Xserve-RAID set up

I am a photographer and I am setting up an Xserve RAID system that I have had for a little while to store my photographs. Can anybody help suggest the best RAID level. My sense is telling me that for photographs I need to Mirror so Level 1. I have 7 drives so can I mirror a set of three drives which takes up 6 drives and have one drive left as a "hot Spare"?
Thank you for your time....

Why do you want to mirror your storage?
Without more information I would suggest RAID 5 by reflex. It will give you the most storage - a 6 disk RAID 5 will give you disksize* 5 storage and it will protect your data if a drive fails. And if a drive fails the 7th disk hot-spare will be automatically be used to rebuild the RAID data.
You will not be protected if more than one drive fails simultaneously - that's what back-up is for. Mirrored RAID is NOT a back-up plan. It will not protect you against disk corruption or accidental deletion (that will be mirrored immediately) nor does it protect you against water being poured on the RAID box or someone stealing it or fire or whatever... Only back-up protects you against these things.
There are legitimate reasons to run mirrored RAID but back-up is not one of them. If your reasons are sound (and you are doing back-up in addition to mirroring) then your plan is certainly doable but make sure your reasons are the right ones.
HTH,
=Tod

Similar Messages

  • Basic Xserve Raid Set Up Help

    Please excuse the newbie question I have looked on the forum and cant quite find the info I need.
    Can someone give me a step by step guide to setting up an Xserve raid please.
    We have 2 G5s each running Final Cut Pro. We have just purchased a 7TB Xserve raid from Apple Refurb.
    We would like a very simple set up where each G5 uses half of the Xserve. We do not have a fibre switch at this point - we do not need to share media however we will add this later.
    So our initial requirement is a very basic 2xG5 each with a single fibre connection to each half of the Xserve. Sounds easy but . . .
    We connected one of the G5s to both fibre ports in order to just set up the drives, once done we will simply disconnect one fibre cable and connect to the other G5.
    We thought that the Xserve would be pre-configured to raid 5, which is what we would like to use. However upon connection there was a message that the drives were not readable and needed to be initialised. (the standard apple message if drive is not formatted)
    We ignored this message and went to the drive utility to see if we could mount the drives and although it sees two drives, (each just under 3TB) as you would expect, it seems they are not mountable. (Since the drive utility saw 2 drives I assume that they are preconfigured to a raid)
    So I looked in the raid utility and the only option is to 'add system'. If I click this I get a dialogue box asking for address and password. I understand the 'private' 'public' password and used the host computers IP address as there is no network.
    I thought that this would take us through to the set up that allows you to create arrays and raid types etc.
    So I am a bit stuck.
    If the drives are preconfigured to raid 5 how can I mount them ? as that would be the simple config we need.
    Or do I need to start from scratch ? Hence my request for a step by step guide.
    best wishes and thanks for your help in advance
    Neil

    I can't speak to exactly how the Xserve RAID comes from refurb but in general there are two steps to using the RAID.
    1) Create the RAIDs on the machines. (This takes some 30+ hours.)
    2) Format the new volumes. (This takes 2 minutes.)
    Assuming the RAID came configured RAID 5 on each side and *you didn't shuffle the drive order* then they should still be configured and available that way. Apple doesn't assume that you are going to use the Xserve RAID with HFS+ formatting - they don't even assume you're going to use it with a Mac so I think the volumes are probably unformatted. My guess is that you are between steps 1 and 2 and you will need to choose the volumes in Disk Utility and format them to HFS+ (but probably not journalled if you are doing video work) and partition them.
    You can get and set the actual RAID information using the Java tool RAID Admin.
    You can (and should) connect to one of the ethernet ports on RAID unit, but the computer you connect will need to be in the same IP range (probably 169.254..) to get to the first time and run RAID Admin. This is how you can set-up, tweak and check the status of your RAID through software. This is also where you can set the IP of the RAID to be more in-line with your computers local network if you're using something different.
    HTH,
    =Tod

  • Expanding XServe RAID set - stuck at 99%

    We have an XServe RAID.  One side had a RAID 5 set consisting of 6x500GB HDD's.  We came to within 60Gb of filling it up and therefore initiated expansion of RAID set to 7th drive on Saturday.  This was progressing 1% / 40 mins.  We calculated that it would not complete before Monday when users would start hammering it, but after testing it, it seemed to be working perfectly fine while expanding.  Writing/reading speed did not seem to be noticeably affected and we decided that all seemed well.
    Monday started off well.  Not not a single user noticed reduced speed or any other problems - This was until about 3pm when the file server hosting AFP & SMB crashed!  Not good!  Upon restart, the RAID set would not mount again.
    RAID Admin shows the expansion at 99%.   I was hoping that the RAID set could be mounted again once it completed to 100%, but it does not seem like this will be happening anytime soon - it has been stuck on 99% for about 6 hours now and I don't know when/if it will ever finish.  (Previously 1% every 40mins)
    The fibre channel preference pane shows "Link Established" to the XServe RAID, similarly the RAID Utility shows "Link Up" to server.  The RAID, however, does not appear in Disk Utility - even after restarts.
    Does anyone out there have experience expanding a RAID Set on an XServe RAID?  Does it usually stall at 99%?  How long does it take to finish once it has reached 99%?
    Is there anything I can do to try and get the RAID Set mounted before it finishes its expansion?  It's now 8pm here (GMT+8) and users have finished for the day, but we only have about 12 hours before it needs to be up and running again!
    I am out of ideas to try.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks

