Comments on: VMware: Bad performance on HP ProLiant DL380 G6 with ESXi 3.5 U4

By: GoodThings2Life

GoodThings2Life — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:54:45 +0000

I installed the 512MB cache module with the battery backup unit, but I’m still experiencing AWFUL disk read/write performance. I’m running ESXi 4.1 U2. I’ve installed all of the latest firmware updates (Firmware DVD 9.30 plus the Service Pack disk from September 2011).

When I “F8″ into the controller setup at boot, I don’t see any options to verify/adjust the cache settings, so is there another way to do this?

By: mfischer

mfischer — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:00:05 +0000

Hi gabrielpc1190,

Buy a Battery Kit upgrade (for BBWC) 462969-B21.

Attach this to the connector on the cache and when the battery charges (may be 30mins to 2 hrs) then all will be fine.

If you are going to turn on Physical Drive Write Cache State make sure you have the server running off a UPS otherwise you may lose data on a unscheduled power outage.
I recommend that all servers should be on a suitable sized UPS with the monitoring/remote shutdown software installed.
It amazes me how many servers I see attached to UPS with no monitoring/remote shutdown software installed.
o.O

By: Gabriel Paniagua Castro

Gabriel Paniagua Castro — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:02:18 +0000

Julio :
I’m planning on buying an HP DL380 G6 and will use vmware ESXi 4.0 too with 3 VM (2 with Windows Server 2008 + 1 Linux) so this issue concerns me very much.
The model that is on stock right now in my country (Argentina) is 491324-001 which includes HP Smart Array P410i/256MB Controller.
What are my options? HP recommends 1) 512MB BBWC 462967-B21 2) Battery Kit upgrade (for BBWC) 462969-B21 3) 256MB Cache Module 462968-B21. But I’m not sure which one is for me. Do I need 512MB BBWC for use Battery Kit upgrade (for BBWC) 462969-B21?
I would appreciated your help.

Did you get this resolved?
I want to upgrade my server too but i dont know what i have to buy. I have the Smart Array P410i/256MB Controller too.
Thanks

gabrielpc1190 at gmail.com

By: Julio

Julio — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:17:48 +0000

I’m planning on buying an HP DL380 G6 and will use vmware ESXi 4.0 too with 3 VM (2 with Windows Server 2008 + 1 Linux) so this issue concerns me very much.
The model that is on stock right now in my country (Argentina) is 491324-001 which includes HP Smart Array P410i/256MB Controller.
What are my options? HP recommends 1) 512MB BBWC 462967-B21 2) Battery Kit upgrade (for BBWC) 462969-B21 3) 256MB Cache Module 462968-B21. But I’m not sure which one is for me. Do I need 512MB BBWC for use Battery Kit upgrade (for BBWC) 462969-B21?
I would appreciated your help.

By: Arno Rommens

Arno Rommens — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:53:03 +0000

I had exactly the same problem.

Only firmware updates will not solve the problem.

I bought a 512mb bbwc controller (pn: 462967-B21) and my transfer rate was great.
In stead of 2 / 3 MB/s i’ve got now 70 till 100 MB/s disk transfer speed on my local disks.

HP Dl380G6
2x Quad Core
8 GB memory
4x 146 GB 10 K 2,5″inch disks in Raid 1+0
HP P410i controller 512mb BBWC
ESXi 4.0

By: laez

laez — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:07:57 +0000

@PiroNet I'm afraid that won't work for us. We don't have UPSes connected directly to the servers.

By: PiroNet

PiroNet — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:00:10 +0000

We found out that too and since then any HP server we order comes up with the battery Pack option by default
Also, you can even more increase the bandwidth by enabling the Physical Drive Write Cache State setting that you can find in the Array Configuration Utility, a tool that runs under Windows. You must have a UPS to turn that thing on!

Cheers,
Didier