managing foreign RAID configuration

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managing foreign RAID configuration

 

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When transitioning RAID setups, especially when replacing or upgrading RAID controllers like your LSI MegaRAID SAS 9260-8i, the term "Foreign RAID Configuration" comes into play. Here's how you can manage it step by step.

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1. What Is a Foreign RAID Configuration?​

A foreign RAID configuration occurs when a RAID controller detects an existing RAID setup on connected drives, but the configuration does not match its own metadata. This often happens when drives are moved to a new RAID card or when a RAID card is replaced, as in your case.

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2. Steps to Resolve Foreign RAID Configuration​

To address this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Enter the RAID Card BIOS​

• Restart your server.
• Access the MegaRAID BIOS during boot by pressing the appropriate key (commonly Ctrl+H or Ctrl+R—prompted during boot if the RAID card is detected).

Step 2: Check for Foreign Configurations​

• Within the RAID BIOS utility (MegaRAID WebBIOS or Ctrl+R interface depending on your card firmware):
  1. Navigate to the Controller Properties or Foreign Configuration menu.
  2. If any foreign configurations are detected, you will be provided with one or more options.

Step 3: Options for Foreign Configurations​

• Import Foreign Configuration:
  • This imports the RAID configuration metadata from the drives to the RAID card. Use this if the new card should assume control of the previous RAID setup.
• Clear Foreign Configuration:
  • This deletes the foreign information, effectively resetting the drives' metadata. WARNING: Only do this if you plan to reconfigure the RAID from scratch or the previous RAID setup is no longer needed.
  Note: Choose Import Foreign Configuration to retain your RAID setup from before the card replacement.

Step 4: Verify Disks and RAID Status​

• After importing the foreign configuration, verify that:
  • All attached disks are detected.
  • The RAID volume status is Optimal (or equivalent).
• Rebuild the RAID array if required (this does not delete data).

Step 5: Boot into OS​

• Once the RAID configuration is imported and marked as optimal, boot into Windows Server.
• Check if the RAID volume is now visible under Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc).
  If still not visible, ensure disks are assigned drive letters (or reinitialize them if necessary—but again, only if data integrity is intact).

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3. In MegaRAID Storage Manager (Web Utility)​

If you prefer handling this in Windows, use MegaRAID Storage Manager/Software:

• Open the Megaraid software.
• It will likely detect a foreign configuration upon launch.
• Follow similar steps to import the foreign RAID setup.
• Once imported and validated, ensure the data is usable.

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4. Troubleshooting If It Doesn't Work​

If importing the foreign configuration fails or the RAID volume is still not visible, consider the following:

• Mismatch in Firmware: Confirm the firmware version matches the old RAID controller.
• Driver Issues: Ensure the server recognizes the new card with updated drivers installed.
• Hardware Integrity: Ensure no drive has failed in the RAID array during the controller swap.

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5. Prevention for Future Swaps​

• Always back up RAID controller configurations (most modern RAID cards allow exporting RAID metadata to a file).
• Keep firmware versions updated and consistent across hardware replacements.
• Avoid mixing disks from different RAID setups in a new controller to prevent compatibility issues.

Let me know if you have questions about any specific step or details!