    Curiously, more output from the above-mentioned 3rd party tool gives:
    $ ./xserve-raid-info
    Use of uninitialized value in string at ./xserve-raid-info line 655.
    Use of uninitialized value in string at ./xserve-raid-info line 655.
    Use of uninitialized value in string at ./xserve-raid-info line 655.
    Use of uninitialized value in string at ./xserve-raid-info line 655.
    Name: Xserve-RAID
    States:
      RAIDs: optimal
      Components: optimal
      Fibre Channel: optimal
      Network: warning
    Warnings:
      The top network link is down.
    Upper Controller Info:
      Status: ok
      Firmware Version: 1.5.1f2/50
      Up Time: 262 days 1 hr
      Temperature: 75.2 deg F
      Write Cache: disabled
      Prefetch Size: 8 stripes (512 KB/disk)
      Fibre Channel: link up
        Topology: arbitrated loop
        Speed: 2Gb/sec
      Network: link down
        IP Address: 192.168.30.11
        Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
    Lower Controller Info:
      Status: ok
      Firmware Version: 1.5.1f2/50
      Up Time: 262 days 1 hr
      Temperature: 82.4 deg F
      Write Cache: disabled
      Prefetch Size: 8 stripes (512 KB/disk)
      Fibre Channel: link up
        Topology: arbitrated loop
        Speed: 2Gb/sec
      Network: link up
        IP Address: 192.168.30.21
        Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
    In RAID Admin, I've added systems using 192.168.30.11 (supposedly - link down).
    I can NOT connect using 192.168.30.21 - it says incorrect password even though I know I am entering the correct one...

  • Clarification on how to use Xserve Raid and Fibre Channel without xsan.

    First let me apologize for not responding earlier to your response, I tend to get busy and then forget to check back here.
    Tod, the answer to your question is No, only one computer is accessing the xserve raid files at any one time and that is via Fibre Channel. However I do have the xserve raids set up as share points via ethernet.
    Maybe I should turn that off and only access the files with the one computer that can connect via fibre channel.
    I never thought of that. I will try that while I await for your answer, thanks again.
    Todd Buhmiller
    I have the following setup:
    Xserve: 2x2Ghz Dual Core Intel Xeon, 5Gb of Ram, Running 10.5.8 Leopard Server
    Xserve Raid with firmware version 1.5.1/1.51c on both controllers, and
    Qlogic Sanbox 5600
    Apple Fibre Channel Cards in Xserve, and Mac Pro Tower; Apple 2 Port 4Gbs Fibre Channel Card
    Mac Pro Tower-Quad Core Intel Xeon 2.8Ghz, 16Gb of Ram, Running Snow Leopard 10.6.4
    Here is the problem.
    The directory for the xserve raids keep getting corrup, and I use disc warrior to rebuild them. Is there a way to keep the directories from getting corrupt? I am a few pieces of equipment before I can build an Xsan as that is the ultimate goal, but until then, I just need to be able to have the raids funciton as storage without having to rebuild the directories all of the time.
    Anybody have any suggestions?
    Thanks
    Todd Buhmiller
    Widescreen Media
    Calgary, Alberta Canada
    Tod Kuykendall
    Posts: 1,237
    From: San Diego
    Registered: Oct 11, 2000
    Re: Xserve Raid Mounts, Corrupt Directory tired of rebuilding directory
    Posted: Jun 27, 2010 1:25 PM in response to: Todd Buhmiller
    Are multiple computers accessing the same data on the RAID at the same time?
    If so then NO. This is the source of your data corruption and I'm surprised if you were able to get all your data back every time if this is how you've been running your system. Each fibre channel assumes it has full and sole control of every volume it has mounted, no data arbitration is practiced and data corruption will occur if this assumption is wrong.
    The only way this set-up will work is to use partitions or LUN masks so the volumes are accessed by one computer at any time. As long as one computer relinquishes control before another mounts it you will dodge arbitration issues but this is a dangerous game. If you screw up and mount an already mounted volume - and there is no easy way to tell if a volume is mounted - corruption will then occur. Sharing data simultaneous at fibre speeds is what XSAN does and to do this you need it.
    HTH,
    =Tod
    Intel Xserve, G5 XServes, XRAID, Promise

    +The xserve raids will mount automatically to any computer that I connect the qlogic fc switch to+
    This is source of the corruption to your data. Any computer that attaches to a drive/partition via fibre channel assumes that it alone is in control of the drive and data corruption is inevitable.
    +Is that the issue, should I disconnect the xserve from the fc switch and leave it connected via ethernet?+
    Short answer: YES. The ethernet connections are fine because the server is controlling the file arbitration through the sharing protocol. Fibre channel connections assumes complete control over the partition and no arbitration of the file access is performed. It's like two people independently driving trying to drive the same car to different locations.
    Depending on your set-up it is possible for the two machines to see and use different parts of the Xserve RAID storage but they cannot access the same areas without SAN doing the arbitration.
    Hope that's clear,
    =Tod

  • XServe RAID connected to Video Editing Station via Ethernet -Fibre question

    I'm looking into switching from ethernet connections from our three desktop systems to the Xserve Raid set up we currently have to fibre. I can't seem to get a clear answer as to if it is possible to just add the cards and cables to the switch we have or if I would have to go the XSAN route in order to have fibre as the direct connection to the RAIDs...
    I'm a photographer, not an IT person so please feel free to speak down to my level... : )

