Bladewatch.com

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/servers/management/smartstart/index.html

SmartStart provides step-by-step ProLiant server deployment assistance. From array configuration and operating system installation to the update of optimized ProLiant server support software, SmartStart ensures a stable and reliable configuration. Included in the ProLiant Essentials Foundation Pack, SmartStart works with all ProLiant ML and DL 300, 500, and 700 series and BladeSystem (BL) servers.

The ProLiant Software Maintenance Pack provides a complete server maintenance solution by combining the Firmware Maintenance CD with SmartStart and the Management CD. The Firmware Maintenance CD delivers a collection of firmware for ProLiant servers and options.

Basically smartstart on the old servers is used to configure the hardware, set up the array controller, to make your disks RAID1/RAID5 etc, on the new servers, it provides the same functionality but can also do a scripted install of your operating system and load the relevant driver pack.

As I say you don’t need to use it on the new servers, but you do need to use it on the older servers if you can’t configure the disks in the F8 prompt for the array controller bios thing.

Anything with an integrated array controller/smart controller which is relatively new, like a 5300, a DL360/380/580/760, will allow you to create an array by pressing F8 and setting the options, otherwise you’ll need the smartstart cd.

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