How to initialize a new RAID disk for first time usage on the Intel/StorageTek STK RAID controller

Asset ID:	1-71-1340463.1
Update Date:	2011-09-05
Keywords:

Solution Type Technical Instruction Sure

Solution 1340463.1 : How to initialize a new RAID disk for first time usage on the Intel/StorageTek STK RAID controller

Applies to:

Sun Netra X4250 Server - Version: Not Applicable and later   [Release: N/A and later ]
Sun Netra X4450 Server - Version: Not Applicable and later    [Release: N/A and later]
Sun Blade RAID Module - Version: Not Applicable and later    [Release: N/A and later]
Sun Fire X4140 Server - Version: Not Applicable and later    [Release: N/A and later]
Sun Fire X4150 Server - Version: Not Applicable and later    [Release: N/A and later]
Information in this document applies to any platform.

Goal

When replacing a disk on a Intel / Adaptec based StorageTek RAID card the disk will not always initialize without intervention. Additionally, the disk may not be viewable to the operating system.
This document describes the two ways to initialize the disk from within the RAID BIOS utility and using the Storman operating system graphical user interface (GUI).

By initializing the disk, the disk will automatically be placed back in to the array be rebuilt.
Due to some differences in disk geometry and size the spare may not always sync properly and need to be initialized.

Solution

Process using the Intel / Adaptec Configuration Utility (ACU):

Power-cycle your server.
During power up, press <CTRL><A> to bring up the ARCU RAID BIOS utility when prompted.

A message appears, and then the ARCU opens.
Select "Array Configuration Utility".
The Array Configuration Utility appears.
Select "Initialize Drives".
A list of drives appears.
Select drives to initialize.
Use the arrow keys to scroll through the list and use the <INSERT> key to select a drive.

Note - You can select many drives, and initialize them all at once, even if they are going to be in different volumes or arrays.
When you have selected the drive or all the drives to be initialized, press <ENTER>.
A message warns you that initializing a drive erases array information from it.
Type "yes".
The utility initializes the selected drives, and the main screen appears.

Steps for initializing the drives using the Storman graphical user interface (GUI):

Initializing Disk Drives:
You can use the Sun StorageTek RAID Manager software to initialize any disk drives
that are in a "Ready" state, if required. You may want to do this to erase all existing
data and metadata (including all logical drive information).

*****Caution Do not initialize a disk drive that is part of a logical drive.
Initializing a disk drive that's part of a logical drive may make the logical drive unusable.
Back up all data from your disk drive before you initialize it.

To Initialize a Single Disk Drive:
1. In the "Physical Devices" view, click the disk drive you want to initialize.

2. In the menu bar, choose "Actions" > "Initialize".

Initialize GUI

3. Click "Yes" to initialize the disk drive.
The initialization begins.

Once the initialize is done the drive should be placed into the array and then rebuild should start.

Attachments

This solution has no attachment