    In theory GigE ether allows for 1000 Mb/s with a theoretical throughput of 125MB/s and 2GB Fibre is about 70% faster than that at 1700 Mb/s with 212.5 MB/s of throughput.
    Now the big differences are that TCP/IP is not optimized for steady stream delivery and you're sharing the connection over a single server that works to schedule fairly and parcel out resources among users. Fibre is a single connection designed to stream data to you so you get to use a lot more of your fibre bandwidth then you do over GigE. At this point the 7 drive array is not able to saturate the fibre so you won't test the theoretical limits of the bandwidth because of the headroom in the system. At max throughput I would expect the drives are putting out something in the range of ~100-130MB/s so even with a direct connection that is your max.
    If I was forced to guesstimate I would think you would be getting somewhere between 3-4x faster throughput over fibre. You're certainly more likely to hit the upper-limit of max drive output over fibre so if you say you're getting 100 MB/s over fibre and 25 MB/s over ether then that's about right. If your ether is <20MB/s then it's theoretically possible you could see a 5-6x improvement. Maybe you should test your ether with some transfers and see what your through-put is to make your own estimations.
    If an 80GB file takes 55 minutes that then that's about 25MB/s. If you could bring that down by a factor of 3 then that would be 36 minutes of saved - and hopefully billable - time. But if you're getting 40 MB/s a 80GB file would take 35 minutes and then your max savings is probably 15 or 20 minutes and it becomes less compelling depending on how many times a day you do it.
    +You've been very generous with your time answering all of my questions, thank you again.+
    You're welcome, hope it all works out for you,
    =Tod
    PS Remember that large single files get much better throughput than many small files on transfer tests. Also you might want to do your own math on what time = what throughput too. Those numbers were off the top of my head.

  • Looking for some ideas for setting up and xServe RAID

    Everyone,
    Here is what I would to do. I have a new xServe and 7TB RAID. I would like to set all of my end users up with Portable Home Directories. They all have laptops and I would like to use their PHD as my backup source. I would set them to sync in the background a couple of times per day and then write to tape at night.I have about 60 end users. I would also like to use the same xServe and RAID as my Kerio mail server and mail store. What I am looking for is some ideas of how to go about setting up the RAID. I was orginially thinking of setting up as one big RAID 5 using all 14 drives. What I would like to know is what is the number of drives that would need to fail that would render the RAID unrebuildable? I am now thinking about splitting the RAID into two 7 drives in RAID set up as RAID 1+0.
    I am not sure if I phrased a lot of this currently, but here is quick recap of what I would like to know. What would be the best way to set up a 7TB RAID to store PHD and my Kerio mail store that provides me the most redudant and fastest acccess.
    Thanks in advance.
    Sincerely,
    Daniel Krajc

    Daniel,
    I'd suggest a 6 disk RAID 5 plus a hot spare for each side. It will give you about 2.4 TB capacity per side (4.8 total), and it can tolerate 2 drive failures per side without losing data, provided there is sufficient time between failures for the RAID set to automatically rebuild on the hot spare. This window is 8-12 hours.
    Note with Xserve RAID the two sides are totally independent in the data path -- it will look like 2 separate LUNs. If you want to combine these at the host level, as RAID 0 or RAID 1 to look like a single volume, you can. But the Xserve RAID will not combine them itself... the RAID controllers are independent... it might as well be two separate RAID volumes in the same chassis.
    I assume you'll plug this into an Xserve that is serving as an Open Directory server and a file server?

  • Help on Setting up Xserve Raid

    In our department we have three MacPro's, and one G5 Quad. We want to add an Xserve Raid to store and serve hi-res image files to each workstation. There is a company wide network (intranet) to which we have aready added the workstations, along with printers, however our IT people do not support the Mac platform and we are on our own as far as getting the Xserve Raid in the mix.
    I am looking for advice as to how best to set it up and what sort of addition hardware or software we might need.
    MacPro   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   4gig ram
    MacBook Pro   Mac OS X (10.4.7)  

    I'd concur that it's generally a bad idea to use a production machine as a file server. OS X is fairly stable though. Worst case will likely be you'd loose the file server if an errant application hung up the finder. I can't remember the last time I've had an OS X box lock up solid.. though they do occassionally become unusable from the console.
    If you're really budget constrained, put it on the tower. Just be careful about the Fibre controller. Apple has made PCI-X and PCI-E versions over the years.
    As far as whos controller to buy, Apple's isn't just competative, it's a steal. It's a 2Gb/channel controller and it runs over Copper (not real fiber optic). You can find cheaper FC cards but they are 1Gb per channel. There are also 4Gb per channel cards.. these will generally fall back to 2 or 1 Gb per channel but they are VERY expensive. FC has come down a lot but it's not unusual to find cards with the same specs as Apple's for twice the price. At least one of our sys admins puts Apple's cards in his x86 Linux servers because they are the cheapest cards he can get. (they also work in Windows 2003 machines since they are just rebranded cards from another vendor.. we're running one in a Dell next door.. as a test for the XSan we're building).

  • Upgrading Xserve with RAID set

    Hi,
    I have been asked to upgrade a copy of Server 10.3 to 10.4. I don't like upgrading, so will do a clean install and then restore all of the SA and WGM data back into the server. Here is the question:
    The XServe has 3 bays - bay 1 has the startup disk and bay 2 and 3 have a mirrored RAID set. Is the RAID config data held in the OS, so if I reinstall the system will the configuration data for the RAID set be lost and will I have to re-RAID the server? Or is the config data stored on the drive and so a re-install won't affect the RAID set?
    Many thanks,
    JS
    iMac G5 17" 2 Ghz, 1 GB RAM, 600 GB HDD   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  
    iMac G5 17" 2 Ghz, 1 GB RAM, 600 GB HDD   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  
    iMac G5 17" 2 Ghz, 1 GB RAM, 600 GB HDD   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  

    I would like to know if the RAID 'config' data is
    actually written onto the drive or is stored in the
    OS. I first thought it would be stored in software
    because Disk Utility uses software RAID, but then
    again a single drive has the partition data on the
    drive.
    James,
    If you think about it a bit, software RAID information has to be on the drive because the volume becomes a RAID before a filesystem is created and before an install is done. Likewise, a hardware raid is done on the interface card and comes up the same way. Neither can know which of the members of the mirror are available at first boot; otherwise, there would be a single point of failure during boot, and the whole purpose of a RAID 1 mirror would be lost.
    The bootstrap starts on the mirror primary, then, as the driver is brought online and before any writes are done, the driver collects the members of the RAID 1 mirror set and forms the mirror. If the mirror primary isn't available, then the mirror secondary is used (which has an exact copy except for stuff indicating that it is the secondary). All this happens normally during boot, as if from a single non-RAID drive, until the cutover is made to RAID early in the driver intialization.
    That's why booting from a RAID 0 (stripe) is so hard - all of the data is not present on a single drive. It can be done, but it is hard and requires special care during the boot.
    You really do want to make the upgrade to AppleRAID 2 before spending time on the update, though. There are details in this article on afp548.com:
    http://www.afp548.com/article.php?story=AppleRAID2-in-Depth
    Russ
    Xserve G5 2.0 GHz 2 GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.8) Apple Hardware RAID, ATTO UL4D, Exabyte VXA-2 1x10 1u

