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From: Allyn on 19 Apr 2010 13:09
I wasn't really sure where to post this, and I realize it isn't a Windows
issue, but... We have two Dell servers (PowerEdge 2900 and PowerEdge 2900
II), but running Windows 2003. Both servers have a RAID 1 for OS and a RAID 5
for Data. I'd like to take the RAID 5 off the old server and move to the new
server and retain all data. Yes, I do have a backup, but I'd prefer not to
have to restore. I understand RAID data is written to the drives, so I
thought maybe I could do this with little headache, but I don't have a system
to try this on. Does anyone know if this will work? Thanks
From: Dave Patrick on 19 Apr 2010 13:27
If the controller is going with the disks you might have a chance.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

"Allyn" wrote:
>I wasn't really sure where to post this, and I realize it isn't a Windows
> issue, but... We have two Dell servers (PowerEdge 2900 and PowerEdge 2900
> II), but running Windows 2003. Both servers have a RAID 1 for OS and a
> RAID 5
> for Data. I'd like to take the RAID 5 off the old server and move to the
> new
> server and retain all data. Yes, I do have a backup, but I'd prefer not to
> have to restore. I understand RAID data is written to the drives, so I
> thought maybe I could do this with little headache, but I don't have a
> system
> to try this on. Does anyone know if this will work? Thanks

From: David Kerber on 19 Apr 2010 13:40
In article <8C9845D9-E5EC-4A6D-8054-2306C1142F07(a)microsoft.com>,
Allyn(a)discussions.microsoft.com says...
>
> I wasn't really sure where to post this, and I realize it isn't a Windows
> issue, but... We have two Dell servers (PowerEdge 2900 and PowerEdge 2900
> II), but running Windows 2003. Both servers have a RAID 1 for OS and a RAID 5
> for Data. I'd like to take the RAID 5 off the old server and move to the new
> server and retain all data. Yes, I do have a backup, but I'd prefer not to
> have to restore. I understand RAID data is written to the drives, so I
> thought maybe I could do this with little headache, but I don't have a system
> to try this on. Does anyone know if this will work? Thanks

If you've got the same RAID controller on both machines, it will
probably work, but I wouldn't have a clue as to the steps or gotcha's
you need to watch for.


From: Grant Taylor on 19 Apr 2010 23:25
Allyn wrote:
> Does anyone know if this will work?

If you were using a Compaq (now HP) SmartArray RAID controller, I would
say sure. SmartArray controllers have the ability to detect arrays on
drives and ""import it. Depending on the age of the SmartArray, you may
need the help of an external SmartArray utility to tell you to
re-arrange the drives in the array (slots in an enclosure).
(SmartArray's do lots of nifty things like this, including changing RAID
levels on the fly while data is being accessed.)

Seeing as how you are using a Dell server, I'm betting that you have a
PowerEdge RAID Controller (P.E.R.C.). I'm use to P.E.R.C.s being
rebranded LSI MegaRAID cards. However in the rebranding, functionality
is sometimes removed (cheaper firmware). Combine that with (from what I
remember) iffy chances of doing that on an LSI MegaRAID, I'm not going
to hold my breath.

That being said, you might be able to create a new RAID (*WITHOUT*
erasing the data) in the new server using identical settings you might
get things to lay over top and "just work" (TM). I would make sure that
the RAID cards are the same model and same firmware revision before
attempting this. Also make sure that the RAID is optimal.

As an aside, if you have three spare drives, you could build a scratch
RAID (partition it, format it, put a "Bob is your uncle" text file on
it) and see if you can move it with out any problems. If you can move
the scratch RAID, chances are better that you can move your production
RAID too.

You should be able to disconnect all the drives in the RAID and boot the
system with no ill effect. (I've done this many times on many different
RAID controllers.) The idea being that the RAID is completely off line
and the card won't try to initiate recovery or any thing like that.
(Think of this as if your drives were in an external cabinet that was
powered off or disconnected.) Note, disconnect the drives while the
system is off, or the RAID card will very likely try to initiate
recovery procedures.



Grant. . . .
From: Allyn on 20 Apr 2010 00:09


"Grant Taylor" wrote:

> Allyn wrote:
> > Does anyone know if this will work?
>
> If you were using a Compaq (now HP) SmartArray RAID controller, I would
> say sure. SmartArray controllers have the ability to detect arrays on
> drives and ""import it. Depending on the age of the SmartArray, you may
> need the help of an external SmartArray utility to tell you to
> re-arrange the drives in the array (slots in an enclosure).
> (SmartArray's do lots of nifty things like this, including changing RAID
> levels on the fly while data is being accessed.)
>
> Seeing as how you are using a Dell server, I'm betting that you have a
> PowerEdge RAID Controller (P.E.R.C.). I'm use to P.E.R.C.s being
> rebranded LSI MegaRAID cards. However in the rebranding, functionality
> is sometimes removed (cheaper firmware). Combine that with (from what I
> remember) iffy chances of doing that on an LSI MegaRAID, I'm not going
> to hold my breath.
>
> That being said, you might be able to create a new RAID (*WITHOUT*
> erasing the data) in the new server using identical settings you might
> get things to lay over top and "just work" (TM). I would make sure that
> the RAID cards are the same model and same firmware revision before
> attempting this. Also make sure that the RAID is optimal.
>
> As an aside, if you have three spare drives, you could build a scratch
> RAID (partition it, format it, put a "Bob is your uncle" text file on
> it) and see if you can move it with out any problems. If you can move
> the scratch RAID, chances are better that you can move your production
> RAID too.
>
> You should be able to disconnect all the drives in the RAID and boot the
> system with no ill effect. (I've done this many times on many different
> RAID controllers.) The idea being that the RAID is completely off line
> and the card won't try to initiate recovery or any thing like that.
> (Think of this as if your drives were in an external cabinet that was
> powered off or disconnected.) Note, disconnect the drives while the
> system is off, or the RAID card will very likely try to initiate
> recovery procedures.
>
>
>
> Grant. . . .
> .
>

Thanks all for your posts. We've decided to purchase additional drives, so
we'll just start from scratch.
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