Adding SCSI Disk to Dell SAN

Question

Hi,

I have recently taken on support of a Dell SAN (not sure what type as the Support Tag has been removed, it does have 14 drive slots though) and have nine 600GB SCSI Disks to be added to create a new RAID.

My question is: Can I insert the HDDs and configure the raid without having to shutdown the SAN?

A response ASAP will be most appreciated.

Thanks

Dev Mgr · Accepted Answer

If it's an MD1000 (connected to a PERC5E or PERC6E), OMSA is the tool to use. However, if it's an MD3000 connected to a SAS5E card, you need to use MDSM.

Joe S586 · Answer

Sorry but there is not enough information about the array to answer this question. Can you find the make or model number of the array, if not, can you post a picture of both the front and back of the array?

- joe

bristoldohman · Answer

No model number is listed on the SAN.

The controller is a PERC Subsystem 2 CERC SATA1.5/6ch Controller (AFA0).

I have double-checked the HDDs to go in and they are SAS, not SCSI. Sorry for the confusion!

Dev Mgr · Answer

No Dell SANs have ever supported SCSI disks.

The (very) old 7x0, 660F and 650F supported fiber channel drives only.

The MD3000-series support SAS and SATA and the newer MD3200/3600 support SAS only I believe.

Does your unit mention a Powervault model number?

14 bays makes me think 660F.

If it's a 220, it's not a SAN; it's a JBOD (requiring a PERC3DC or PERC4DC controller in the server).

Dev Mgr · Answer

Dell never offered any 14-drive SAS enclosures. The MDx000 chassis is 15 drives. The newer MD enclosures are either 12 x 3.5" or 24 x 2.5".

Also; SAS drives cannot connect to a SCSI PERC (PERC2 is SCSI; first SAS is the PERC5E).

bristoldohman · Answer

OK thanks - it will be a 15 drive MDx000 then. I've just been to the Data Centre to check it out and it is 15 drives.

Can additional drives been plugged in with out plugging it in or causing disruption to the existing drives?

Dev Mgr · Answer

Yes, this should be possible.

bristoldohman · Answer

Can you elaborate on the risks if there is a possibility it can be achieved?

Dev Mgr · Answer

If done right the risk is low, but I always assume that your data is only as important as the effort you put into backing it up.

As for the procedure; that depends on which exact hardware you have (an MD1000 on a PERC5E is different from an MD3000 attached to a SAS5E).

bristoldohman · Answer

My plan would be to insert the disks after business closes without shutting the SAN, using Dell OpenManager Array Manager to re-scan the SAN then create new virtual disks.

I am still trying to source the correct model number.

bristoldohman · Answer

Disks are now in, MDSM installed and can see the disks however three of them have a newer config so am trying to used the command line to wipe and load an older config on there (as directed by the RecoveryGuru). This is failing because a password is needed and the person that originally installed the SAN, no longer works here and did not keep record of the password.

Can the password be recovered or reset some how?

Dev Mgr · Answer

Under the online MD3000 documentation there's a document on how to reset the password using the serial cable.

This serial cable is rather unique; regular DB9 on one end, but PS2/svideo on the other side.

If you don't have this cable, you'll need to buy one (no documented pin-out available that I've ever seen) from Dell spare parts or another vendor that sells this Dell cable.

bristoldohman · Answer

Managed to get this one working - found the ex.employee who set this up and ascertained the password. All setup now.

PowerVault

Adding SCSI Disk to Dell SAN

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