  • Problem with raid set on xserve

    Hi to all!
    I hope you can help me with a big problem that I have with a Xserve of the work.
    Yesterday afternoon I come to the work and my partners mentioned to me that the web pages were not going. I tried to connect with ARD but he was not answering. I had to move to the building where the server is racked and when I connected a monitor a it was showing me a folder icon with an interrogation icon.
    Since this had happened to me in my Mac of the office once, I initiated from the installation DVD to see if I could repair permissions and/or the discs with the Disk Utility. For my surprise (and terror) does not show any volume or disk except the DVD.
    I got into the RAID Utility in the menu and there I could see the discs but the RAID Sets does not appear... We had mounted since we install the machine a raid 5 with 3 discs and 2 volumes on this raid set.
    Then, from the Terminal, doing "diskutil list" it's show no volume on any disk.
    I suppose that something has happened with the volumes and the raid cannot be mounted...
    Is there any way to  mount the volumes again? Something similar to the "fixmbr" that I believe that there are in others OS to restore the volumes tables...
    Is there any way to mount again the RAID without losing the information from the discs?
    Do you know that can be happening?
    PS: It is a Xserve of the last ones, with Mac OS X 10.6.8. I have already tried to reset the PRAM and it keeps on doing the same.

    The Server Monitr does say anything. It doesnt pick up any server. I tried to add the XServe in the Server Monitor, but it keeps waiting for a reply after I have put in the username, password and IP address.
    It is an XServe with a Mirror software RAID on the 2 x Internal Hard Drives within the XServe
    I am not using the SAN software
    There have been reports of fault latchs on the Apple Drive Bay Modules. Do you think this could be causing the units to dismount?

  • Proper procedure for replacing drive in Xserve RAID RAID5 set

    I've got a five-drive RAID-5 set (with a sixth hot spare) in an Xserve RAID running the 1.5/1.50f firmware. One of the drives in the RAID-5 set has an amber/orange status light on and has been getting occasional errors like to following:
    Timestamp: 11/10/10 10:34:53 AM
    Priority: Warning
    Controller: Upper Controller
    Type: 112
    Event ID: 1000
    Event: Disk 5 Reported An Error. COMMAND:0x35 ERROR:0x10 STATUS:0x51 LBA:0x19B80
    Description: The drive reported an ATA error. This is a failure in the communication from the RAID Controller to the drive.
    I have double checked the drives in RAID Admin and, as the drive is only in a warning state, the hot spare has not been pulled into the RAID set yet. As this is an old drive, I'd like to replace that particular drive first. I have a current, full backup of the data, but want to make sure I understand the process correctly.
    I understand the "Installing or Replacing an Apple Drive Module" section of http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/XserveRAID_UserGuide.PDF, but it and RAID Admin's built-in help don't describe what will happen when replacing a drive in a RAID set that has a hot spare. When I pull out the drive and replace it, will it correctly use the newly inserted drive or will it use the hot spare? If it uses the hot spare, will the hot spare revert back to a hot spare once the new drive is inserted or will it permanently become a member of the RAID set and need to be moved to the original drive's slot? Or, should I just pull out the hot spare, pull out the failing drive, and pop the hot spare into the failing drive's slot?

    Hello, makkintosshu, and welcome to the AppleBoards,
    If you pull out the drive the RAID should/will immediately start rebuilding using the hot spare. The hot spare will become a new permanent member of the RAID and the new replacement drive will become the new hot spare. The physical slot locations of the drives don't matter you can build a RAID from any combination of drives as long as they are on the same side.
    If you pull the hot spare and then the failing drive the RAID will wait for a new drive before taking action. I find it hard to recommend this course of action unless there is a really good reason for you not wanting the hot spare to become part of the RAID. Rebuilding is going to take a good long while and you want it to start as soon as possible - as long as the RAID is not rebuilt your data is at risk. Letting the RAID rebuild hang as you physically swap out the failed the drive strikes me as bad idea that needs a really good justification.
    HTH,
    =Tod

  • Xserve Raid - moving raid set from one Xserve Raid to another Xserve Raid.

    I have 2 raids, and one will be moving to another building. Can I take one raid set out of unit 1 and place it into unit 2 without losing the data that is on it?

    You shouldn't loose the data, but you may have to use the RAID utilities to recognize the set, once it is in the the other XRAID box.
    As always, you should backup, in any event, if you have the space.

