ML350 G4 - Replacing the broken mirored drive (1+0)

[Khairun Nafis]

Happy New Year to you All,

I got a question for you guys, I have ML350 G4 server that has problem with one of the drives got failed and I intended to replaces them with good one.
I bought HDD 146GB Ultra 320 10K and plan to swap out with SCSI ID 2, 36.4 GB and have the SCSI ID 2, 36.4 GB substitutes the broken one (SCSI ID 0).

When I walked in to Array Configuration Utility 7.15.19.0 I found the information about the failure and the setting of the Raid which is below:
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Smart Array 6400 Controller in Slot 3
Parallel SCSI Array A

??? Parallel SCSI Drive at Port 1 : SCSI ID 0
36.4 GB Parallel SCSI Drive at Port 1 : SCSI ID 1
Logical Drive 1 ( 34727 MB, RAID 1+0 )
Unused Space, ???

Parallel SCSI Array B
36.4 GB Parallel SCSI Drive at Port 1 : SCSI ID 2, Logical Drive 2 ( 34727 MB, RAID 0 )
Parallel SCSI Array C
72.8 GB Parallel SCSI Drive at Port 1 : SCSI ID 3, Logical Drive 3 ( 69459 MB, RAID 0 )
Parallel SCSI Array D
72.8 GB Parallel SCSI Drive at Port 1 : SCSI ID 4,Logical Drive 4 ( 69459 MB, RAID 0 )
Parallel SCSI Array E
72.8 GB Parallel SCSI Drive at Port 1 : SCSI ID 5, Logical Drive 5 ( 69459 MB, RAID 0 )
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And also please find the details diagnose for attached drive below:

Controller Smart Array 6400 Controller
Bus Interface 64-Bit PCI
Controller Location Slot 3

RAID ADG status Enabled
Hardware Revision B
Firmware Version 1.92
Rebuild Priority Low
Expand Priority Low
Current Surface Scan Delay 15 sec
Number of Arrays 5
Number of Logical Drives 5
Number of Physical Drives 6
Physical Drives Attached to Port 1 SCSI ID 0, ( Failed ) (Parallel SCSI)
SCSI ID 1, 36.4 GB (Parallel SCSI)
SCSI ID 2, 36.4 GB (Parallel SCSI)
SCSI ID 3, 72.8 GB (Parallel SCSI)
SCSI ID 4, 72.8 GB (Parallel SCSI)
SCSI ID 5, 72.8 GB (Parallel SCSI)

All Physical Drives Assigned Yes

Array Accelerator
Present Yes
Cache Status Temporarily Disabled
Accelerator Ratio 50% Read /50% Write
Total Memory on Controller 192 MB
Battery Pack Count 2
Battery Status Failed

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My question is:
1. As you can see i got problem the battery pack and intended to replaces them somehow in the near future. Is it okay if I just replaced the broken drive with the good one without replacing the battery with the good one first.
2. I have plan to use the SCSI ID 2, 36.4 GB (Parallel SCSI) which has the same specification like the failed one. Do I need format/empty out the current data (of course I will have backup them up first) and plug her in to the SCSI ID 0 directly? Can I do it while the machines is still running ( to avoid down time)
3. Abouts the mirror drive (1+0)is sit true after I add the new drive in to SCSI ID 0, the mirror will build them self? Do I need to configure them back in to ACU? Do I need to restart the server?

Any helps on this question I really appreciated.

Thanks,

[James ~ Happy Dude · Accepted solution]

Hello Khairun,
1) I would Suggest replacing the battery & then the HDD.
2) You need not format the HDDs. & the HDD can be added while the server is running.
3) Yes it would. If not, you can induce it from the ACU. Restarting the server is not needed.

Refer : http://docs.hp.com/en/J6369-90050/index.html
For more in depth explanations on HP RAID/Smart array controller.

;-) Regards.

[Khairun Nafis]

Hi Happy Dude,

I placed an order for the battery pack but the HP center will need at least 4 weeks to get it deliver to our offices. What would be the consequence if I continued with replacing the failed drive with the good one without having replacing the battery pack first?

Thanks,

[James ~ Happy Dude]

Hello Khairun,
Not much of Difference; The RAID rebuild will be slow without the cache.
I Recommended that, as I take the "ORTHODOX" way when it comes to data.

;) Regards.