HP MSA 2050 - Supercapacitor Pack; Upgrading to MSA 2050

Supercapacitor pack 15
The CompactFlash memory card is located at the midplane-facing end of the controller module as shown below.
Figure 8 MSA 2050 CompactFlash memory card
If one controller fails, then later another controller fails or does not start, and the Cache Status LED is on or blinking, the
CompactFlash will need to be transported to a replacement controller to recover data not flushed to disk (see “Controller
failure” (page 50) for more information).
CAUTION: The CompactFlash memory card should only be removed for transportable purposes. To preserve the
existing data stored in the CompactFlash, you must transport the CompactFlash from the failed controller to the
replacement controller using a procedure outlined in the HPE MSA Controller Module Replacement Instructions shipped
with the replacement controller module. Failure to use this procedure will result in the loss of data stored in the cache
module. The CompactFlash must stay with the same enclosure. If the CompactFlash is used/installed in a different
enclosure, data loss/data corruption will occur.
IMPORTANT: In dual controller configurations featuring one healthy partner controller, there is no need to transport
failed controller cache to a replacement controller because the cache is duplicated between the controllers (subject to
volume write optimization setting).
Supercapacitor pack
To protect RAID controller cache in case of power failure, MSA 2050 controllers are equipped with supercapacitor
technology, in conjunction with CompactFlash memory, built into each controller module to provide extended cache
memory backup time. The supercapacitor pack provides energy for backing up unwritten data in the write cache to the
CompactFlash in the event of a power failure. Unwritten data in CompactFlash memory is automatically committed to
disk media when power is restored. While the cache is being maintained by the supercapacitor, the Cache Status LED
flashes at a rate of 1/10 second on and 9/10 second off.
Upgrading to MSA 2050
For information about upgrading components for use with MSA controllers, see Upgrading to the HPE MSA 2050.
Controller module pictorial
CompactFlash memory card
(Midplane-facing rear view)