Mango-Man
asked on
imaging solution to use with Dell Poweredge 2950 and SAS RAID 5
Hi all,
We have to upgrade a client's old Dell 2950 Poweredge, first of all imaging the machine, then swapping out the current 6 SAS disk RAID array for higher capacity disks, then restoring the image to the new array.
I know from past experience that these machines and RAID arrays don't always play nice with imaging software (last time it was Ghost I think, can't remember if tried Acronis).
Does anyone have similar experience doing a similar thing with the same server, and can they recommend an imaging utility that is known to work?
Thanks
We have to upgrade a client's old Dell 2950 Poweredge, first of all imaging the machine, then swapping out the current 6 SAS disk RAID array for higher capacity disks, then restoring the image to the new array.
I know from past experience that these machines and RAID arrays don't always play nice with imaging software (last time it was Ghost I think, can't remember if tried Acronis).
Does anyone have similar experience doing a similar thing with the same server, and can they recommend an imaging utility that is known to work?
Thanks
serchlop
I have created a bootable CD with Bart PE documentation adding the drivers for the storage controller for the server. This allow me to boot from a live Windows 2003 CD and access the information in RAID 5. Then I use a tool called snapshoot drive, you don't need to install it or anything, only run one exe file. Create a full backup and check it. Then I change the HDs, delete the old array and then create the new one with new hds. Boot again with Live CD and use the same tool to restore.
I would suggest you Paragon Drive Backup 10 Server www.drive-backup.com
Image the configuration either from installed copy of DB or using boot WinPE CD.
Then reconfigure it with newer drives and restore from backup.
WinPE CD has Add Driver option that allows you loading driver for this specific controller while you are working from WinPE (store the drivers on diskette or USB flash stick). Thus it guarantees that the RAID is detected properly.
Image the configuration either from installed copy of DB or using boot WinPE CD.
Then reconfigure it with newer drives and restore from backup.
WinPE CD has Add Driver option that allows you loading driver for this specific controller while you are working from WinPE (store the drivers on diskette or USB flash stick). Thus it guarantees that the RAID is detected properly.
ASKER
thanks both of you, interesting that you both use PE environments...
While I've not heard of snapshoot drive, Paragon has cropped up once or twice.
still awaiting the downtime to do this job, amidst some other details.
no-one has mentioned Acronis yet, although I thought that would be popular?
Does anyone else have input?
While I've not heard of snapshoot drive, Paragon has cropped up once or twice.
still awaiting the downtime to do this job, amidst some other details.
no-one has mentioned Acronis yet, although I thought that would be popular?
Does anyone else have input?
I have used Acronis to restore a image in another server, it has many good features, like add drivers and change hardware to destination server. IF you have the budget or the right license, any of these softwares are good options. I have used norton ghost. And I have used Windows 2008 backup tools and windows deployment services too (WDS).
The important is to get access to the RAID to write in them, you can use a live cd (Bart PE is one option, UBCD another, Windows 2008 boot cd another) but the storage drivers is the main component to restore the server image.
The important is to get access to the RAID to write in them, you can use a live cd (Bart PE is one option, UBCD another, Windows 2008 boot cd another) but the storage drivers is the main component to restore the server image.
I never had problems with Paragon. It uses Windows VSS service for online backups. And for restore you boot from its own WinPE which has Add Driver feature in case standard WinPE does not detected the controller with default pack of drivers.
ASKER
Thanks everyone, Paragon deos seem to be well liked.
The following is also of interest regarding Paragon, and gives a great step by step.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26562446/HOW-DO-I-IMAGE-A-RAID-5-ARRAY.html
Also I've just discovered that the ARCserve backup software already used for backups on the server (this is not administered by us) has the ability to create boot images, with the correct RAID drivers, although I have not used this before, to allow subsequent restore from Tape backup. I am not sure if I fancy trying it for the first time on limited downtime for a crucial production server though.
The server we are upgrading is holds about 300GB in data, so time is a major issue here, with only 24 hours to do the work.
The following is also of interest regarding Paragon, and gives a great step by step.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26562446/HOW-DO-I-IMAGE-A-RAID-5-ARRAY.html
Also I've just discovered that the ARCserve backup software already used for backups on the server (this is not administered by us) has the ability to create boot images, with the correct RAID drivers, although I have not used this before, to allow subsequent restore from Tape backup. I am not sure if I fancy trying it for the first time on limited downtime for a crucial production server though.
The server we are upgrading is holds about 300GB in data, so time is a major issue here, with only 24 hours to do the work.
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ASKER
attempted to use suggestions from this question, but found another more suitable solution that worked really well from elsewhere, so am giving as solution to my original issue