Hard drive replaced but array does not resync automatically - IBM BladeCenter

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H193110

Symptom

A hard drive was replaced, but the array does not resync automatically. The array is on an LSI 1064x controller.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• BladeCenter LS21, Type 7971, any model
• BladeCenter LS41, Type 7972, any model
• BladeCenter HS20, Type 7981, any model
• BladeCenter HS21 XM, Type 1915, any model
• BladeCenter HS21 XM, Type 7995, any model
• BladeCenter HS21, Type 1885, any model
• BladeCenter HS21, Type 8853, any model

This tip is not option specific.

This tip is not software specific.

Solution

Update the LSI SAS Controller BIOS and firmware package to version 1.20 or higher. An updated version of LSI SAS firmware for 1064x controllers will prevent this from occurring. The firmware can be found on the IBM System x Support web site at the following URL:

Note: Version 1.20 is a package that contains LSI 1064e BIOS 6.18.01 and LSI firmware version 1.18.84.

Workaround

Manually synchronize the array by completing the following steps:

1. Boot the blade.
2. Press Ctrl-C (to start the LSI Corp Configuration Utility).
3. Select Controller (SAS1064E) under the Adapter List.
4. Select RAID Properties under Adapter Properties SAS1064E.
5. Select View Existing Array.
6. Select Manage Array.
7. Select Activate Array.

Upon completion, the array will start to sync and will no longer be considered foreign.

Additional information

When a single hard drive is replaced, older versions of LSI SAS 1064x firmware present a warning that the array is degraded but continue to boot to the operating system. This could result in the blade booting without the user understanding that the blade no longer has redundant disks.