Replace Perc 5 without losing RAID5 array?

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joblo37pam

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I know similar questions have been asked before, but I can't seem to find anything referring to this card specifically, so I would like a little input if anyone has some experience with it.

I have a customer that is running a Dell PE SC1430 with a Perc 5\i card that seems to have gone belly up. IT isn't even recognized at POST anymore. I have already ordered a replacement card for it, but am unsure as to the procedure to install the card and re-create the RAID5 array without losing data. Will the card automatically detect the array from the data on the drives, or will I have to configure it manually? If I have to configure it manually, can i just create the array without initializing it and then boot to it?

Any help is appreciated.
 
As far as I am aware simply connect the drives to the new card, and it should detect the array on start up.

For more information there's a large thread here with a ton of information regarding this card and its newer sibling the PERC 6/i.
 
Just connect the new card, and pray.

It will probably work as designed and just recognize the array.

If not come back.
 
nitrobass24 said:
Just connect the new card, and pray.

It will probably work as designed and just recognize the array.

If not come back.
Click to expand...

That's what I was hoping to hear. I've had drives in an array fail before, but never a controller card. Here's hoping that it 'just works'
 
Just make sure the firmware of the new card matches what you were using on the old card. I've moved a Perc 5/i array from card to card (but both cards were using the LSI firmware).
 
I just rebuilt my fileserver and even re-connected the drives in a different order.
No issues with Raid 5 and system was back up and running great.

Don't think you will have any issues based on my experience.
 
The order of the drives shouldn't matter, the relevant info regarding each drives position in the array is stored on the drives themselves. Make sure the firmware matches. Shouldn't be any issue at all.

Dustin
 
I just replaced a Perc 3dc in a server, on your first boot up you get a NVRAM mismatch. Go into the controller firmware and load the config off the drives and it will go away
 
The card showed up today, and everything went fine. It found a 'foreign configuration', which I had to import, and as soon as I did, it recognized the array and booted. Everything was smooth.
 
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