R510 replace internal drive no. 13

Question

we have a 12 bay R510 server running VMware ESXi 6.0.0 build-2809209, (no OMSA installed)

In the Perc H700 Bios raid controller menu I see internal drive 13 as failed.I have a replacement disk but before i swap out i would like to know which is the correct way:

turn off the server and replace AND CONNECT the faulty disk and startup again.

OR

turn off the server replace the faulty disk but NOT CONNECT, then turn on server and connect new disk while running.

I´m asking as in this video:

https://youtu.be/RJGgwc9-Dbo?t=177

it is mentioned that replacing the disk in an off state might wipe/mirror the wrong disk (12) and it should be done while the server is running.

any info appreciated, thanks!

DiegoLopez · Accepted Answer

Hello @mschreck,

You are completely right, the internal hard drives are non-hotswap.

What I would recommend you is to shut down the server, open the chassis, remove the failed hard drive and boot the server. Go to PERC BIOS and let the controller check the disk has been removed.

Then shut down the server again, insert the new drive and boot the server again with the new disk so the information replicates to the new disk.

You can check the hardware manual here: https://dell.to/3pG02hd

Page 101: Installing an Internal Hard Drive Bay

Page 182: Troubleshooting an Internal Hard Drive

Regards.

DELL-Chris H · Answer

Mschreck,

Neither are correct. Since the drives are backplaned you don't shut the server off at all, all you need to do is remove the failed hard drive and then after about 20 seconds insert the replacement. If the rebuild doesn't start automatically then assign the replacement drive as a hotspare and it should rebuild.

Let me know if this helps.

Origin3k · Answer

All drive slots are numbered even the flexbay slots on the back of your R510 so just take a closer look.

When possible you should set the drive to offline but thats not possible when the drive is dead or when OMSA is not installed.

Regards,
Joerg

mschreck · Answer

Thanks for the reply, just to double check:

The affected drive is not part of the 12 hot-swappable bays in the front with tray caddies but inside the server chassis.The drives 12&13 connect directly to the PERC H700.

I have replaced a lot of the front bay disks but never the disks inside the chassis.

Still correct to do it "hot" ?

mschreck · Answer

thanks Diego, I´ll use this procedure on the next possible downtime.

PowerVault

R510 replace internal drive no. 13

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