I bought a used HPE 3PAR StoreServ 8400, but the M.2 boot drives were removed from every controller node before delivery. The rest of the hardware appears to be present, but the array cannot start without the boot media and operating system. I've contacted several vendors, yet locating compatible recovery media for this older platform has been difficult. Has anyone successfully recovered one of these systems, or can point me toward a legitimate source for the correct 3PAR OS and recovery tools?
2 Answers
This recovery is more involved than simply finding an ISO. The 3PAR OS is normally installed through a compatible Service Processor, which can be physical or virtual. You would need both the appropriate StoreServ OS package and a Service Processor version capable of provisioning it. Since the 8000 series spans changes in HPE’s servicing and authentication process, compatibility and support access are important. The safest route is to identify the exact controller and shelf configuration, then work with HPE or an authorized service provider to obtain the media and recovery procedure. Once the correct Service Processor and files are available, the nodes can generally be reimaged through the supported provisioning workflow.
HPE is the legitimate source for the recovery software, although older 3PAR releases may require an active support entitlement or assistance from an authorized partner. Vendors sometimes have legacy systems or service equipment available, but obtaining an image from an unknown mirror can create compatibility, licensing, and security problems. I’d collect the system serial numbers, controller details, and shelf configuration before contacting HPE or a certified reseller; that gives them enough information to determine the supported recovery path.
Older media is not always publicly downloadable, so finding a filename or an online mirror may not lead anywhere. A vendor with access to legacy HPE support resources is probably more realistic than searching for an unverified copy.
The exact controller and enclosure configuration matters a lot here. It’s also worth deciding whether you need a fully functional 3PAR array or only want to use the shelves as standalone storage hardware, since the latter may not require restoring the original array software.