Stupid Question Time: MXe installing RAID drives

[MitelInMyBlood]

We just received a shipment of several MXe systems for which we ordered the RAID option and HDD twin pack, etc. not realizing (or thinking) that the MXe already comes fitted with one 80g drive by default. (Duh..)

Common sense would seem to suggest that since these systems are brand new we really only need to add the 2nd drive (& raid hardware) and then mirror the original drive to the 2nd one. Does anyone see a flaw in this thinking? I haven't found any documentation suggesting otherwise, but thought I'd ask anyway. In any event it would appear I'm going to wind up with a number of spare 80g drives. (The HDD twin-pack is a pair of the same part-# drive as what's in the MXe from the factory).


Thanks.

 

[tlpeter]

It is logic thinking
When you use the two disks you are pretty sure they can fail both quickly next after each other
This can be because of fabrication errors
When you use the one that already is in that risk is smaller
But why already thinking about failure already

Only thing to think about is that the software level is the same !


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[paterson]

As long as they are the same drives, then you are good. If the drives are different in any way, then you the raid will not work. That's been my experience. Even if the drives are the same size, but different models/makes, it will fail. I would suggest keeping two of the drives as 1 full spare replacement.

 

[MitelInMyBlood]

thanks

 

[cknipe]

I used both drives that came with the raid package. I took the original drive out and just considered it a free standby hard drive for the office.

 

[Mitelmatt]

i agree with cknipe. That's what we do also. Saves any issues

 

[MitelInMyBlood]

That's what we're going to do as well. Of course the 2-pack bundle has no O/S on them, but that's readily rectified. I was a little surprised too that all this stuff had to be "field assembled" like a Heathkit. At the end of the day I feel like I have acquired carnal knowledge of the inside of that thing (added E2T 2nd processor expansion kit, echo canceller, DSP, 3 E1/T1 modules, raid, dual drives, extra power supply).

 

[tlpeter]

I did an MXE with raid just two weeks ago and it worked out of the box !
Are you sure there is no software on it ?


ACA - Implement IP Office
ACS - Implement IP Office
ACA - Voice Services Management
______________
Women and cats can do as they please and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea!

 

[MitelInMyBlood]

Yes, there is software on it. It comes with 8.0 on it. But it's the wrong ver of release 8. Since you've got to load S/W anyway it's just as easy to put both of the new drives in. That way if there's any question, both drives not only have the same part number, they also have the same date stamp on them.

What do you do with the spare drive?
(a) leave it with the customer, since it's their property
{b} take it back to the shop & put it in your own inventory
(c) take it home and sell it on eBay

 

[tlpeter]

I thought you said ther wasn't software on it


ACA - Implement IP Office
ACS - Implement IP Office
ACA - Voice Services Management
______________
Women and cats can do as they please and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea!

 

[AH64Armament]

We do the same as described. The kit drives are installed in the controller. The already installed drive goes into the box from the kit. We now have a spare hard drive on the shelf.

As far as having to assemble the controller and its modular componenets, this is one of the things that makes all phone systems affordable. Allows the system to be configured as needed.
Not all the systems require the additional E2T, this will depend on your customers needs. There are factors that play into this... how many E2T Channels are required to support TDM calls. DSP's are the same way. How many Compression licenses do you have or need? Voicemail Ports do you need? etc.

As far as the software load that comes pre-installed. NEVER rely on it. Not that it won't work, it's usually old! Going all the way back, we had systems that were shipped with release 3.2 software when release 4 was available. Systems shipped with release 4.x software when rel 5 was out. Get the picture. This rule follows everything we (as IT professionals) do.
If the device is new from the supplier, then it is old from the manufacturer. Most things take at least 6 months from manufacture to end user use.
With this in mind, check everything and ensure you have the latest software or firmware on everything you install.
We follow this policy at our shop. With ONE exception, this has been a good policy to follow.
Look at it this way, when you crack the box on a new PC or server, how many MS updates are there to be installed?

Mark

 

[Mitprog01]

There is no need to change both drives,only the one.
The latest shipment of these drives is 80G and the main reason two are provided is that older 3300 MXE's only
had 40G drives, as with the spare noe leave it with the
Customer and don't sell it on ebay.

 

[Mitprog01]

There is no need to change both drives,only the one.
The latest shipment of these drives is 80G and the main reason two are provided is that older 3300 MXE's only
had 40G drives, as with the spare one leave it with the
Customer and don't sell it on ebay.