  • Switching to Xserver/Xserve RAID

    Hi boys and girls...
    I was looking for a little assistance in switching over to Xserve. Let me give you some background info first.
    Were a small studio in London, with only 11 people in-house and the majority working externally whether free-lance, from home or from another country etc. Were mostly Mac based, though 4 machines are those little beige pc things all running XP 2002. At the minute its 1 G5 and a collection of G4 tower's and G4 power book's, G4 cube's and so on. Were all connected to a G4 server running Mac OS X Server 10.2.8 with a very small dual 120GB HD raid thing running Retrospect.
    Our problem is, this system was set up some time ago and were starting to outgrow it.
    What were looking for is a way to backup all of our current work and archive all of our old work. Most users like to work directly off the server as theres so much file sharing between the macs and pc's, directly updating files so there isnt any duplication etc.
    First question, is it possible (and a good/bad idea ?) to have 10-15 users working directly from a Mac server, that stores the archived work for users to reference and also current work which is backed up to tape and duplicated (as we currently have) to another HD?
    Secondly, Is the ideal way to be running things? Is there a more efficent way?
    Finally, what kind of spec should we be looking at? There's such a huge difference between servers, while were willing to invest, we dont want to go crazy (maybe a little) on costs.
    I look forward to your responses and thank you in advance
    Marcus

    There are certainly some drawbacks with your current setup that mean you should make some changes.
    In general, there's nothing wrong with working with files directly off the server, however, 10.2.8 has some issues with multiple users accessing the same files at the same time, so you should look to move to 10.4 ASAP to address that issue, regardless of any other changes you make.
    I am assuming that the remote users don't work this way - uploading/download files as appropriate - it would be painful to work off the server remotely.
    The only real disadvantage with working with files directly off the server is that if a file is changed erroneously and saved, there's no easy backup.
    If the file was copied to the local drive and saved, it's easy to roll back to the previous version by re-copying it from the server, but if that change is saved directly to the server the only rollback involves pulling out Retrospect.
    The other change that would make a difference is installing a gigabit switch and connecting the server to it. Even if all the host systems don't have gigabit ethernet, the extra bandwidth to the server will definitely help.
    As for a new server, 10-15 file sharing users are not likely to stress the server, do you don't need a top-of-the-line configuration.
    You should first decide how much disk space you need. With 500GB drives, the XServe can handle up to 1.5TB on its own, without any additional XServe RAID. However, you might want to consider RAID (using RAID you're limited to 1TB of RAID 5 storage, or 500GB of mirrored storage in the box).
    In addition to your current data usage, consider using an online disk backup where multiple copies of the data is stored on the server itself before (or in addition to) backing up to tape.
    While tapes offer several long-term archive advantages, they really don't work so well for quick restores of a file or two. Having a snapshot of the last couple of days data online makes it trivial to step back a day or so without having to resort to tapes. This may mean, though, that your 100GB of data requires 200 or 300GB of disk space.
    If you do decide than an XServe RAID is the right solution, consider getting it right-sized from the get-go rather than buying it small (e.g. 4 drives) and adding later. While it can be done, adding drives to an existing array is a PITA.
    If you do opt for an XServe RAID, and you don't currently have any rack-mounted equipment, consider using a PowerMac G5 as your server rather than an XServe. While similar in terms of performance, the PowerMac can work out cheaper depending on configuration.

  • Can I move Array from one Xserve RAID to another and keep the data

    I'd like to move a set of disk with an existing Array from one Xserve RAID to another. Can I simply shutdown both Xserve RAIDs and move the disk over, assuming I put the disk back in the same order?

    Yes, you should be able to do this.
    BE SURE YOU HAVE A BACKUP FIRST.

  • Expanding xServe RAID Array - updated info sought.

