Replacing RAID Underlying Devices

Adding or removing a RAID underlying device can only be performed on RAID1 and RAID5 configurations. RAID1 can operate with just one device (although mirroring will not be available), and RAID5 can operate with one device less than its original amount of devices.

The names of the RAID underlying devices appear on the 'RAID Properties' screen (see figure 6.37). Each device is followed by a status:

• Active: The device is controlled by RAID.
• Inactive: The device failed to join the RAID array or does not exist.
• Faulty: The device joined the RAID array but was marked as faulty due to an error. It is inactive and should be replaced.

Replacing a device on RAID1 or RAID5 is done by first removing the faulty device and then adding a new one. The new device's size must be at least the size of the existing one.
To remove a faulty device from RAID1:

1. Click the faulty device's action icon in the 'RAID Properties' screen (see figure 6.37).

2. Click 'OK' to execute the deletion.

To add a new device instead of the one removed:

1. Click the action icon of the RAID device in the 'Disk Management' screen (see figure 6.35).

2. The 'RAID Properties' screen appears, this time with a combo box allowing you to choose the new partition to be added (see figure 6.39).

   Figure 6.39: RAID Properties

   

3. Choose the partition and click 'OK' for the changes to take effect.

After adding a new device, RAID1 starts a recovery process in which the content of the existing partition is mirrored to the new device. If the addition or recovery fails, the device status is set to inactive (this status appears in the 'RAID Properties' screen, figure 6.37). In such cases, the device should be removed and another may be added.

You can manipulate your disk partitions using OpenRG's Web-based management. However, it is recommended to configure your disks before setting up RAID. Once RAID is configured, you will not be able to delete an underlying partition, or create a new partition on a disk that one of its partitions is underlying RAID, unless you disable or delete the RAID device. Changing a disk's partition table when its partitions are under RAID (even if RAID is disabled) may result in the need to reconstruct the RAID.