RAID array does not auto synchronize when HDD replaced - IBM BladeCenter HS21

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H193866

Symptom

After a hard drive is replaced on a BladeCenter HS21 (Type 8853) previously configured with a RAID array the blade will boot but the LSI controller does not automatically synchronize the hard drives.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM Servers:

• 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 1064e SAS controller to firmware and BIOS version 1.20 or above.

The file is available from the IBM Support web site at the following URL:

• http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/

The automatic synchronization will only occur if the replacement hard drive has not been part of a previously configured RAID array. A new RAID array must be configured if the replacement hard drive has been a part of a previously configured array.

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

Workaround

If a hard drive is replaced on an BladeCenter HS21 (Type 8853) with earlier LSI SAS BIOS/firmware, the user will have to manually create a RAID array and sync it manually.

Additional information

LSI 1064e SAS controller firmware and BIOS version 1.20 and above supports automatic synchronization of the hard drives when a single hard drive is replaced.