topic Replace non-failed hard drive in Array in ProLiant Servers (ML,DL,SL)

Replace non-failed hard drive in Array

UKMark — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 12:27:50 GMT

I have a HP ProLiant ML350 G6 server with a HDD that is giving media errors. The drive itself isn't failed, but it is failing - confirmed by HP Support.

I have lots of expereince replacing failed hard drives in arrays, but I have never replaced a running drive.

Do I need to take the drive offline before I remove it, or do I just rip it out as you would a failed drive?

Re: Replace non-failed hard drive in Array

scharchouf — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:48:05 GMT

the first think is which type of raid you have.

how many HDD on this RAID?

Re: Replace non-failed hard drive in Array

Torsten. — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 16:43:30 GMT

An older smart array guide is telling:

If the array is configured for fault tolerance,
all other drives in the array are online, and a predictive
failure alert is received or a drive capacity upgrade is in
progress, the drive can be replaced online.

This is still true. Just pull the drive and replace it.

Re: Replace non-failed hard drive in Array

UKMark — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 01:24:21 GMT

Thanks a lot to both of you for your help.

For clarity if anyone else reads this in the future, the config is RAID 5 - with 5 drives. (Inherited - and will be changed soon)

I did just rip the drive out on your advice, and it worked fine. The new drive is rebuilding as we speak.