Enabling RAID controller after system build

[Jonathan Ross]

We've realized that the RAID controller in a client's production-environment server is disabled (ProLiant DL320 G5), . We'd like to enable the RAID controller in BIOS, and configure a RAID 1 array using the existing disk on which the server's OS and data resides as source, mirroring on to another identical, but unused disk installed in the server.

However, when we attempted to enable the Embedded SATA RAID controller, a warning with the following text appeared:

"Warning: Enabling Software RAID will result in data loss or data corruption on existing SATA drives. Please backup all drives before enabling this feature."

The client doesn't have sufficient backup media to back up the entire server, and we need to try to accomplish implementing RAID 1 without data loss.

Has anyone accomplished "after the fact" RAID implementation in this manner? Does simply enabling the controller really destroy the source drive's data?

Thanks!

-Jonathan

[Michael A. McKenney]

I would be more concerned about the lack of a backup strategy. They needs to be addressed before a storage strategy. I would consider added additional drives to backup to. You don't want to ever attempt a RAID configuration change without sufficient backups. You are only asking for alot of trouble.

1.) Anti-virus/Anti-spyware strategy
2.) Backup / Recovery strategy
3.) Storage Strategy

You protect your data with backups before implementing RAID. RAID is a storage strategy. Catastrophic failure of RAID without a backup is doom.

[Ali]

HI Jonathan,

I have done it on ProLiant ML110 G4 Server but I am not sure whether this will work on DL320 G5.

So, please somehow, manage to take the complete backup before attempting this.


Steps to be taken very carefully :

Control Panel --> Add Hardware Wizard.
Let windows search. (would automatically do so.)
On â Is the Hardware connected ?â Screen ==> Yes , I have already connected the hardware.

On â The following hardware is already installed on your computer.â Screen ==> Choose â Add a new hardware deviceâ .

On â The wizard can help you install other hardwareâ Screen ==> Choose â Install the hardware that I manually select from the list (Advanced) â

On â From the list below, select the type of hardware you are installingâ Screen ==> Choose â SCSI and Raid controllersâ

it may list two devices

On â Select the device driver you want to install for this hardwareâ Screen ==> Click on Have Disk Button.

Browse and point towards the location where we have extracted the HP Embedded SATA RAID Controller Driver for Windows 2000/Windows Server 2003 drivers.

We need to repeat the steps for both the drivers.

Adaptec Processor Device (Pseudo).
Adaptec Serial ATA Host Raid.

We might get a message â The device cannot start. (code 10) ==> This is OK.

Finally verify in device manager that both drivers are there under â SCSI and Raid Controllersâ
Please note : you may see the esclamation mark next to it.. this is OK as your hardware is not enabled from bios.

Once the driver for HP Embedded SATA RAID Controller Driver is installed. Please Enable the raid functionality from the System Bios.

Steps are as follows:

Power up the server. If the server is already powered, save all data, exit all open applications, and restart.

During POST, press the F10 key to launch BIOS Setup Utility.

In the Advanced menu screen, select Advanced Chipset Control.

Select the Serial ATA field to Enabled.

Select the SATA Controller Mode Option>Enhanced field.

Set the SATA RAID Enable field to Enabled.

Press F10, then select Yes to save the changes and close BIOS Setup Utility. The server automatically reboots.

Create a RAID volume:

Press F8 to activate the RAID Configuration Utility:

From the menu, select Array Configuration Utility.

From the array configuration utility menu, select Create Array. On the Array Properties menu appears, Select the RAID level that you want to create, and press the Enter key.

Select one of the options listed under the Create Using heading.

For Raid : "Migrate" Creating a RAID 0 array when you want to preserve data on an existing drive. If you select this option, you are asked to designate the source drive. The contents of the source drive are preserved and any data on the new drive is lost.

For Raid 1: "Build" Creating a RAID 1 array when you want to preserve data on an existing drive. If you select this option, you are asked to designate the source drive. The contents of the source drive are preserved and any data on the new drive is lost.

NOTE: Please ensure that the source drive is the one on which OS was initially installed.

Making the array bootable

From the main menu of the array configuration utility, select Manage Arrays, and press the Enter key.

select the array, and press the Ctrl+B keys. An asterisk appears next to the array to indicate that it is bootable.

Now server should boot to operating system.

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Please note : I had implemented this after lot of R&D long time back on HP ProLiant ML110 G4 Server and it worked sucessfully. However, I'm not sure if you get the same options as listed. if you do this might work else there is no way to do it, take complete backup, create array and restore backup is above steps don't seems to be going as they supposed to be.

thanks,
Aftab