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Some of the states listed below may have the addition of /patch (for example build/patch,
ready/patch). This indicates that the original array drive went through a significant procedure, for
example, the parity information was recalculated anew. Or, the array drive has been patched from
the error state into the fail state. This may become helpful in a situation where two logical drives of
an array drive fail at the same time, but only one of the two logical drives is really defective and the
other was blocked out since it was connected with the same I/O channel as the defective one. The
array drive's state is error and normally all data would be lost. Intel RAID Controller SRCU31
includes some functions that allow the patch of this array drive from the error state into the fail sate.
Before the actual patch, the defective drive has to be physically removed from the array drive.
Such a patch procedure should only be used after a consultation with a trained support person (a
printout of the Save Information file, is extremely helpful).
Pressing <F4> delivers level-by-level detailed information on a host drive and its components.
This may assist in getting an overview of a specific host drive. After pressing <F5>, the Intel
RAID Controller SRCU31 switches the LEDs (if available) of the hard disk drives belonging to that
host drive on and off.
Idle State:
The idle state is characterized by the fact that the redundant information of the disk array has never
been entirely created. The disk array is in this state after its first configuration and until you quit
StorCon. Should an error occur while the array is in the build state, the array returns to idle. The
exception is that if during build mode the dedicated drive of RAID 4 fails, the mode changes to fail.
Build State:
After the disk array has been configured for the first time, it assumes the build state as soon as you
quit StorCon. While the array is in the build state, redundancy information is calculated and stored
to the hard disk drives of the array.
Ready State:
The disk array is fully operational when in the ready state. All redundant information is present, for
example, a hard disk drive can fail without impairing the functionality of the disk array. This is the
normal state of a disk array. The state ready/expand indicates that the RAID level and/or capacity
are currently migrated/expanded.
Fail State:
The disk array changes to the fail state whenever a logical drive fails. Redundancy information is
still present, thus allowing the remaining hard disk drives to continue working. This state should be
eliminated as soon as possible by replacing the defective hard disk drive. If a so-called hot fix (hot
spare) drive has previously been assigned to a disk array with StorCon, the controller will
automatically replace the defective drive and start the reconstruction of the data and the redundant
information. Therefore, under these circumstances the fail state is only temporary and will be
eliminated by the controller itself.
Rebuild State:
The disk array will assume the rebuild state after the automatic activation of a hot fix drive or after
a manual replacement carried out with StorCon. The data and the redundant information are
reconstructed and stored to the new drive.
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Intel RAID SRCU31 Users Guide
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