Can I move my HW RAID pools of disks to another system?

[JohnnyCarnage]

So I recently installed windows sbs 2003, and now I've been asked to move the disks that make up the raid array from their current server to another server...

Is this even possible? that is if I take all 5 of my raid 5 disks and controller, and move them over to another server will the server boot the OS, or is it a waste of time? I would like to avoid reinstalling the OS again, however if that's the way it has to be...

 

[Teknoratti]

If you're xferring the HW to a server with the same HW archicture as the old server, then i see no problems.

Windows doesnt recognize HW raid arrays. Thats why if you ever look at Disk Management you will only see one disk.

I think if the HW architecture will allow you to do it then I see no problem.

 

[JohnnyCarnage]

Makes sense. Thanks for your help.

 

[technome]

Agree,if the hardware is a close match it will work (APIC,HAL).
If you do it, make sure your drives remain in the same order, most importantly the drive MUST be on the same channels as they were on the old server. Newer raid adapters handle mixed up drive order on the same channel, older ones balk. Placing the drives on the wrong channels can destroy an array..so mark your drives as to channel and order...black magic marker does alright.

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[58sniper]

Backup everything before attempting!

When you put it on the new machine, you might have to import it in the disk management console.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[compuveg]

I would not rely on this type of transfer to work. Backup your data before the move, and you're guaranteed that if there is a problem you can at least re-create the RAID and restore the backup.

Even if I wouldn't expect this to work, it might. Chances will be improved if you're taking the array controller, disks, and all, from one machine and dropping them into another machine with the same components. Every slight difference in the hardware on server 1 versus server 2 will greatly reduce the chances this will be trouble-free.

Just for the record, sounds like I would recommend reformatting it all anyway. I get the best results with the boot/OS volumes being RAID1, and the data drives being RAID5. That way if I've ever got a hairy operation like what you're suggesting, I can pop out one of the mirrored drives, and if it fails, big whoop. I just drop it back into the original server and let it re-mirror which is WAY faster than restoring any backup.

Good luck, sounds like you'll need it.