How To Install Ubuntu 14.04 on HP Dynamic Smart Array b120i logical drive

Solution 1:

Unfortunately the b120i does not have stables drivers under Ubuntu/Debian yet - this issue is discussed at https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu-certification/+question/214703.

There is a PPA by HP (note these are not fully tested nor certified): https://launchpad.net/~hp-iss-team/+archive/ubuntu/hp-storage?field.series_filter=trusty

If you need something suitable for production (as we did), then you are going to have to install a raid controller that is supported such as a P4xx controller.

You can also not use the onboard controller in raid mode - use Sata and configure software RAID within Ubuntu - https://help.ubuntu.com/14.04/serverguide/advanced-installation.html#software-raid

Solution 2:

Apparently, HP has some of the software (the Management Component Pack fpr ProLiant, MCP) ready, as it is now offered at http://downloads.linux.hp.com/SDR.

Having some of it installed on Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS (Kernel 3.16.0-45-generic #60~14.04.1-Ubuntu SMP), I can confirm that at least hplog and hpasmcli provide usable output.