Old SCSI hard drive in a raid array failed

steve wilson

Senior member
Sep 18, 2004
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Hi,
I have an old server at work that has a 3 hard drive raid array and one of the hard drives has failed. They are hot swappable, so the server is still running. If I get another hard drive exactly the same and just put it in, will it automatically rebuild the raid?

Hard drive specs
Hitachi Ultrastar
Model IC35L036VCDY10-0
80P ULTRA320 SCSI DRIVE
36GB
10000RPM
P/N 08K0382
mlc DY0S27Q

I have found this site that matches the model number but the parts are IBM
http://forums.anandtech.com/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=47

I can't find anywhere else in the UK that will stock such an old HDD... will the IBM part be compatible with my other 2 hard drives.

I'm trying to hold out until SSD's can be in a raid with Trim before I upgrade this old server, because at the moment it serves our needs.

Is it better to just get three new hard drives and make a new raid array?

Thanks for any help you can give me.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
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The behavior may depend on the disk controller, but generally you can simply remove the failed disk and insert the replacement disk and it'll rebuild on its own.

You also don't need to replace the disk with an "identical" disk. I'd recommend a 10K RPM disk, but it can be LARGER than 36 GB if necessary. In fact, a larger disk might be a good idea because there can be very minor differences in disk sizes that can keep a non-identical replacement (but 36 GB in size) from working. But a 72 GB disk will work fine. The array size will remain the same.

Yeah, with disks that old, a complete replacement would likely be best. The other disks are likely to fail soon. That's a judgement call you'll have to make.
 

Emulex

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2001
9,759
1
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ServerSupply.com 1,042 seller ratings New No tax + Free shipping $35.00 $35.00

brand new according to them. buy it.

The drives are before they sold out to hitachi so that is some crusty stock.

the other choice would be to find 3 new drives and replace them 1 at a time letting it rebuild. or build a new box with modern drives (SAS).
 

steve wilson

Senior member
Sep 18, 2004
839
0
76
Thanks for the info. I didn't know I could put in a drive with a different size...that helps greatly.

I'm waiting on SSD's being able to raid with the trim command before I upgrade...so I'm trying to squeeze all the life I can out of this old server.