Possible data corruption - IBM ServeRAID B5015 Solid State Drive Controller

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H197646

Symptom

Data corruption may occur on a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) configuration using an IBM ServeRAID B5015 Solid State Drive (SSD) Controller, Option part number 46M0969.

Affected configurations

The system is configured with one or more of the following IBM options:

• ServeRAID B5015 SSD Controller, Option part number 46M0969, replacement part number (CRU) 46M0970

This tip is not system specific.

This tip is not software specific.

Solution

This behavior will be corrected in a future release of the controller's firmware version, 1.03 (B038) or newer.

IBM strongly recommends updating the firmware when it becomes available to avoid potential data corruption.

IBM strongly recommends using the ServeRAID B5015 in non-production environments only until the controller's firmware is updated to version 1.03 (B037) or newer.

The file will be available by selecting the appropriate Product Group, Product name, Product machine type, and Operating system on IBM Support's Fix Central web page, at the following URL:

• http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/

Workaround

The ServeRAID M5015 may be substituted as an alternate RAID controller in most configurations until the firmware with Fix is available. Pre-existing RAID arrays will have to be reconfigured in order to use the alternate controller. If assistance is needed, then contact IBM Support and we will provide a transition plan customized for your environment; also, on-site help will be available upon request.

Note: IBM Service FRU supply cannot be used to provide the user an alternate part.

If an Operating System is not installed on the pre-existing ServeRAID B5015 array, then complete the following steps:

1. Back up the data on the pre-existing array attached to the ServeRAID B5015 controller.
2. Remove the ServeRAID B5015 and replace it with the ServeRAID M5015 controller.
3. Create new RAID array(s). Documentation for the ServeRAID M5015 is available at the following URL: http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocID=MIGR-5073160
4. Boot to the Operating System and install the ServeRAID M5015 device driver. ServeRAID M5015 drivers are available at the following URL: http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocID=MIGR-5073015
5. Restore the original data from the back-up to the new ServeRAID M5015 array(s).

If an operating system is installed on the pre-existing ServeRAID B5015 array, then complete the following steps::

1. Back-up the data on the pre-existing array attached to the ServeRAID B5015 controller.
2. Remove the ServeRAID B5015 and replace it with the ServeRAID M5015 controller.
3. Create new RAID array(s). Documentation for the ServeRAID M5015 is available at the following URL:http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocID=MIGR-5073160
4. Re-install the OS. Instructions for installing supported OSes is available at the following URL: http://www.ibm.com/support/install/us/en/?cm_re=masthead-_-supdl-_-install
5. Restore the original data from back-up to the new ServeRAID M5015 array(s).

Additional information

If further assistance is needed, then contact IBM Support for a transition plan customized for your environment or on-site assistance.

To find local contact and support information:

Contact the appropriate Support Center for your geography. In the United States, contact 1-800-IBM-SERV at 1-800-426-7378.

The IBM "Directory of Worldwide Contacts" is available from the following URL:

• http://www.ibm.com/planetwide/

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