Question about Adaptec 2120s Raid Controller

[jim]

I have a RAID-5 setup on an Adaptec 2110S Controller, due to the fact
we want to update to Netware 6.5, the 2110s isn't compatible with
Netware 6.5
But the Adaptec 2020S is, so I was wondering since they are both in
the same family, could it be possible to change over the card without
loosing the RAID configuration. Or would we have to start from scratch?



I would think this would be okay as the Adaptec SCSI RAID
controllers store their RAID information on the last track of the hard
drives.


Thanks,
Jim Propert

 

[Odie Ferrous]

I have a RAID-5 setup on an Adaptec 2110S Controller, due to the fact
we want to update to Netware 6.5, the 2110s isn't compatible with
Netware 6.5
But the Adaptec 2020S is, so I was wondering since they are both in
the same family, could it be possible to change over the card without
loosing the RAID configuration. Or would we have to start from scratch?

I would think this would be okay as the Adaptec SCSI RAID
controllers store their RAID information on the last track of the hard
drives.

Thanks,
Jim Propert

You might be ok, but I wouldn't risk it. (Are you absolutely certain
you have all the product codes correct? In the subject line you mention
2120s...)

Either way, it's inconceivable that anyone should even dream of
attempting this without at least making a secure backup of the data onto
a couple of single drives beforehand. And test the backups as well.


Odie

 

[jim]

Okay I actually called Adaptec themselves, and yes I can do a RAID
migration over to the new Adaptec 2120S Card.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Odie Ferrous]

Okay I actually called Adaptec themselves, and yes I can do a RAID
migration over to the new Adaptec 2120S Card.

Jim,

You need to be careful here - make sure you have a backup first.

When you move the drives over to the new controller, you have to
configure that new controller and set up a new RAID array on it.

This normally means initialising the disks - which will then show up as
having no data / partitions, etc.

Also make sure the new card has the latest BIOS before you do the swap;
although driver support on Adaptec is superb (more than I can say for
the rather lethargic performance of their cards - but they do work in
everything) it is still possible to buy a card the BIOS of which is 18
months old.

And when you flash the BIOS, you also flash the drive config...


Odie

 

[jim]

To setup new RAID, wouldn't this wipe the current configuration on the
drives?
I would have thought that the new card would have read the drive
config and known what is currently on there. Initialising the disks
would also mean loss of data in which I want to avoid.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Odie Ferrous]

To setup new RAID, wouldn't this wipe the current configuration on the
drives?
I would have thought that the new card would have read the drive
config and known what is currently on there. Initialising the disks
would also mean loss of data in which I want to avoid.

I'm going to guess you have less than 250GB of data that needs backing
up. (Including OS and apps.)

Why not simply buy a decent 300GB drive (Seagate) and back up to that
before trying anything?

I wouldn't dream of transferring disks to a new card without first
getting a backup and testing same.

There is *every* chance that initialising the disks will render them
useless (without some form of basic recovery) and without a backup
things could be awkward.


Odie

 

[jim]

I will be making sure I have a good backup before I proceed with the
upgrade.
I am not looking forward to doing it.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[jim]

I have installed the New 2120S RAID card, it picked up the RAID 5 array
okay.
I spoke with Adaptec first, they confirmed that it should.
Only catch is though, Adaptec said the new card will pick up the
current RAID 5 as a "legacy" RAID 5, which means we can't expand the
RAID 5 setup. But if a drive still dies. We can replace as normal.
All is done.

Thanks,
Jim