We have a PowerEdge T410 hosting our file server in RAID 10 configuration. The raid controller is a PERC 6/i. I've confirmed we're able to hot swap the failed drive but I have concerns about the drive we ordered. The existing drives are Dell wd5003abyx-18wera0's. They're 500GB, 64MB Cache, 7200RPM, SATA II (3gb/s). We ordered a WD Black 500GB to replace the drive. All specs line up except for the fact that it's SATA III (6gb/s). Can I expect any issues throwing a SATA 3 drive into a RAID pool of SATA 2 drives? Or should it work just like any typical workstation and clock down the speed to what the buses allow?
I would agree with Diego on the WD Black drives, they aren't Enterprise drives and the server won't be able to support it, even if the firmware is updated. For servers, it is compulsory to use Enterprise drive.
Here are some Dell certified drives that is compatible with T410:
Part Number
Part Description
1KWKJ
HD,500GB,ES,7.2,3.5,W-SU,E/C
2R42K
HD,500GB,ES,7.2,3.5,S-MEG,E/C
53WHG
HD,500,S2,5.4,P11,2.5,TSHBA-CB
6R63F
HD,500G,ES,7.2K,3.5,SM-F3,E/C
DELL-Joey C
Social Media and Communities Professional
Dell Technologies | Enterprise Support Services
#IWork4Dell
Did I answer your query? Please click on ‘Mark as Accepted Answer’ if I did.
It bus speed will be downgraded to 3gb/s. I would recommend to check if the RAID Controller firmware is up to date. Mean while at it, do check if iDAC/LCC and BIOS are up to date too.
DELL-Joey C
Social Media and Communities Professional
Dell Technologies | Enterprise Support Services
#IWork4Dell
Did I answer your query? Please click on ‘Mark as Accepted Answer’ if I did.
Thank you for your response Joey. I'm a bit worried to update firmware because the business is 24/7. I checked IDRAC and the firmware for the raid controller is on v6.3.1-0003. Are you able to see whether this firmware version supports auto-negotiating the drive to SATA 2 speeds?
I don't see anything in the release notes that relates to speed. Though, auto-negotiating is based on the hardware controls rather the firmware. My worry would be the RAID refuse to detect the drive if it's not a Dell certified drive.
DELL-Joey C
Social Media and Communities Professional
Dell Technologies | Enterprise Support Services
#IWork4Dell
Did I answer your query? Please click on ‘Mark as Accepted Answer’ if I did.
I have a different option however... I agree with your concerns about the replacement hard drive you have prepared. WD Black is not an Enterprise certified drive and will likely not work correctly. The WD disk has its own firmware version and it is not a firmware ready to work with a PERC 6/i. It might work or not, and that is a risk.
If the server is critical I would suggest to use an Enterprise certified drive. If you are unsure about what disk you should purchase you can check with the Global Partner Network: https://dell.to/3rHHcHE
If you have a picture of your current disk where we can see clearly the label we can let you know some Dell Part Numbers that may work as replacement drives.
DELL-Joey C
Moderator
•
4170 Posts
•
20965 Points
1139
0
Posted March 12th, 2021 01:00
Hi @virdual,
I would agree with Diego on the WD Black drives, they aren't Enterprise drives and the server won't be able to support it, even if the firmware is updated. For servers, it is compulsory to use Enterprise drive.
Here are some Dell certified drives that is compatible with T410:
DELL-Joey C
Social Media and Communities Professional
Dell Technologies | Enterprise Support Services
#IWork4Dell
Did I answer your query? Please click on ‘Mark as Accepted Answer’ if I did.