Erasing metadata on a raid array?

[Strykar]

I'm just curious, if I erase the metadata on my Raid 5 Array, is it possible to restore the data within intact? I'm assuming the usage of some third party tools is necessary.

In order to create a new array using the same drives, I would have to initialize the drives, ie: formatting them and losing all data?

This is just a question of curiosity.

Thanks,

 

[drizzt81]

I'm just curious, if I erase the metadata on my Raid 5 Array, is it possible to restore the data within intact?

Most likely possible, may be rather difficult though, but possible.

In order to create a new array using the same drives, I would have to initialize the drives, ie: formatting them and losing all data?

depends on the raid controller you are using, but I would assume: yes you will lose the data.

 

[Waldorf]

I'm not sure what you meant by "is it possible to restore the data within intact?".

A good RAID controller stores the metadata on both the drives and the controller. If either of them loses the metadata, than you can restore it from thje one that didn't lose the data. If they both contain metadata, but they don't match, then when the computer comes up for the first time, it should tell you they don't match and ask which one you want to use as the authoritative source. Once you tell it which one to use, it will throw out the other metadata and sync them up again.

I have never seen a RAID controller that lets you save he metadata to another location for restoration at a later time.