Lights on HP Server Disks - Should I Panic?

[JRA]

Hi all, just need some advice.

 

Got a Linux/Ubuntu server on a G8. 4x120gb SSDs in RAID6.

 

Noticed yesterday that three of the four disks alternately flash amber/green. According to the following, that means swap them: https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c03245333

 

That right? Time to start panic-swapping?

[fiza]

Hi all, just need some advice.

 

Got a Linux/Ubuntu server on a G8. 4x120gb SSDs in RAID6.

 

Noticed yesterday that three of the four disks alternately flash amber/green. According to the following, that means swap them: https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c03245333

 

That right? Time to start panic-swapping?

Can you not check the status of the disks with iLO?

[mikkydoos]

Sounds like a RAID issue - possible degraded array When the disks go the light is usually red on HP's.... but thats when they've failed completely.

 

Boot it into the RAID BIOS (or ILO like @fiza says) and check the state of the array... it might be rebuilding.

 

3 disks at the same time is unlikely but might be really bad luck.

 

(You need a spare or 2 in that array btw.)

[JRA]

Thanks all. Server's only got 4 bays, but RAID6 on the disks, so I have a little leeway I reckon.

 

Hmmm, I'll see how it is in the morning. Might just replace them one at a time.

 

Cheers again.

[SYNACK]

ILO software can be very finiky with disks especially those which are made after it's release. Backup everything then look at firmware for ssds and raid controller. Could also be the backplane that the drives attach to but unlikely unless it is an older server.

 

Get the backup quick as especially if battery backed write cache is involved it can make a large mess very quickly.

[SYNACK]

Depending on brand there may be diagnostic utilities to ru. On the ssds in situ or on a seporate system (main system offline) to rule out some issues.