Best way to replace a single drive in a RAID 0 array?

[2is]

One of my boxes is running a pair of drives in a RAID 0 array and recently one of those drives has started triggering a SMART warning. As of this post, everything is still functioning normally. I'd like to get the drive replaced before it dies on me. I have a few ideas on how to do that, but not sure what the best method would be.

I was thinking maybe cloning the array to a single drive, replacing the suspect drive, rebuilding the array, booting off the sinlge drive and cloning it back to the array. I'm not sure if there's a simpler way to do it but that's my working theory ATM.

Suggestions welcomed.

 

[MrX8503]

That sounds a good way. I would back up the array ASAP.

I'm not sure if you'll be able to boot the single drive that's been cloned from the array. You could try.

 

[nanaki333]

either clone or make an image of your install. lots of utilities out there that will do it. like mrX said, back that up ASAP.

 

[Lorne]

Cloning over to a single drive works, Cloning back to a raid0 sometimes has a boot issue, hit or miss.

 

[Enigma102083]

I'd use Partedmagic to clone the current array. Replace drive, rebuild the array, and then restore the image.

 

[2is]

I already own Acronis True Image 2012, will that work?

 

[Old Hippie]

I already own Acronis True Image 2012, will that work?

While I have cloned my 3 drive RAID0 array with Acronis I have never tried to move the clone back to a new array.

But I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Just copy the clone to your new array and you should be good to go.

 

[corkyg]

Rick, I have done it. Cloned the array to a single external drive. TRhen rebuilt the array using new and bigger drives. Once it was active and happy, I cloned the external to the new array using Acronis, bootable media, manual mode, proportioanal. Not a problem.

 

[2is]

Thanks all. I've successfully cloned it over to a single drive. Going to pick up a couple fresh ones to rebuild the array.

 

[Smoblikat]

Cloning over to a single drive works, Cloning back to a raid0 sometimes has a boot issue, hit or miss.

I used Acronis to go from a RAID 0 image to a single disk and it worked fine.

 

[sequoia464]

I used Acronis to go from a RAID 0 image to a single disk and it worked fine.

Do you have to make any driver changes if you wanted to boot then in AHCI instead of raid??

 

[Emulex]

LSI raid controllers can use a hot spare to migrate data off a failing raid-0 ssd dataset - it's great reason to spend $50-100 on an LSI or oem branded controller.

Not many other brands will recognize a failing raid-0 lun and migrate the sectors as fast as possible to prevent your raid-0 from cratering.

 

[Old Hippie]

Rick, I have done it. Cloned the array to a single external drive. TRhen rebuilt the array using new and bigger drives. Once it was active and happy, I cloned the external to the new array using Acronis, bootable media, manual mode, proportioanal. Not a problem.

I believe you.

I couldn't see why this method wouldn't work.

Although a little different, I do it with Acronis images all the time.

I'm sure restoring from a clone will be just fine.

 

[corkyg]

... I'm sure restoring from a clone will be just fine.

The beauity of cloning is that restoration in the technical sense is not necessary. It is also usually faster than backup/restore.

I think you mean restoration in terms of rebuilding the array.

 

[Old Hippie]

I think you mean restoration in terms of rebuilding the array.

Not really.

I'm just thinking that restoring a dual disk RAID0 array from a single disk clone will be fine.


I was addressing this issue/question......

I was thinking maybe cloning the array to a single drive, replacing the suspect drive, rebuilding the array, booting off the sinlge drive and cloning it back to the array.

 

[corkyg]

Gotcha. It should work if the RAID0 array is removed from the boot list.