Recovering a server from a previous array and drives...

[Mike Yates]

Hello all - here's our problem:

We have a ProLiant DL380 with 8x146GB drives in a single logical ADG array (drive 8 is a hot spare).  We needed to modify the system to have two logical arrays with 8 new 300GB drives (2x300 mirrored and 6x300 RAID5 + HS).  We backed up (using Acronis) the server, tested the backup - all good.  Pulled the old drives, put in the new drives and reconfigured the array to the two logical drives solution we needed.  So far so good.  Go to restore and our multi-tested backup is corrupted.  The  image is unrecoverable apparently.

So here's my question:  Can I somehow recover the server using the original 8x146GB drives?  I have them marked and know which drive goes in which slot.  However when I reset the array back to the single logical drive and then added the old drives in, the server thinks the config is invalid and wants me to recreate the array - thereby erasing the only source of data I have available to me.

What can I do to get this machine back functional without losing all the data?

Thanks for any help!

[LouisH]

Mike,

This may be late but I would power down server. Remove "good original" disks, reboot server and on POST screen right after SmartArray is being tested you should get a message to press F8 to configure the array controller. The disks should STILL be out of the server!!! Once in ACU, delete the saved configuration and exit back out of ACU.

Power down server, remove power cords, wait 1 minute then replace power cords, Insert original disks in exact order and then boot up server. You should see smartarray updating configuration logical drive count and continue booting up.

The drives are interogated during a cold boot. If configuration stored on Smartarray is different, the system board is checked. If that is different, the server falls back to the configuration on the disks. If all disks match, the system and array controller set their information to match and boot up.

Regards,

Louis

[Jimmy Vance]

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@Mike Yates wrote:

Hello all - here's our problem:

We have a ProLiant DL380 with 8x146GB drives in a single logical ADG array (drive 8 is a hot spare).  We needed to modify the system to have two logical arrays with 8 new 300GB drives (2x300 mirrored and 6x300 RAID5 + HS).  We backed up (using Acronis) the server, tested the backup - all good.  Pulled the old drives, put in the new drives and reconfigured the array to the two logical drives solution we needed.  So far so good.  Go to restore and our multi-tested backup is corrupted.  The  image is unrecoverable apparently.

So here's my question:  Can I somehow recover the server using the original 8x146GB drives?  I have them marked and know which drive goes in which slot.  However when I reset the array back to the single logical drive and then added the old drives in, the server thinks the config is invalid and wants me to recreate the array - thereby erasing the only source of data I have available to me.

What can I do to get this machine back functional without losing all the data?

Thanks for any help!

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The Smart Array RAID configuration information is stored on each disk in the array, not in the controller. If the system was powered down and the original drives removed, you should be able to put the original disks back in the system. It should recognise the array(s) during POST and boot.

[LouisH]

Jimmy,

I think if you check on where the array configuration is stored, it will be both disks AND controller.

An HP whitepaper about splitting/breaking mirrors supports this statment.

Regards,

Louis

[Jimmy Vance]

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LouisH wrote:

Jimmy, 

I think if you check on where the array configuration is stored, it will be both disks AND controller.

 An HP whitepaper about splitting/breaking mirrors supports this statment.

 Regards,

 Louis

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Nope, the array information is just stored in the RIS area on each disk. During POST the controller queries the disks for the raid configuration.