SIMS Server

[TMBS]

Hi

 

Our SIMS server rebooted unexpectedly yesterday and then gave a imminent hard drive failure. It's a HP Proliant ML350p GenB that was installed and configured by our support services. I rang them to report and ask for advice, they dialed in and took a look, confirmed what I'd told them. I mentioned that I had an exact server model spare, so I've been advised to unplug one of the hard drives from that and swap for the corrupt one in the SIMS server. The server has 5 drives in it which he 'thinks' are set up via RAID.

 

I don't feel confident in their advice - which is worrying as they manage the server...

 

How can I tell if it's configured via RAID?

Can I just swap the disk over? Will it not need configuring?

Does the server need to be on or off when I swap over?

 

We were supposed to be having a new server last year but they've not managed to supply that either-COVID! So I don't want to spend a lot of money repairing this one.

 

Thanks

[3s-gtech]

Does it have the HP Smart Storage Manager software installed? That will let you see any RAID config. If it's not installed, you should be able to put it on.

[psydii]

Step 0: Confirm you have a full backup of the database and the docstorage folders stored on a device not attached to that server.

[paulellam]

Step 0: Confirm you have a full backup of the database and the docstorage folders stored on a device not attached to that server.

 

Yep check backups first before doing anything, if its 2008r2 could you just build the other server with new OS and then all upto date etc?

[TwistedHelixis]

Can I just swap the disk over? Will it not need configuring?

 

If the server has the correct raid hardware and the disks are setup with raid then yes you can swap the faulty disk over for a working disk, the raid system will then import that drive and copy over all the correct data.

 

Does the server need to be on or off when I swap over?

Again, If the server has the correct raid hardware and the disks are setup with raid you can swap the disks over while the server is still powered on. I have done this many times :0)

[jmak]

I have seen an issue where a second drive fails during or shortly after the RAID rebuild. It's a very read/write intensive process and assuming your disks were bought at the same time, they're likely to be from the same batch and have similar wear to the one that's died.

 

Most times it works fine - just make sure you've got that backup first!