raid

Enables RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) management. RAID is a group of one or more independent, physical drives, referred to as an array or drive group, These physically independent drives are linked together and appear as a single storage unit or multiple virtual drives. Replacing a single, large drive system with an array, improves performance (input and output processes are faster) and increases fault tolerance within the data storage system.

In an array, the drives can be organized in different ways, resulting in different RAID types. Each RAID type is identified by a number, which determines the RAID level. The common RAID levels are 0, 00, 1, 5, 6, 50 and 60. The WiNG MegaRAID implementation supports RAID-1, which provides data mirroring, but does not support data parity. RAID-1 consists of a two-drive array, where the data is simultaneously written on both drives, ensuring total data redundancy. In case of a drive failure the information on the other drive is used to rebuild the failed drive.

An array is said to be degraded when one of its drives has failed. A degraded array continues to function and can be rebooted using the one remaining functional drive. When a drive fails, the chassis sounds an alarm (if enabled), and the CLI prompt changes to “RAID degraded”. The failed drive is automatically replaced with a hot spare (provided a spare is installed). The spare is used to re-build the array.

Use this command to:

  • Verify the current array status

  • Start and monitor array consistency checks

  • Retrieve date and time of the last consistency check

  • Shut down drives before physically removing them

  • Install new drives

  • Assign drives as hot spares

  • Identify a degraded drive

  • Deactivate an alarm (triggered when a drive is removed from the array)

Note

Note

The NX 9500 service platform includes a single Intel MegaRAID controller, configured to provide a single virtual drive. This virtual drive is of the RAID-1 type, and has a maximum of two physical drives. In addition to these two drives, there are three hot spares, which are used in case of a primary drive failure.

Supported in the following platforms:

  • Service Platforms — NX7500, NX9500, NX9600, VX9000

Syntax

raid [check|install|locate|remove|silence|spare]
raid [check|silence]
raid [install|locate|remove|spare] drive <0-4>

Parameters

raid [check|silence]

check

Starts a consistency check on the RAID array. Use the show > raid command to view consistency check status.

A consistency check verifies the data stored in the array. When regularly executed, it helps protect against data corruption, and ensures data redundancy. Consistency checks also warn of potential disk failures.

silence

Deactivates an alarm

Note: When enabled, an audible alarm is triggered when a drive in the array fails. The silence command deactivates the alarm (sound).
Note: To enable RAID alarm, in the device configuration mode, use the raid > alarm > enable command. An NX 9500 profile can also have the RAID alarm feature activated. For more information on the enabling RAID alarm, see raid.
raid [install|locate|remove|spare] drive <0-4>

install <0-4>

Includes a new drive, inserted in one of the available slots, in the array. Specify the drive number.

Note: Drives 0 and 1 are the array drives. Drives 2, 3, and 4 are the hot spare drives. You can include the new drive in a degraded array, or enable it as a hot spare.
Note: If the array is in a degraded state, the re-build process is triggered and the new drive is used to repair the degraded array.

locate <0-4>

Enables LEDs to blink on a specified drive. Specify the drive number.

Note: Blinking LEDs enable you correctly locate a drive.

remove <0-4>

Removes (shuts downs) a disk from the array, before it is physically removed from its slot. Specify the drive number containing the disk.

Note: Use this command to also remove a hot spare.

spare <0-4>

Converts an unused drive into a hot spare. Specify the drive number.

Example

nx9500-6C874D#raid install drive 0
Error: Input Error: Drive 0 is already member of array, can't be added
nx9500-6C874D#
nx9500-6C8809#raid spare drive 1
Error: RAID operation failed, returned 2, output: Input Error: Drive 1 is member of array, can't be a hotspare
/
nx9500-6C8809#