Dell EMC PowerVault MD 34XX/38XX Series Storage Arrays Administrator's Guide

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Virtual disk states

The following table describes the various states of the virtual disk, recognized by the storage array.

Table 1. Raid controller virtual disk statesIf the state of the virtual disk is optimal, then the virtual disk contains physical disks that are online. If the state of the virtual disk is degraded, then the virtual disk with a redundant RAID level contains an inaccessible physical disk. The system can still function properly, but performance may be affected and more disk failures may result in data loss. If the state of the virtual disk is offline, then a virtual disk with one or more member disks in an inaccessible (failed, missing, or offline) state. Data on the virtual disk is no longer accessible.
If the state of the virtual disk is force online, then the storage array forces a virtual disk that is in an Offline state to an Optimal state. If all the member physical disks are not available, the storage array forces the virtual disk to a Degraded state. The storage array can force a virtual disk to an Online state only when enough of physical disks are available to support the virtual disk.
State	Description
Optimal	The virtual disk contains physical disks that are online.
Degraded	The virtual disk with a redundant RAID level contains an inaccessible physical disk. The system can still function properly, but performance may be affected and more disk failures may result in data loss.
Offline	A virtual disk with one or more member disks in an inaccessible (failed, missing, or offline) state. Data on the virtual disk is no longer accessible.
Force online	The storage array forces a virtual disk that is in an Offline state to an Optimal state. If all the member physical disks are not available, the storage array forces the virtual disk to a Degraded state. The storage array can force a virtual disk to an Online state only when enough of physical disks are available to support the virtual disk.