Unsolved
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
64
March 25th, 2025 13:11
Dell PowerVault MD3400 - Virtual Disk Not on Preferred Path and Storage array in recovery mode
I have three servers connected to an MD3400 SAN server via SAS ports. The MD3400 is configured with RAID 5 using 12 disk slots, each with a 10TB capacity. Unfortunately, three disks in slots 4, 6, and 9 failed. After replacing the faulty disks and reconfiguring the system, I encountered two warning messages: "Virtual Disk Not on Preferred Path" and "Storage Array in Recovery Mode."
I would greatly appreciate any support or guidance on how to resolve these issues. If needed, I can provide log files to facilitate troubleshooting.
Thank you in advance for your help! 
No Events found!
DELL-Sam L
Moderator
•
7.7K Posts
1
March 25th, 2025 20:08
Hello phucteam,
MD Virtual Disk Not on Preferred Path
When a virtual disk is not on the preferred path, it indicates that the failover controller is handling traffic due to issues with the preferred path. Here are the steps to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:
Possible Causes
· RAID Controller Module Issues: The preferred path may be affected by a failed RAID controller module or one that is offline.
· Connection Problems: Disconnected or faulty cables can disrupt the connection.
· Host Adapter Failures: A failure in the host adapter can lead to this issue.
· Network Configuration: Issues with the network configuration, such as incorrect iSCSI sessions or CHAP settings.
Troubleshooting Steps
1. Check RAID Controller Status: Ensure that the RAID controller module is online and functioning correctly.
2. Inspect Connections: Verify that all cables are connected properly and are not faulty.
3. Review Host Adapter: Confirm that the host adapter is operational.
4. Redistribute Virtual Disks:
· Open the Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM).
· Connect to the storage.
· For MD3000(i): Go to the Support tab, select Manage RAID Controller Modules, and click Redistribute Virtual Disks.
· For MD32xx/MD34xx/MD36xx/MD38xx: Go to the Storage menu, select Virtual Disk, then Advanced, and choose Redistribute Virtual Disks.
5. Change Preferred Path: If necessary, change the virtual disk preferred path in the Storage Manager.
6. Run Recovery Guru: After making changes, rerun the Recovery Guru to check for improvements.
Additional Notes
· If the virtual disk remains off the preferred path after these steps, contact Dell Technical Support for further assistance.
· Be cautious of potential data access loss during troubleshooting and ensure proper antistatic precautions are taken when handling components.
Here is also a link on how to redistribute virtual disk. https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000124704/md-series-redistribute-virtual-disk-s-md32xx-md34xx-md36xx-md38xx?lang=en