11.0 HP StoreVirtual Storage User Guide (AX696-96275, December 2013)

Replacing a disk
The correct procedure for replacing a disk in a storage system depends upon a number of factors,
including the RAID configuration, the data protection level of volumes and snapshots, and the
number of disks being replaced. Replacing a disk in a storage system that is in a cluster requires
rebuilding data on the replaced disk.
Replacing a disk in a storage system includes the following basic steps.
• Planning for rebuilding data on either the disk or the entire storage system
• Physically replacing the disk in the storage system
• Rebuilding RAID on the disk or on the storage system
NOTE: Because data is distributed evenly across all drives in a RAID set, it is likely that all drives
in a storage system will wear at the same rate.
Table 11 (page 41) lists disk replacement requirements for specific configurations and storage
systems.
Table 11 Disk replacement requirements
RequirementsStorage system or configuration
RAID is normal and Safe to Remove status is yes. See “Replacing disks in
hot-swap storage systems” (page 42).
Hot-swap storage systems configured
for RAID 1+0, 5, or 6
Replace disk on host server according to manufacturer's instructions.VSA
Additional information about preparing for disk replacement is included in the following sections
below:
• “Preparing for a disk replacement” (page 43)
• “Best practice checklist for disk replacement” (page 43)
Using Repair Storage System
Repair Storage System is a procedure that allows you to replace a disk and trigger only one resync
of data, rather than a complete restripe. Repair Storage System creates a place-holder system in
the cluster, while allowing the storage system needing repair to be removed for the disk replacement.
See “Repairing a storage system” (page 138) for more information.
In the following circumstances, you may have to use the Repair Storage System feature when
replacing disks.
• When replacing multiple disks on a storage system with RAID 5 or RAID 6
• When multiple disks on the same mirror set need to be replaced on a storage system with
RAID 1+0.
Replacing a disk 41