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12709
May 19th, 2008 16:00
Monitoring HDD failures
Hello,
Currently we are using HP servers and HP System Insight Manager for monitoring them, so forgive me for dummy questions.
I need a server for some tasks in branch office. The main requirements for the server are:
* 2 GB RAM;
* 2 SATA HDD with hardware RAID controller (mirror);
* possibility to monitor HDD failures in a central location;
* Power On/Off server remotely.
If I understood correctly, "OpenManage IT Assistant" equals "HP System Insight Manager" and "OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA)" equals "Proliant Support Pack (PSP)"?
In HP world, if you want to monitor hardware failures with HP agents, you should buy at lest ML 3xx series server. Smaller servers (ML 110, ML 150 does not support agent installation (= hardware monitoring)). Does Dell servers has the same limitation or not?
Generally, I need cheapest server as possible. So, I need help which Dell server model to choose based on my requirements.
Thanks!
P.S. If it matter, I will use Windows XP on that server.
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DELL-Jeff M
2 Intern
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793 Posts
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May 19th, 2008 21:00
Thanks for posting! First, our servers do not support Windows XP. If you install XP on the server, the OpenManage software will not work on it. The PowerEdge T105 does not support the management software, but the T300 does, and should be able to handle your other requirements. If you want to be able to power cycle the server or shut it off remotely, you can just use the OpenManage software. If you want to be able to cold start the system remotely you will need a DRAC 5 card.
I'm not sure about HP equivalents, but OpenManage Server Administrator is the agent software that needs to be installed on each server. IT Assistant is the management console that you install on one system to monitor the rest. They communicate with SNMP, which does not travel well over the Internet or WAN connections, so the supported configuration includes IT Assistant on the same local network.
Pafi
22 Posts
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May 29th, 2008 14:00
If your new low cost server with Windows XP, which is at this time not tested and validated by dell because Windows XP isn't a Server OS, suports the Array Manager than i would mean you have the possibility to handle it with the array manager Mib file which must be added in your managemnt tool.
Array Manager was the storage management before the Server Administrator. Server Administrator isn't possible to install on xp BUT array manager should be work.
For the array manager no new version exists because Server amin is now the tool which manage it.
You must search it explicit on the downlaod page - mean array manager 5.3 or 5.4 was the last version. with the mib sata hdd management should be possible => but this is only an idea => don't know if it works, feedback will be nice ;-)
In my HP times i had compare the Server Administrator with the HP Systems Management Homepage, all other comparisons were correct.
DELL-Jeff M
2 Intern
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793 Posts
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May 29th, 2008 20:00
Pafi
22 Posts
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May 30th, 2008 08:00
i have thought about the issue last night. because Array Manager wasn't further developed i would say it can't recognize the new SAS HBA's like SAS 5 ir which are in the price range we talk about.
Maybe the SAS Raid Storage Manager can help but also not tested by my side. But in all ways it is a playground with open end ;-) MAybe with an OS cim provider it can also be realized.
OMNavigator
291 Posts
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June 2nd, 2008 03:00
Hi Rytis L,
As pointed in this thread, OMSA will not install on XP. However, there are a few points that might interest you, but were not captured in these threads:
- You can install OpenManage IT Assistant (ITA) on a client OS (like Windows XP or Vista).
- Since you are looking for cheapest servers, make sure you are covered on the managability aspect. Many of the "SC" line of servers do not support OMSA installation. OMSA is the agent, which includes the instrumentation that would be required for management and monitoring.
- If manageability is high on your priority, make sure you go the "drivers and downloads" page for your server that you are choosing (start from support.dell.com, select system model etc), and expand the "Systems Management" table row - you will find all the software (OMSA, ITA, etc) supported on that model and OS combination.
- you are right about comparison about ITA and SIM - they are on similar lines (not exact one-to-one mapping). Am not sure of the OMSA / PSP part though.