OT: Server Hardware and Configuration Question

[Ragnarok]

I have a quick question for you experts out there.

The company I work for recently purchased a Dell PowerVault MD1000 to expand our storage capacity. This is a SAS system.

The current server (Dell Poweredge 4400) is running a PERC3/Di backplane with 8 drives. We have our container setup and this has been running find for years; however, we are running out of hard drive space. Instead of buying new HDs, we went with the MD1000 so that we can easily add more storage (up to 15 HDs).

The question I have is this: Is it possible to make the server use the PERC3/Di backplane and the PERC5 that is required for the MD1000? I have a feeling we can't, but I cannot find much information regarding this.

If not that will just mean we will have two containers on the server. One container for the current HDs on the PERC3 card and then the new, second container on the PERC5 MD1000. It is not a big deal but it would be nice to have the PERC5 control both the old 8 drives along with the drives in the MD1000 and have just one container for all of it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.