ibm servraid 5i how to reconfigure after server crash

[philippec]

Hello,
I've 2 ibm xSeries x345 with 1 servraid 5i (firmware V6.10) on each server, 4 disks for each server : 2 for the OS (Linux RedHat 9) and 2 for the datas. The configuration of the data's disks is : 1 array with 1 partition with RAID 1.

If a server crash, I want to take the 2 data's disks, plug it in the other (backup) server, and mount it.
The pb is that the 2 new disk aren't recognize by the backup server.
At boot time, with CTRL+I I can synchronize disk definition and servRaid configuration but the 2 new disks are only seen has READY, not ONLINE like the other 4 existant disks. And the partition is not defined.

Can'I do that ? if so what I'm doing wrong ? and sorry for this bad english ;-)

 

[lingyun]

copy configuration from driver, you can do this from min configurator or serveraid management. this operation will not affect your data stored in the disk.

 

[philippec]

Yes it's what I did, after I reboot the backup server, he has rebuild the 2 arrays with the 2 os disks, and the 2 old data's disks, but the 2 new disks are not sen from the os point of vue, and from the servraid management, they are seen as READY but not ONLINE.
Is there another action to do for they come ONLINE ? Thanks

 

[philippec]

Before OS boot, with CTRL+I I tried to import configuration information from drive. I don't know if that action ask every disks (I would like it ask the 2 news) or just the 4 it already know ? Any idea ? Thanks

 

[catorze]

NO!!! In order for this to work as you want, you have to create two arrays. The data drives must be in their own array. As you have it configured, they are two drives of a single array. To move them successfully to the other server, you would have to move all the drives (4) from the array to the other server. Since you only want to move the data drives, they have to e a separate array, then Ctrl+I > Advanced > Import configuration from Drives would work.

 

[philippec]

Yes, I have 2 arrays on each server : one array for the OS with 2 disks, and one array for the datas with 2 disks. The x345 has only 6 'slots' for the disks. So I can't move the 4 disks from the first server to the second, because there is place only for 2 disks !
When I move the array of 2 data's disks, and try to import configuration, the 2 new disks are seen as READY but not ONLINE. Why ?

 

[catorze]

Does each server's data array contain different data? From your initial description, I was under the impression that only the OS disks would remain in the system. If you have different data on each server's data array, then you cannot accomplish what you are seeking in the means you are trying to accomplish it. A better solution would be to implement a RAID 5 Array with a Hot-Spare. The scenario you describe - catastrophic server failure is a remote possibility. The x345 has the capacity for redundancy in most subsystems as well as Predictive Failure Analysis on many components. A comprehensive Backup/Recover scheme is more appropriate. I suspect that if you completely lost a server, you would most likely also have other issues that would need to be addressed, like network functionality, power, fire, etc. With a comprehensive Backup/Recovery Plan, you could completely replace the hardware and have access to your current data by the time the other issues were resolved.

 

[philippec]

Yes, each server's data array contain different data. If a server crash, I would like to take the data's array from this server to plug it into the other. I don't understand why this is not possible if the configuration of the card can be updated by information written on the disks (import configuration). Can you explain that ?
You are right about RAID5. Considering restoring data from tape, I haven't enough time to do that, that's why I would take the 2 disks, and plug it in the other server, wich is faster.
Thanks for your help.