need to format a VA7100

[moonchild]

Hi,

Am looking for a step by step procedure on how to format and recreate my VA. at the same time I will upgrade its firmware.

should i do that from the OS or vfp?

thanks in advance

[Torsten.]

Now I understand your post in the other thread.

If you format the array, there is no LUN0. Without a LUN 0, the commandview software can't find the device. For this reason you must create a LUN 0 (~10MB) using the serial connection.

Read and follow the instruction while updating to HP22 firmware, you need a current commandview version (1.09.02).

[Arend Lensen]

I think the VA firmware will create a certain kind of (virtual?)lun 0 after being formatted so that command view can see the device.

You can also use the serial port to issue the FMT command. Make sure you specify the full "yes" on the question "are you sure?"

[moonchild]

any recommendations from an OS point of view. Do I need to shutdown the OS or vgexport my VGs that already resides on the VA before formatting?

because currently am not able to rebuild the array after a bad disk replacement. it always fail with rebuild failed and a warning a missing disk which is the old disk.

[Torsten. · Accepted solution]

If you format the VA, all data will be lost and need to be restored.

From the host point of view, better to remove all VGs (vgexport) and device files before formatting the VA.

The VA does NOT create a "virtual" LUN 0, you have to do this using the serial connection [~10MB - don't use for data).

Re-create the LUNs, VGs, LVOLs ... and restore your data.

[moonchild]

Would I need to run armdiscover after formatting?

[Arend Lensen]

Could be that you need to run armdiscover but you will notice if cvsdm cannot find it.
It can also be that -when using windows- you might need to run "scan for hardware changes" or even must reboot to (re)gain access to the array.