    I don't want to have to reformat the RAID and I don't want to lose data because...
    1) The organization will suffer extended downtime.
    2) I don't have ready access to 3TB of empty storage to back up the entire contents of the RAID.
    These and Apple's documentation are a few of the many different sources of info on this topic I've sought.
    With apologies in advance to William Lloyd, who has answered many of these questions.
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/3330193
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/3643384
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/4543149
    My (familiar) situation.
    I inherited administration responsibilities for an xServe RAID using the latest firmware (1.5.1).
    The xServe is an intel xeon dual 2 GHz, running Mac OS X Server 10.6.8
    The RAID had six (sigh) drives in the left controller. None in the right.
    When I became admin, one of these six was dead. So I went on eBay and got three refurb ADM's.
    --one to replace the dead drive.
    --another to expand the RAID 5 to a full seven drives. (from 2.5T to 2.73T)
    --a third to put on the shelf as a spare.
    Now then.
    The replacement drive rebuilt beautifully. Happy 6 drive RAID.
    I put in the 7th drive and expanded. It took several days.
    I'm at the point of "merging" slices that gives everyone pause about losing data.
    Much discussion here about whether this can result in added capacity without destroying data relates to earlier versions of Mac OS X Server and G5 not Intel xServes. So that's a point that I think I could use some clarity on. Can Intel Macs can expand the file system with this slice-merging function without data loss whereas Power PC Macs cannot?
    Next, my RAID as I inherited it was one slice. That is to say, one volume. One partition. In RAID Admin under "Arrays and Drives" all the little drives display a [1]. They did when the RAID was degraded to 5 drives. They did when I added the 6th drive replacement. They do now, having used the Expansion function under "Advanced" to add the 7th drive.
    So, next question. WAS IT EVER SLICED?
    That seems to be a deal-breaker for merging slices without data loss.
    For this, I looked in RAID Admin to my Events tab which dates all the way back to 2008.
    I see exactly zero mentions of slicing anywhere. Come with me on a journey, won't you?
    You'll see my expansion and verification up top.
    The drive failure in October 2013.
    Other exciting things. But no slicing.
    Upper Controller
    02/23/14 02:35:56 AM
    RAID Set 1 Verify Complete (0)
    Upper Controller
    02/22/14 10:32:15 AM
    RAID Set 1 Verify Started
    Upper Controller
    02/22/14 02:29:21 AM
    RAID Set 1 Expansion Complete (0)
    Upper Controller
    02/20/14 12:43:43 AM
    RAID Set 1 Expansion Started
    Upper Controller
    02/19/14 09:57:18 AM
    Disk 7 Online
    Upper Controller
    02/19/14 09:56:38 AM
    Disk 2 Online
    Upper Controller
    02/19/14 09:56:20 AM
    Disk 2 Failed
    Upper Controller
    02/19/14 09:53:06 AM
    Disk 2 Offline
    Upper Controller
    02/12/14 03:57:13 PM
    Disk 2 Online
    Upper Controller
    02/12/14 03:56:55 PM
    Disk 2 Failed
    Upper Controller
    02/04/14 03:57:12 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    02/04/14 03:47:55 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    01/30/14 12:04:34 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    01/30/14 11:30:56 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405570)
    Upper Controller
    01/30/14 05:35:42 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    01/30/14 04:20:52 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    01/30/14 04:16:48 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    01/30/14 03:52:39 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    11/19/13 01:26:54 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    11/19/13 01:19:56 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/19/13 08:53:21 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    11/19/13 08:53:21 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/19/13 08:53:20 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    11/19/13 08:53:20 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/19/13 08:53:01 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/19/13 08:53:00 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/19/13 08:52:59 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/19/13 08:52:59 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/19/13 08:46:49 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    11/19/13 08:46:49 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/19/13 08:46:49 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    11/19/13 08:46:49 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/19/13 08:46:25 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/19/13 08:46:25 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/19/13 08:46:23 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/19/13 08:46:23 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    11/17/13 11:05:27 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    11/17/13 10:18:06 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    11/17/13 06:52:08 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    11/17/13 06:37:37 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/14/13 07:27:36 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    11/14/13 07:27:36 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/14/13 07:27:36 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    11/14/13 07:27:36 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/14/13 07:27:17 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/14/13 07:27:17 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/14/13 07:27:15 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/14/13 07:27:15 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    11/04/13 04:07:31 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    11/04/13 03:59:53 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    10/29/13 02:27:01 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    10/29/13 02:19:08 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    10/20/13 09:17:30 AM
    Disk 2 Failed To Recover After Reset. Retrying. RETRY COUNT:0
    Upper Controller
    10/20/13 09:17:30 AM
    Disk 2 Offline
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    10/20/13 09:16:11 AM
    Disk 2 Failed To Respond. Retrying. RETRY COUNT:0 LBA:0x1B458
    Upper Controller
    10/19/13 10:16:20 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    10/19/13 10:01:02 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    09/10/13 11:16:31 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    09/10/13 11:09:49 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    07/02/13 03:30:07 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    07/02/13 02:52:22 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    06/02/13 07:36:14 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    06/02/13 07:15:46 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    06/02/13 12:29:10 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405570)
    Upper Controller
    06/02/13 11:53:54 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405570)
    Upper Controller
    05/30/13 02:27:02 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    05/30/13 02:18:54 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    01/31/13 02:16:04 PM
    Coprocessor 2 Temperature Problem Occurred
    Lower Controller
    01/25/13 12:04:09 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    01/25/13 12:03:19 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    01/24/13 11:31:16 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405570)
    Lower Controller
    01/24/13 10:42:40 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405570)
    Upper Controller
    01/23/13 08:12:06 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    01/23/13 08:04:44 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    01/15/13 12:50:01 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    01/15/13 12:36:31 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    01/08/13 09:41:00 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    01/08/13 09:33:59 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    01/06/13 11:15:21 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    01/06/13 11:00:28 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    12/31/12 09:30:09 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    12/31/12 09:22:41 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    12/31/12 08:46:42 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    12/31/12 08:32:11 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    12/21/12 11:42:51 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    12/21/12 11:34:19 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    12/20/12 10:01:05 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    12/20/12 09:20:19 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405570)
    Lower Controller
    12/16/12 10:12:58 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    12/16/12 10:05:23 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    12/09/12 08:06:47 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    12/09/12 08:00:19 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    12/06/12 10:04:35 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    12/06/12 09:58:14 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    11/17/12 08:10:17 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    11/17/12 08:02:33 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    11/15/12 03:33:56 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    11/15/12 03:24:25 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    11/15/12 05:16:54 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    11/15/12 05:07:27 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    11/14/12 08:16:42 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    11/14/12 08:03:16 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    11/13/12 09:04:27 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    11/13/12 08:49:25 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    11/13/12 02:36:33 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    11/13/12 02:28:47 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    11/12/12 09:02:07 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    11/12/12 08:56:46 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    11/12/12 03:40:58 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    11/12/12 02:28:48 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405570)
    Upper Controller
    11/06/12 12:02:51 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    11/06/12 11:46:30 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    11/06/12 11:24:06 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    11/06/12 11:14:39 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:35:07 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Online
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:35:06 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:35:06 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:35:03 PM
    Disk 6 Online
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:35:02 PM
    Disk 4 Online
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:35:02 PM
    Disk 5 Online
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:35:01 PM
    Disk 2 Online
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:35:01 PM
    Disk 3 Online
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:35:00 PM
    Disk 1 Online
    Lower Controller
    11/05/12 01:34:44 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Online
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/05/12 01:34:43 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    11/05/12 01:34:43 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:34:39 PM
    Enclosure Powered On
    Lower Controller
    11/05/12 01:34:38 PM
    Enclosure Powered On
    Lower Controller
    11/05/12 10:42:35 AM
    Service ID Turned On
    Lower Controller
    11/05/12 10:42:24 AM
    Service ID Turned Off
    Lower Controller
    11/05/12 10:32:12 AM
    Service ID Turned On
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:43:41 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    11/05/12 01:38:27 AM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Lower Controller
    11/04/12 03:06:10 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    11/04/12 02:42:15 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405571)
    Upper Controller
    11/02/12 05:54:11 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Lower Controller
    11/02/12 05:51:38 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    11/14/10 01:53:19 PM
    Coprocessor Offline
    Upper Controller
    11/14/10 01:53:17 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Restarted
    Upper Controller
    11/14/10 01:53:17 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Offline
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/14/10 01:53:17 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Upper Controller
    11/14/10 01:53:17 PM
    Coprocessor Restarted
    Lower Controller
    11/14/10 01:52:51 PM
    Coprocessor Offline
    Lower Controller
    11/14/10 01:52:50 PM
    Coprocessor Restarted
    Lower Controller
    11/14/10 01:52:40 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Restarted
    Lower Controller
    11/14/10 01:52:40 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Offline
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/14/10 01:52:40 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/14/10 01:51:08 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    11/14/10 01:51:08 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/14/10 01:50:30 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    11/14/10 01:50:30 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/14/10 01:31:48 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/14/10 01:31:10 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Lower Controller
    10/21/10 03:16:53 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405570)
    Lower Controller
    10/21/10 11:57:57 AM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Upper Controller
    10/16/10 04:25:11 AM
    RAID Set 1 Expansion Complete (0)
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    10/14/10 11:24:27 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    10/14/10 11:24:27 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    10/14/10 11:24:27 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    10/14/10 11:24:27 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    10/14/10 11:24:00 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    10/14/10 11:24:00 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    10/14/10 11:23:58 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    10/14/10 11:23:58 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    10/14/10 07:17:27 PM
