA is a simple utility that is used mainly to configure the first logical drive in a new server before
the operating system is loaded.
• CPQONLIN is a more full-featured utility for online configuration of servers that use Novell NetWare.
• ACU is an advanced utility that enables you to perform many complex configuration tasks.
For more information about the features of these utilities and for instructions for using the utilities, see the
Configuring Arrays on HP Smart Array Controllers Reference Guide. This guide is available on the
Documentation CD that is provided in the controller kit.
Whichever utility you use, remember the following factors when you build an array:
• All drives in an array must be of the same type (for example, all SAS or all SATA).
• 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 so is unavailable for data storage.
• The more physical drives that there are 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.