Loading a RAID array after OS crash


 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Homework and Emergencies Emergency UNIX and Linux Support Loading a RAID array after OS crash
# 1  
Old 07-19-2010
Loading a RAID array after OS crash

One of my very old drive farm servers had an OS fault and can't boot now but I'd like to restore some files from it. I tried booting Ubuntu from a CD, but it couldn't see the drives -- possibly because they're RAIDed together. Is there a good way to get at my files?

The data in question is a series of old genotyping arrays (basically extremely high-res photos and some associated data files). The RAID level is just 1+0, I think. My predecessor's notes say that the system was Debian Sarge, but I think it's actually some version of Xubuntu (the OS was probably upgraded without the notes being changed). I have all the passwords as well as physical access to the system, but I don't know much about the original setup (it was all 'the last guy').

Any help would be appreciated. I don't think the lab would be willing to pay for a hard drive restoration service (16 RAID drives would presumably be fairly expensive), but anything short of that may be fair game.
# 2  
Old 07-20-2010
Was it a hardware or software RAID? With a hardware RAID, and the controller broke, you'll have to find another machine that uses the same controller and restore there. If it's a software RAID, use a Debian DVD, as the Ubuntu CD contains neither mdraid nor LVM, so it won't ever find your data.
# 3  
Old 07-20-2010
It's a hardware system, but I don't think the controller is broken -- it looks like simple OS corruption. I'll try the Debian disk, thanks for the tip!

---------- Post updated at 09:06 PM ---------- Previous update was at 10:55 AM ----------

I had some trouble with the Debian CD, so I went for a Knoppix LiveCD. It worked great! You've saved terabytes of research data, pat yourself on the back.
Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

9 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. UNIX for Beginners Questions & Answers

Loading associative array from exported function

Hello. I have an export of an associative array build using declare -p SOME_ARRAY_NAME > SOME_FILE_NAME.txt. Producing some thing like declare -A SOME_ARRAY_NAME=( ="some_text" ="a_text" ......... ="another_text" ) in a text file. I have a stock of functions which are sourced from... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: jcdole
1 Replies

2. UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

Revive RAID 0 Array From Buffalo Duo NAS

Thank you in advanced, I had a Buffalo DUO crap out on me that was setup as RAID 0. I dont belive it was the drives but rather the controller in the DUO unit. I bought another external HDD enclosure and was able to fireup the two older DUO drives in it and I think I resembled the RAID... (12 Replies)
Discussion started by: metallica1973
12 Replies

3. Shell Programming and Scripting

Problem with awk array when loading from shell variable

Hi, I have a problem with awk array when iam trying to use awk in solaris box as below..Iam unable to figure out the problem.. Need your help. is there any alternative to make it in arrays from variable values nawk 'BEGIN {SUBSEP=" "; split("101880|110045 101887|110045 101896|110045... (9 Replies)
Discussion started by: cskumar
9 Replies

4. Red Hat

missing raid array after reboot

Dear all , i ve configured raid 0 in redhat machine(VM ware), by following steps: #mdadm -C /dev/md0 -l 0 -n 2 /dev/sdb1 /dev/sdc1 #mkfs.ext3 /dev/md0 #mdadm --detail --scan --config=mdadm.conf >/etc/mdadm.conf then mounted the/dev/md0 device and also added a entry in fstab. how... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: sriniv666
2 Replies

5. Solaris

EFI Disk labels on 3510 raid array

Hi Peeps, Can anyone help me an EFI lablel on a 3510 raid array that I cannot get rid of, format -e and label just asks you if you want to label it. Want an SMI label writing to it. Anyone got any ideas on how to remove the EFI label? Thanks in advance Martin (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: callmebob
2 Replies

6. UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

Create RAID - Smart Array Tool - ML370

Hi guys, i must install an old old old ml370 server... I must create a RAID 5 with my 4 SCSI disk. I need a SmartStart disk for create it or a Floppy Disk called "Array configuration Tool". I don't find it on the hp website...:mad::mad::mad: Anyone have it?? Thanks in advance. Zio (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: Zio Bill
0 Replies

7. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Loading a comma Delimited file into an Array

Hello, I have been stuck on this aspect of loading a comma delimited file into an array. I thought i had the syntax right, but my commands are not working the way I want them to. Basically my cut command is splitting the file up by spaces and commas. I want the cut command to ignore white spaces.... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: grandtheftander
2 Replies

8. AIX

RAID level of array = false?

I created a RAID 5 array and when I list out the attributes of the "hdisk" it reports back raid_level = 5 but the RAID level of the array = false. What does this actually indicate about my array? I've never paid much attention to this until now since I have a disk reporting failure I want to make... (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: scottsl
0 Replies

9. UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

Percent complete error while scanning RAID array during 5.0.6 load

Percent complete SCO 5.0.6 / No longer an issue (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: Henrys
0 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question