Support policy for Host-Bus-Adapters that feature RAID

Problem

Support policy for Host-Bus-Adapters that feature RAID

Solution

As documented on the Backup Exec Hardware Compatibility Lists, Host-Bus-Adapters (HBAs) featuring RAID are generally not supported or recommended.  The HBA vendor will generally indicate when an HBA supports tape functions.

The following below Host-Bus-Adapters (HBA's) that have been tested and determined to be supported as exceptions to the non-RAID HBA policy:

Compaq Smart Array 5i embedded RAID controller

The Compaq Smart Array 5i Controller is an SCSI Ultra3, dual channel, Low Voltage Differential (LVD) HBA. Unlike most other SCSI and RAID controllers, the Compaq Smart Array 5i Controller can support mixing disk and tape devices on the same SCSI bus. Special intelligence in the 5i controller handles conditions like a SCSI bus reset so that tape drives aren't disturbed. Backup Exec for Windows Server supports tape devices connected to either the internal or external SCSI connections of the controller. Mixing tape devices and a RAID array(s) on the Compaq Smart Array 5i embedded RAID controller is supported by Backup Exec for Windows servers.

The controller is embedded on the system boards of the following servers:
    * Compaq ProLiant ML370 G2
    * Compaq ProLiant DL380 G2
For more technical information regarding this controller, please visit the following URL: 
https://h20195.www2.hpe.com/v2/Getdocument.aspx?docname=c04282769 (retired)

Dell PERC 4/Di

This is a dual-channel integrated array controller that can run in RAID/RAID, RAID/SCSI or SCSI/SCSI mode. Stand-alone tape drives are supported on this controller ONLY when channel B is running in SCSI mode and free of any hard disks (the bus is dedicated to tape)

Dell PERC 5 I

This array controller can be run in SCSI mode (non-RAID). Only stand-alone tape drives are supported on this controller.
For a complete list of Dell supportability, please consult the Dell PowerVault ™ Compatibility Matrix:  support.dell.com/support/edocs/stor-sys/matrix/

HP SAS SC44Ge

The SC44Ge PCI-Express Host Bus Adapter is ideal for basic RAID (0,1) and low cost connectivity to tape and HDDs. This adapter supports both 3Gb SAS and 1.5Gb SATA devices. HP SC44Ge Host Bus Adapter has been thoroughly tested and integrated into many of the HP ProLiant servers.


HP Smart Array E500

HP Smart Array E500 is HP’s PCE Express (PCIe) Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) RAID controller.
The full size card has 8 ports (2 x4 mini SAS external connectors) and utilizes DDR2-533 memory.
https://h20195.www2.hpe.com/v2/Getdocument.aspx?docname=c04140617   (retired)

HP Smart Array P700m*

The HP Smart Array P700m is HP's first mezzanine Card PCI-Express (PCIE) supporting direct attach and shared SAS Storage.
*Note: The HP Smart Array P700m requires Driver version 6.20.0.64 or greater

Note: The controllers below have been tested and supported in version 12.5 Backup Exec


HP Smart Array P212

HP Smart Array P212 is HP's entry level PCI Express (PCIe) Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) RAID controller. The low profile, half height card has 8 ports and utilizes DDR2-800 memory.

 

HP Smart Array P222 Controller

The HP Smart Array P222 Controller is an entry-level 6 Gb/s Array Controller that provides improved performance, greater attach rate and lower maintenance

HP Smart Array P410/P410i

HP Smart Array P410 is HP's PCI Express (PCIe) 2.0 Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) RAID controller. The low profile, half height card has 8 ports and utilizes DDR2-800 memory. The P410i is the motherboard embedded version.   https://h20195.www2.hpe.com/v2/getpdf.aspx/c04111713.pdf (retired)


HP Smart Array P411

HP Smart Array P411 is HP's external connect only, PCI Express (PCIe) 2.0 Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) RAID controller. The low profile, half height card has 8 ports and utilizes DDR2-800 memory

HP Smart Array P420i Controller

The HP Smart Array P420 Controller is a low profile, 6 Gb/s, PCIe 3.0, Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) RAID controller that provides enterprise class, storage performance and data protection for select HP ProLiant Gen8 rack servers and tower servers.

Fujitsu D2507

Fujitsu D2507 SAS/SATA PCIe Host Bus Adapter. High-performance PCIe x 4 to 8-port SAS/SATA host adapter with RAID control capabilities. It supports 1.5 Gb/s and 3.0 Gb/s SAS and SATA.

Fujitsu D2607

Fujitsu D2607 SAS/SATA RAID controller. 6Gb/s SAS ports PCI Express 2.0. 8-port SAS/SATA host adapter with RAID control capabilities.
 

Fujitsu D2616

Fujitsu D2616 PRIMERGY modular RAID Controller SAS 2.0.  SAS/SATA PCIe Host Bus Adapter. 8-port  “RAID Controller SAS 6G 5/6 512MB". It supports 3.0 Gb/s and 6.0 Gb/s SAS and SATA.