    Time Synchronization Failure with "time.apple.com" (7405570)
    Upper Controller
    10/14/10 02:55:08 PM
    RAID Set 1 Expansion Started
    Lower Controller
    10/14/10 02:49:04 PM
    Time Synchronized with "time.apple.com"
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    05/18/10 05:48:00 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    05/18/10 05:48:00 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    05/18/10 05:47:41 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    05/18/10 05:47:39 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    05/18/10 05:38:38 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    05/18/10 05:38:38 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    05/18/10 05:38:19 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    05/18/10 05:38:17 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    05/18/10 04:01:45 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    05/18/10 04:01:45 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    05/18/10 04:01:26 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    05/18/10 04:01:24 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    05/18/10 03:52:22 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    05/18/10 03:52:22 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    05/18/10 03:52:03 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    05/18/10 03:52:01 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    01/05/10 07:28:30 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    01/05/10 07:28:30 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    01/05/10 07:28:12 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    01/05/10 07:28:10 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    01/05/10 07:22:29 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    01/05/10 07:22:29 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    01/05/10 07:22:10 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    01/05/10 07:22:08 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    12/18/09 05:58:08 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    12/18/09 05:58:08 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    12/18/09 05:57:49 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    12/18/09 05:57:47 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    12/18/09 05:52:36 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    12/18/09 05:52:36 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    12/18/09 05:52:17 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    12/18/09 05:52:15 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    12/03/09 07:28:01 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    12/03/09 07:28:01 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    12/03/09 07:27:42 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    12/03/09 07:27:41 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    12/03/09 07:22:52 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    12/03/09 07:22:52 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    12/03/09 07:22:34 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    12/03/09 07:22:32 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/05/09 06:52:35 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    11/05/09 06:52:35 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/05/09 06:52:16 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    11/05/09 06:52:14 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/05/09 06:48:11 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    11/05/09 06:48:11 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/05/09 06:47:52 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    11/05/09 06:47:50 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    10/19/09 11:07:54 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    10/19/09 11:07:54 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    10/19/09 11:03:57 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    10/19/09 11:03:57 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    10/17/09 03:16:47 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    10/17/09 03:12:54 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    10/08/09 06:25:37 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    10/08/09 06:25:37 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    10/08/09 06:25:17 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    10/08/09 06:25:15 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    10/08/09 06:21:56 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    10/08/09 06:21:56 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    10/08/09 06:21:37 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    10/08/09 06:21:35 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    08/20/09 06:09:41 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    08/20/09 06:09:41 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    08/20/09 06:09:06 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    08/20/09 06:09:04 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    08/20/09 06:07:58 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    08/20/09 06:07:58 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    08/20/09 06:07:39 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    08/20/09 06:07:37 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    08/20/09 06:07:17 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    08/20/09 06:07:17 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    08/20/09 06:06:42 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    08/20/09 06:06:40 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    08/20/09 06:05:35 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    08/20/09 06:05:35 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    08/20/09 06:05:15 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    08/20/09 06:05:13 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    05/22/09 06:08:32 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    05/22/09 06:08:32 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    05/22/09 06:08:31 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    05/22/09 06:08:31 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    05/22/09 06:08:01 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    05/22/09 06:07:59 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    04/23/09 04:33:57 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    04/23/09 04:33:57 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    04/23/09 04:33:28 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    04/23/09 04:33:26 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    04/23/09 04:33:12 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    04/23/09 04:33:12 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    04/23/09 04:32:43 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    04/23/09 04:32:41 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    04/23/09 04:32:32 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    04/23/09 04:32:32 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    04/23/09 04:32:12 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    04/23/09 04:32:10 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    04/23/09 04:31:47 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    04/23/09 04:31:47 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    04/23/09 04:31:27 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    04/23/09 04:31:25 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    04/08/09 01:05:56 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    04/08/09 01:05:56 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    04/08/09 01:05:29 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    04/08/09 01:04:47 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    04/08/09 01:04:47 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    04/08/09 01:04:20 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    01/09/09 10:16:41 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    01/09/09 10:16:41 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    01/09/09 10:16:22 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    01/09/09 10:16:20 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    01/09/09 10:13:10 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    01/09/09 10:13:10 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    01/09/09 10:12:51 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    01/09/09 10:12:49 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    12/22/08 02:59:03 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    12/22/08 02:59:03 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    12/22/08 02:58:36 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    12/22/08 02:55:02 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    12/22/08 02:55:02 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    12/22/08 02:54:35 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    08/14/08 05:09:32 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    08/14/08 05:09:32 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    08/14/08 05:09:13 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    08/14/08 05:09:11 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    08/14/08 05:02:01 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    08/14/08 05:02:01 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    08/14/08 05:01:41 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    08/14/08 05:01:39 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    07/08/08 01:13:28 PM
    Error Status Cleared Using Service ID Button
    Upper Controller
    07/08/08 01:12:49 PM
    Power Supply 1 Failed
    Upper Controller
    07/08/08 01:06:59 PM
    Disk 5 Online
    Upper Controller
    07/08/08 01:06:52 PM
    Error Status Cleared Using Service ID Button
    Upper Controller
    07/08/08 01:06:15 PM
    Disk 6 Online
    Lower Controller
    07/08/08 09:06:57 AM
    Error Status Cleared Using Service ID Button
    Lower Controller
    07/08/08 09:06:19 AM
    Power Supply 1 Failed
    Lower Controller
    07/08/08 09:00:21 AM
    Error Status Cleared Using Service ID Button
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/22/08 02:35:46 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    06/22/08 02:35:46 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/22/08 02:34:32 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/22/08 10:29:38 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/22/08 10:29:38 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/22/08 10:28:24 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/18/08 01:07:37 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/18/08 01:07:37 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/18/08 01:07:37 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/18/08 01:07:30 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/18/08 01:07:29 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/18/08 12:59:35 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/18/08 12:59:34 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/18/08 12:59:34 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/18/08 12:59:28 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/18/08 12:59:26 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/18/08 12:58:35 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/18/08 12:58:34 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    06/18/08 12:58:34 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/18/08 12:58:26 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/18/08 12:58:24 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/18/08 12:50:32 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    06/18/08 12:50:32 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/18/08 12:50:32 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/18/08 12:50:23 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/18/08 12:50:21 PM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:43:50 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:43:50 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:43:31 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:43:30 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:37:20 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:37:20 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:36:52 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:36:50 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:35:51 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:35:51 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:35:31 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/09/08 12:35:30 AM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/09/08 12:34:30 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    06/09/08 12:34:30 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/09/08 12:34:11 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/09/08 12:34:09 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/09/08 12:27:59 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    06/09/08 12:27:59 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/09/08 12:27:32 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/09/08 12:27:30 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Upper Controller
    06/09/08 12:26:30 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre LIP
    Upper Controller
    06/09/08 12:26:30 AM
    RAID Controller 1 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 09:01:38 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 09:01:38 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 09:01:19 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 09:01:17 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:24:35 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:24:35 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:24:14 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:24:13 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:17:06 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:17:06 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:16:42 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:16:40 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:14:13 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:14:13 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:13:52 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:13:50 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:05:42 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:05:42 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Up
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:05:23 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre Link Down
    Warning
    Lower Controller
    06/08/08 08:05:21 PM
    RAID Controller 2 Fibre LIP
    Warning
    Low

