UCS C22 M3 Software RAID Recover Raid Config

[GolfKingUK]

I have a small business where they had 3 raids configured.  2 drives raid 1, 4 drives raid 5, 2 drives raid 1.

the OS drive, the first one died during a storm.  They replaced the 2 drives and during the reconfiguration they cleared the raid config.  The other 2 configurations are still there.

my question is, how do I import/recover those configs.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[Kirk J]

So there won't really be any 'recovering' of a config, but you will need to recreate a replacement VD/virtual drive with the new drives.

The CIMC should have a storage tab, where you can create another raid 1, and mark it bootable.  See https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/unified_computing/ucs/c/sw/gui/config/guide/2-0/b_Cisco_UCS_C-series_GUI_Configuration_Guide_201/b_Cisco_UCS_C-series_GUI_Configuration_Guide_201_chapter_010011.html#task_9ED8EE8443274014ABCE5995A808320C

There is typically an optionROM post time utility called LSI WebBios, that can also create/modify the raid configuration.  Please see https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/unified_computing/ucs/c/sw/raid/configuration/guide/RAID_GUIDE/MegaRAID.html#79692 

The CIMC GUI method is easier if you have access to it. (probably need old flash enabled web browser on this model of server)

If you are using the embedded 'software' raid controller, see https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/unified_computing/ucs/c/hw/C220/install/C220/raid.html#88713  and https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/unified_computing/ucs/3rd-party/lsi/erswug/guide/48712-00B_EmbMRAID_SWUG.pdf 

Kirk...

[GolfKingUK]

Thanks Kirk,

I have recreated the first (boot) drive with the new drives.  What I need to do is add the old drives virtual 2 and 3..  to get the data off of them.  I have a new server ready to go, but am having issues accessing the old drives cause they don't show in the software raid anymore.  

I will try the CIMC method, I have not as of yet.  Sounds like its more robust?

Thanks!

[Kirk J]

If we are talking about a standard raid controller,,, introducing previous drives that were part of a previous raid config, will show up as a 'foreign config' that can be successfully imported, provided all the members are present.  The metadata written at the beginning of the drives will help the raid controller see what type raid volume, strip size, etc.

I'm not sure how well this works if you are using the embedded controller (software raid).

Also the CIMC doesn't give you an interface into the embedded/software controller

Kirk...