Gen11 MegaRAID initialization

[NJK-Work1]

When setting up a new logical drive (RAID-5 with 4 drives, and one spare) on a new Gen11 server, there are options for fast, full, or no initialization of the logical drive.  It does not seem to force me to pick any of them and just allows me to continue on.  When I boot into WDS to do a deployment, I can see the logical drive - so everything appears to work.  However, I fell like I should be picking "something" and I am not doing something correctly.

On a brand new server with a brand new logical drive, which option (if any) should I be picking?  At what point would I select one of the other options.  Should I be doing an initialization after deleting a logical drives so that it removes all the data?  Or is that a completely unrelated scenario?

Thanks

[Vinky_99 · Accepted solution]

Hello @NJK-Work1 

Good day! 

When setting up a new logical drive on a Gen11 MegaRAID controller, you have three initialization options: fast, full, and no initialization. Each option serves a specific purpose, and the choice you make depends on your specific requirements and constraints. Let me explain each option and when you might choose them:

1. Fast Initialization.

This option initializes the logical drive quickly by just zeroing out the drive's metadata and not the entire drive. It's the fastest option and allows you to start using the logical drive almost immediately. You might choose this option when you're in a hurry to get the system up and running and are willing to accept slightly lower initial performance. However, it's important to note that this method doesn't completely erase any previous data on the drives, so if you have sensitive data or are reusing drives, this might not be the best choice.

2. Full Initialization.

This option performs a thorough initialization of the logical drive by zeroing out the entire drive. It takes longer but ensures that all data on the drive is erased and that the logical drive is in a known, consistent state. You might choose this option when you want to ensure data security and integrity or when setting up a new logical drive on used drives where you want to completely erase any previous data.

3. No Initialization.

This option skips initialization altogether. It's the quickest option but should be used with caution. Choosing this option means that the logical drive will not be zeroed out, and any existing data or metadata on the drives will be retained. You might choose this option when you are reusing drives that already have a known, good configuration, and you want to preserve the existing data. However, be very careful when using this option, as it can lead to data integrity issues if the drives were previously used in a different RAID configuration.

In your scenario, when setting up a brand new logical drive on a brand new server, it's generally safe to choose either Fast or Full Initialization based on your preference. Fast Initialization will allow you to start using the logical drive quickly, while Full Initialization ensures complete data erasure and a clean start.

If you are deleting a logical drive and plan to reuse the drives, it's a good practice to perform a Full Initialization to erase any previous data and ensure a clean slate for the new logical drive configuration.

Always consider your data security and performance needs when making this choice. If you have sensitive data or uncertainty about the drive's history, err on the side of caution and choose Full Initialization to ensure data integrity and security.

I hope this gives some insights. Let me know..

[NJK-Work1]

Thank you for the answer.  I was a little confused since in the past I never had to do an "initialization", for example with the SmartArray in the Gen9/Gen10 models.  We would just create the array/logical drive and it would work immediately with no other steps required.

Thanks again.

[Vinky_99]

@NJK-Work1 

Welcome my friend. 

I understand your confusion, and it's a valid point.

The initialization options you're encountering with the Gen11 MegaRAID controller are specific to that particular controller and may not have been present in previous generations, such as the Gen9/Gen10 SmartArray controllers.

Different RAID controllers and manufacturers may have different default behaviors and options when setting up logical drives. In some cases, as you mentioned, you can create a logical drive, and it will work immediately without explicit initialization.

The presence and behavior of initialization options can vary depending on the RAID controller's firmware and the manufacturer's design choices. These options are typically provided to give administrators more control over the initialization process, particularly when it comes to data security, performance, and reusing drives.

In your case, if you're comfortable with the default behavior of the Gen11 MegaRAID controller and it's working as expected without explicitly selecting an initialization option, you can continue using it that way. Just be aware that the initialization options are available for more fine-grained control if you ever need them, such as when reusing drives or when data security is a concern.

[NJK-Work1]

Thank you - it now makes sense.

[Sunitha_Mod]

Hello @NJK-Work1,

Great! 

We are glad to know your concern has been addressed.