    Here I am, at the precipice. Would you click Merge?

  • Xserve RAID lost RAID 5 array on right/bottom controller

    I cleanly shut down an Xserve G5 with an Xserve RAID attached and then powered off the Xserve RAID this morning. I replaced a failing memory module in the Xserve and moved the rack 6". I then powered on the Xserve RAID, waited for a couple minutes until it was fully booted, and then booted the Xserve. When it came up, my RAID 50 volume failed to mount. Upon further investigation, it appears that the RAID 5 array on the right hand disks is "gone". In RAID Admin (Disks and Drives tab), the left side array is visible, but all disks on the right side list status as "OK" and Type: as "Spare".
    Configuration: Xserve RAID with 14 250 GB disks. Each side was configured with 6 disks in a RAID 5 array and one spare. These were striped using Software RAID on the Xserve into RAID 50 and mounted as a single volume. The RAID firmware is currently 1.5 and the Xserve is running OS X Server 10.4.3.
    To summarize today's activities: under Apple's guidance (as this entire system is covered under a Premium Support contract), I swapped the (bottom) controller for the right side, updated firmware (from v1.3/1.20a to 1.5/1.50), multiple resets of both controllers, repeated forced firmware updates, etc.
    Also, I swapped the left set of disks for the right set, and the array from the left set now shows up on the right side, and the missing array from the right is still missing with the disks on the left side. I replaced the disks to their original positions with the same results.
    RAID Admin's Utility "Recognize Array" will not perform any operations on the rigth side disks and Apple tells me that there's nothing further that I can do with it.
    None of this has solved the problem or substantially changed the issue, and the disks on the right side are still missing their associated array. Apple is unable/unwilling to offer any further help except to refer me to 3rd party data recovery services.
    Does anyone have any suggestion at all that might possibly recover the missing array? Is anyone aware of any tools that I might use to recreate the RAID 5 array on the right controller? I was hoping that there might exist some low-level tools with which the disks could be recreated into an array by hand? Are there any commercial products that would work on this? Any other ideas?
    Many thanks for any suggestions.
    - Martin
    Xserve RAID (14 250GB disks) on Xserve G5   Mac OS X (10.4.3)  

    Not sure why you swapped the controllers back and forth
    William, I don't think I was clear on this. I swapped the controller with a new controller that I had in a spare parts kit. This was at Apple's request.
    really, RAID is not a backup...
    I'm well aware, but despite my incessant warnings, users will become lulled in to a false sense of security when something "just works" for a very long time. This array wasn't intended to store valuable data that couldn't be lost, but...
    It may be possible for Apple to re-create the RAID set, did you ask AppleCare about the possibility?
    Apple has told me more than once that there's nothing else that they can do for me...and yet I keep calling back.
    I was surprised that this array was lost when there were absolutely no prior signs of a problem and the system was merely shutdown and restarted cleanly. I'm more surprised and quite disappointed to learn that Apple will do nothing else for me (under a Premium Support contract) to attempt to repair a damaged array. When I asked questions about where the RAID information is stored, I received the answers: "I can't tell you that" and "Apple doesn't release that information". I did not get the feeling that they were working with me, but rather holding my hand while they walked me through published documentation.
    I expected that there would be utilities (analagous to filesystem repair utilities) such as RAID Admin's "Recognize Array" that could help repair and recover damaged array data. I think that the lesson that I've leanred today is that I was naive to have expected such a thing without actually having investigated it ahead of time.
    Anyway, thanks for your input, William.

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