LSI Logic SATA Raid Restore

  • Thread starter Thread starter Andrew Seaton
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A

Andrew Seaton

Hi All,

I would love a bit of advice on a server that I am looking after.

2 Weeks ago, I noticed that it was slowing down, and after a reboot it
showed that the "raid aray degraded". One of the SATA disks had failed. No
problem, I thought - I'll get an exact copy and rebuild the array.

I got the exact same drive - (exact model number) and replaced it. I then
went into the LSI Raid BIOS and told it to "rebuild" the array. After a good
3-4 hours, all seemed ok. The array showed "online" on both drives. However,
when I rebooted the array it only got to the pre-windows screen and
complained about not being able to find a number of files, and wanted me to
insert my windows 2003 cd to rebuild the server.

I then powered down, unplugged the "new" drive onto which the array should
have rebuild and the server booted fine off the one disk. The server has
been running OK for a week on this one drive *(not ideal, but no choice
really)*. I have looked around for advice but to no avial.

My real question is what am I doing wrong? The manuals are fairly sketchy,
and I really would like some advice on this one, as RAID isn't my strong
point.

I am guessing that for some reason the array isn't rebuilding properly - but
beyond that I am stuck.

Many thanks in advance for your advice,

Regards,

Andrew.

PS - email reply won't work ... just use the newsgroup.
 
I'm sorry, you're just not giving enough basic information

What kind of array is this
What kind of chip is running it

You see, what doesn't make sense, is you saying the array isn'
rebuilding properly, but the new disk booted up fine. This leads m
to believe this is a 2 disk RAID 1 array

Are you saying it didn't RAID all the way? Then why would it boot

I don't know, I'm confused

exactly what isn't working

Maybe you just need to create an array from the one you just built
 
Danny,

Aplogies for the lack of information.

You were right in your assumptions - It is a RAID 1 (mirrored) array,
running 2 80 GB SATA Hard drives. The drives are identical.

AFAIK it is a LSI Logic Raid chip - It's a Fujitsu Siemens Econel 40 Server.
It is certainly an LSI Logic Bios that you go into to configure the RAID.

I did a "rebuild" from the BIOS menu. Took a good few hours, and then seemed
to complete, but did not boot correctly. When you remove the new drive from
the array, then the server boots fine.

I am assuming that the array is not properly rebuilding and the data is not
being correctly copied onto the new drive, but it really is an assumption.

Let me know your thoughts,

Regards,

Andrew
 
AS said:
Danny,

Aplogies for the lack of information.
Click to expand...

Obviously you did not check our resident fool out.
You were right in your assumptions -
Click to expand...

Right, obviously the information was there all along if you 'know' your RAIDs.
It is a RAID 1 (mirrored) array,
running 2 80 GB SATA Hard drives. The drives are identical.

AFAIK it is a LSI Logic Raid chip - It's a Fujitsu Siemens Econel 40 Server.
It is certainly an LSI Logic Bios that you go into to configure the RAID.

I did a "rebuild" from the BIOS menu.
Click to expand...
Took a good few hours,
Click to expand...

That sounds like there is either a problem or that it is using a very slow
method of copying and verifying. Since it won't boot, probably the former.
and then seemed to complete, but did not boot correctly. When you
remove the new drive from the array, then the server boots fine.
Click to expand...

Yup, that's what you said earlier.
I am assuming that the array is not properly rebuilding and the data is not
being correctly copied onto the new drive, but it really is an assumption.
Click to expand...

It does appear so.
It also suggests that the controller distributes the reads between the drives.
Let me know your thoughts,
Click to expand...

Oh no, you don't want his thoughts, trust us.
He can't even setup his newsclient properly.
 
Previously AS said:
Danny,
Click to expand...
Aplogies for the lack of information.
Click to expand...
You were right in your assumptions - It is a RAID 1 (mirrored) array,
running 2 80 GB SATA Hard drives. The drives are identical.
Click to expand...
AFAIK it is a LSI Logic Raid chip - It's a Fujitsu Siemens Econel 40 Server.
It is certainly an LSI Logic Bios that you go into to configure the RAID.
Click to expand...
I did a "rebuild" from the BIOS menu. Took a good few hours, and then seemed
to complete, but did not boot correctly. When you remove the new drive from
the array, then the server boots fine.
Click to expand...
I am assuming that the array is not properly rebuilding and the data is not
being correctly copied onto the new drive, but it really is an assumption.
Click to expand...


My advice: Get a different RAID controller, preferrably one that works
(Personal experience: Stay away from Adaptec). The one you have now
seems to be broken or at least hard to use correctly.

Arno
 
Replace the drive, and mark the new one HOT SPARE.
The Raid Controller is supposed to grab it and use
it for the rebuild.
 
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