LSI Controller Issue

Question

Hello All:

Experienced an issue to day with a PowerEdge 6350 and don't quite know why it happened. The server had an Adaptec Perc 2/QC running the OS and an external RAID5 array. A 2nd AMI Perc 3/DC was running 2 external arrays, 1 RAID 5 and 1 RAID 0. We hadd issues with the AMI controller so we swapped it with another AMI Perc 3/DC with the arrays connected to the same channels as the previous board. What we got when we rebooted I have never seen before.

The system booted through the Adaptec BIOS fine but when it got to the AMI controller, it choked. It said that it was validating the objects domain and you could see it was having an issue identifying the drives and configuration. Several questions as a result of this:

1. What was this message about validating the object's domain all about. I have never seen this before. How could we have gotten around this.

2. Is it possible to replace a controller in this fashion without rebuilding the arrays. The config is stored on the controller correct? But is there any information written to the drives that would allow you to replace the controller and maintain the integrity of the existing array configuration and data?

Thanks

DJ

DELL-GaryS · Answer

Hi,

When replacing the 3/DC, it has to obtain the array configuration from the existing drives, and also you should clear any preexisting configuration from the replacement controller before you connect the drives.

Process is as follows:

Install replacement controller, do not attach cables.
Turn the system on, select ctrl m when prompted, go to configure, and select to clear configuration.
Turn system off, attach cables.
Turn on, select ctrl m when prompted, go to configure, you will get a popup that there is a NVRAM mismatch, and you will be asked if you wish to view NVRAM or disk configuration.
Select "DISK", go to view add configuration screen and confirm the configuration is as expected. if correct, save and exit, reboot.

If you run into a problem after following this process, you should engage tech support.

DJ214 · Answer

Thanks - this spawns 2 more questions:

1 - would flashing firmware on the controller cause it to lose it's config?
2 - can you go back and forth between and adaptec and an lsi controller without issue using this method?

Thanks

Dev Mgr · Answer

You cannot swap between controller brands and expect to retain your config. You generally should only replace with the same exact model adapter and highly recommended with the same firmware.

PowerEdge HDD/SCSI/RAID

LSI Controller Issue

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