peterfenelon
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Procedure on replacing XServe Raid spare drive

Hi everyone,

 

I have a question on procedure. I have an Xserve Raid configuration the is setup with Raid 5 of 7 x 750 gb drives. 6 drives are live and the 7th is the spare. Recently, one of the drives received an amber light and I was getting messages that the drive had errors. I ended pulling that drive out and letting the hot spare rebuild itself. All worked fine. I put the old failed drive back in, but it's not part of the raid set since it's dead. I would like to get a new hot spare available but not sure on procedure. I am going to buy a new drive and replace with the failed one. Can someone please tell me the exact steps I need to do in order to get it recognized as the new spare? Is it simply a matter of plugging in the new drive or do I need to configure in some way?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Peter

Posted on Apr 19, 2012 3:08 PM

by Strontium90,Solvedanswer
Strontium90 Strontium90
Level 5 (4,087 points)
Servers Enterprise
A:

Your batteries are not really needed, especially if you are not configuring the drive caching for them and if you di not have a battery backup on the unit.

 

However, you can try the following:

 

1:  Shutdown the RAID chassis

2:  Remove the power cords

3:  Pull the cache batteries out

4:  Look on the bottom of the cache battery modules for the battery level indicator button

5:  Push it to see what the battery reports outside of the management tool

 

Oh, and as long as you are adding a new drive, you should "not" need to make the drive as available.  This is most commonly needed when you are adding a drive that has a prior raid signature on it.

Posted on Apr 22, 2012 5:09 AM

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peterfenelon

Q: Procedure on replacing XServe Raid spare drive

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Strontium90,Helpful

    Strontium90 Strontium90 Apr 20, 2012 2:18 PM in response to peterfenelon
    Level 5 (4,087 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Apr 20, 2012 2:18 PM in response to peterfenelon

    It is as simple as pushing it into the unit.  The drive will have no configuration and thus be considered a free spare.  No tools required...

  • by peterfenelon,Helpful

    peterfenelon peterfenelon Apr 20, 2012 2:37 PM in response to Strontium90
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 20, 2012 2:37 PM in response to Strontium90

    After I wrote this post, I found within utilities a spot where I could make a drive available as a spare. I will try what you say when my drive arrives.

     

    One additional question. Yesterday, I shut down my Raid and reseated my components. After restarting the Raid, I later received an error that read "Battery 2 Failed". I've never had an issue with this before for 5 years and seems like a coincidence. Once I cleared the error, the battery eventually turned back to a green light and reads the followiing:

     

    Status: OK

    Cycle: Discharge conditioning cycle

    Charge Level: 57452%

     

    Charge level changes throughout the day.

     

    Is this all normal or should I do something to prevent an issue down the road?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Peter

  • by Strontium90,Solvedanswer

    Strontium90 Strontium90 Apr 22, 2012 5:09 AM in response to peterfenelon
    Level 5 (4,087 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Apr 22, 2012 5:09 AM in response to peterfenelon

    Your batteries are not really needed, especially if you are not configuring the drive caching for them and if you di not have a battery backup on the unit.

     

    However, you can try the following:

     

    1:  Shutdown the RAID chassis

    2:  Remove the power cords

    3:  Pull the cache batteries out

    4:  Look on the bottom of the cache battery modules for the battery level indicator button

    5:  Push it to see what the battery reports outside of the management tool

     

    Oh, and as long as you are adding a new drive, you should "not" need to make the drive as available.  This is most commonly needed when you are adding a drive that has a prior raid signature on it.

  • by nynj,

    nynj nynj Jan 15, 2014 1:39 PM in response to peterfenelon
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Jan 15, 2014 1:39 PM in response to peterfenelon

    How to replace the battery inside the XServe RAID Cache Backup Battery Module.

     

    We still have some XServe RAIDs in use, mostly for Archives and recently one of the Cache Backup Battery Modules failed, it reported "Battery Failed" and the RAID Admin reports some crazy number where it should report the charge level. Finding these EOL parts is difficult and expensive, here's how to keep your existing module and just replace the battery inside.

     

    Here's what you'll need:

     

    Temp resistant tape such as kapton tape.

    Replacement battery -- NewerTech NuPower 56 Watt-Hour Battery NWTBAPIB1V52RS, $69.00

    X-Acto blade, Spludger, flat blade screw driver

     

    First remove the XServe RAID Cache Backup Battery Module from the RAID Chassis

    Then unscrew the 4 screws in the rear of the module

    Slide the metal bracket to free it from the connector

    Slide the cover off the module to expose the inside.

    There are 2 screws holding the battery in place near the rear of the module, unscrew them and move the bracket to the side to slide the battery out. (This bracket also houses the led light for the battery module)

     

    You'l need to do a little surgery on the  new replacement battery, nothing scary. This is an ibook G4 battery so you'll need to remove the white plastic shell with a spludger/flat blade screwsriver, it's glued down so work your way around to loosen it up, it'll come right off. then you'll have to remove the foot that is used for the laptop. First pry up the plastic corner with the foot, it's glued down, then use an X-Acto to carefully cut around the foot to remove it all together. Be careful as the batteries are directly below it and you don't want to puncture them.

    Once that's removed use some kapton tape to cover the batteries where you removed the white plastic shell.

    Don't use more than 1 piece as there's not much clearance once you put it back together.

    Now reinstall the battery the same way it came out, reinstall the bracket wih the 2 screws, mind the led light cable and re-attach the tape on the side of the batteries from the circuit board to the Light.

    Now slide the cover back on, replace the metal bracket and put the 4 screws back.

    Now put it back into the XServe RAID.

    I've seen USED XServe RAID Cache Backup Battery Modules as high as $199  and NEW for $499.

    This is an easy inexpensive way to keep your XServe RAID fully functional

    LJS

     


     


     

    Message was edited by: nynj for typos