Installing Ubuntu 12.04 on HP Proliant DL380e with 1TB SAS Drive

Question

I have an HP Proliant DL380e with a 1TB SAS Drive and I am trying to install ubuntu server 12.04 on it.

I have created a RAID array using Array Controller Utility and had a RAID0 logical volume configured on that array. I also set this logical volume as the primary bootable device.

Having done this, I believe installing ubuntu on the created partition should be as smooth as it can be. However, it seems I am so wrong...

During the installation process, the installer does not detect my SAS Drive. At the step required to partition disks, it only avails the option to "Configure iSCSI Volumes".

When I checked the /var/log/syslog file. I see that the installer tries to detect SATA Drives but finds none.

Are there any custom configurations I need to make to get the installer to successfully detect my SAS Drive? I can't quite figure out what I need to do get the installer to detect my SAS Drive.

Thanks in advance.

How can I take such screenshots during installation? – jgtumusiime Jul 25 '13 at 08:33 — jgtumusiime, Jul 25 '13 at 08:33

ewwhite · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-25T14:12:00.253

7

Some models of the HP ProLiant DL380e use a Dynamic Smart Array controller. This is a low-end controller and doesn't have the same widespread support as a proper Smart Array controller. The other problem here is Ubuntu... Windows, Red Hat and SuSE all have drivers for this controller. Ubuntu does not. See the HP/Ubuntu technical exceptions matrix.

The HP Dynamic Smart Array B110i/B120i/B320i controller driver for Ubuntu 12.04 is not available. The Ubuntu 12.04 certification was completed in SATA mode.

Ubuntu is certified for the ProLiant DL380e only if the Dynamic Smart Array controller is disabled. Please see the Ubuntu certification notes.

System is certified with Dynamic Smart Array disabled. To disable: *Press F9 to boot into RBSU *Navigate to System Options -> HP Dynamic Smart Array B320i and select disable *Go to System options -> SATA Controller options and select Legacy SATA or AHCI *Reboot the machine and now you will be able to install the OS.

It's unfortunate. The DL380e is an entry-level server. The DL380p would work properly with no modification. But the other issue is that Ubuntu doesn't have the support for the RAID controller.

edited Jul 25 '13 at 14:12

answered Jul 25 '13 at 13:54

ewwhite

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That worked. I will have to do away with RAID Support for now. Thank you. – jgtumusiime Jul 26 '13 at 07:30
Or *not* use Ubuntu? Maybe? – ewwhite Jul 26 '13 at 11:55
I'm looking at using something open source. FreeBSD, Open-SUSE, Archlinux all behaved the same. May be i'll purchase Red-hat or SUSE later. Thanks for now. – jgtumusiime Jul 27 '13 at 08:46
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CentOS is compatible... – ewwhite Jul 27 '13 at 10:54
I have another ML310e G8 with the same issue, it has a 120i RAID Controller. I will try installing CentOS on it. – jgtumusiime Jul 27 '13 at 12:30

Installing Ubuntu 12.04 on HP Proliant DL380e with 1TB SAS Drive

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