Convert RAID1 to RAID5 - Smart Array E200 DL380 G5

[Erick Ribeiro]

I have a DL380 G5 with a Smart Array E200 controller.
I have 2x146GB drives (RAID1).
I have an extra 146GB drive and wish to add to convert the RAID1 to RAID5 seamlessly and without loss of data.

Is this possible ?

The config detail shows:
Smart Array E200 in Slot 3
Bus Interface: PCI
Slot: 3
Serial Number: xxxx
RAID 6 (ADG) Status: Disabled
Controller Status: OK
Chassis Slot:
Hardware Revision: Rev A
Firmware Version: 1.80
Rebuild Priority: Medium
Expand Priority: Medium
Surface Scan Delay: 15 secs
Post Prompt Timeout: 0 secs
Cache Board Present: True
Cache Status: OK
Accelerator Ratio: 100% Read / 0% Write
Drive Write Cache: Disabled
Total Cache Size: 64 MB
Battery Pack Count: 0
SATA NCQ Supported: False

Array: A
Interface Type: SAS
Unused Space: 0 MB
Status: OK

Logical Drive: 1
Size: 136.7 GB
Fault Tolerance: RAID 1
Heads: 255
Sectors Per Track: 32
Cylinders: 35132
Stripe Size: 128 KB
Status: OK
Array Accelerator: Enabled
Unique Identifier: xxxx
Disk Name: /dev/cciss/c0d0
Mount Points: /boot 250 MB
Logical Drive Label: xxx
Mirror Group 0:
physicaldrive 1I:1:3 (port 1I:box 1:bay 3, SAS, 146 GB, OK)
Mirror Group 1:
physicaldrive 1I:1:2 (port 1I:box 1:bay 2, SAS, 146 GB, OK)



Regards,
Erick Aguiar

[Mark Wibaux · Accepted solution]

Without a Battery-backed Write Cache (BBWC) upgrade to the controller you can only do RAID 0/1/1+0.

To support RAID 5 and Online RAID migration requires the BBWC option.
For an E200 in a DL380 you would need to purchase the following part
351580-B21 - 128MB Battery-Backed Write Cache

[Taifur]

Hi Eric,

you can do that on-line via ACU (Array Configuration Utility).

Rgds//
Taifur

[Erick Ribeiro]

And how could I confirm it has the Battery-backed Write Cache (BBWC) ?
Would it be the "Drive Write Cache: Disabled" shown in the config detail ?

Thanks in advance!

[Mark Wibaux]

This part from your initial post is why I assume you don't have the BBWC.

Total Cache Size: 64 MB
Battery Pack Count: 0

BBWC is 128MB and it would also indicate here if there was a battery pack.

Below is a capture from a P400 in one of our servers which definitely has the BBWC installed
Total Memory on Controller 512 MB
Battery Pack Count 1
Battery Status OK

[Erick Ribeiro]

So there's a physical restriction.
I'll try to get a 4th disk and then create an array B with RAID1.

Thanks very much!

[Mark Wibaux]

The following features all require the BBWC

Online Capacity Expansion (with BBWC upgrade)
Online RAID Level Migration (with BBWC upgrade)
Online Stripe Size Migration (with BBWC upgrade)

So as long as you are happy just creating a new array rather than expanding your existing one then all you need is the extra drive. Otherwise for any sort of expansion to the existing array (even if you stay with RAID 1+0) you will need the BBWC.