SCSI drive missing in Array on a non existing ID

[jappiehenk]

We have a HP Proliant ML350 G4 with a Smart array 641 controller. There are 4 HP Ultra 320 10K SCSI Harddrives in raid 5 with an online spare.
A couple of days ago I got a predictive Failure on one of the drives, so I ordered a new HDD. I got a 15K model but that was no problem according to my reseller. The case is that the controller is showing my array now with a missing hdd on ID6, but I do only have ID0-ID5 and when I replace the broken HDD it isn`t automaticly added to my array. I also can`t delete the physical non existing HDD on ID6. I already updated al drivers/software.

[jappiehenk]

Hereby an picture of the array in ACU.

[gregersenj · Accepted solution]

Yes.
From what I have been reading on this forum etc. This seem to be a problem with older FW on the Smart Array 6Xxx, it is assigning a wrong non existing ID to a drive, at some point.
Then if that drive fail, it can't rebuild.

If you search this forum, you will find a couple of threads on this issue.

A problem is, that the Smart Array is waiting for a nnew drive to be installed, in you case on ID6, wich you do no have. It will only rebiuld to that ID.....
So you got a problem.

Under all circumstances. Upgrade the Firmware.
That won't fix the problem, from what I have read.
But You have done that.

How can you solve this?

1. Delete everything, create a new array, and restore everything :(

2. You can move all disks to a HDD box, wich got more bays, incl. ID6

3. Add a spare drive more to the array, and leave it forever with drive ID6 missing.

Maybe someone else may know a better solution?

BR
/jag

[jappiehenk]

Thanks for the reply gregersenj. I rather not delete everything and another hdd box I don`t have, so maybe the thirth option is the best of the wurst. But in ACU Idon`t get an option to add the unassigned drive to the array. And in the CLI mode it doesn`t respond on the add command. So my question is are there anymore options to try and add the unassigned hdd to the logical drive?
I also tried it with the newest smartstart cd but also no options. Any suggestions?

[gregersenj]

Here is something, that i have never tryed to do myself!!!

I have just read the Array Configration Utility manual.

There is an option called shrink the array.
it's not well documentet.
Do try to find out more continouing.

Just adding the drive will not solve the problem.

But IF !! this works how I believe, and if it is supportet on the SA641.
Then you could add drive ID5, and then thrink, removing ID6.
But you must investigate futher.

[gregersenj]

The 641 do support multible spare drives.

Here's the link to the manual.
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&contentType=SupportManual&docIndexId=64255&prodTypeId=329290&prodSeriesId=3745263〈=en&cc=us

[jappiehenk]

Thanks for the replies. I`ve seen those options in ACU cli and tried them too, but in some way I can`t add a drive and can`t delete the non-existing hdd. In ACU I can`t

find the add function(see attached screenshots). And in ACU cli it gives me errors (see attached txt). So I could really use some advise, many thanks in advance.

I also tried ACU from the latest smartstartcd, but no luck too.

[Pieter 't Hart]

I would try :
- power down the server (including cables)
- remove all drives
- power up the server
- clear the raid-config (all empty)
- power-down
- reinstall disks
- power-up
the raid-controller will re-read the old raid-config from the disks, so the system should be up and running fast.
and maybe the phantom drive will be gone then.

No data is supposed to get lost, but it's allways good to make a backup first.

[jappiehenk]

Thanks for your advise, I will try it soon and let you know if this succeeds.

[jappiehenk]

Hello Pieter, The steps as described didn`t work because I couldn`t delete anything when I removed all the drives and powered up the server again. Not under F8 and nothing in the ACU of the smartstart cd. The system doesn`t let you delete anything because there are no disks and therefore no array config. After rebooting with the disks again there hasn`t changed a thing, I still have a Phantom drive on ID6.

Are there other solutions or have I done something wrong? Please help.