Replace RAID Card, Use same RAID 1 Drvices, New Mobo
I have a Dell Poweredge 840 running SBS 2003 that has provided good service since mid-2007. I have been thinking about buying a stripped Poweredge 840 on Ebay with the same processor specs on the presumption that it is probably the same MB and chipset as I have now. The object would be that if there is a system failure on the in-service unit, I simply pull the hard disks, put them in the new box (which has the same model RAID card) plug in the RAM, and then boot.
1. What is the likelihood that everything will work just peachy from the get go? I guess I'd try booting to the old RAID card first, but would it boot to a different but same model card with the RAID 1 drives from the other box?
2. I maintain a running Acronis image backup using universal restore of the in production unit. If plan A is not likely to work, how about if created a new RAID 1 Array on the spare unit, then restored the image. The drivers should all be the same. All is well with the world?
Thanks for your responses.
1. What is the likelihood that everything will work just peachy from the get go? I guess I'd try booting to the old RAID card first, but would it boot to a different but same model card with the RAID 1 drives from the other box?
2. I maintain a running Acronis image backup using universal restore of the in production unit. If plan A is not likely to work, how about if created a new RAID 1 Array on the spare unit, then restored the image. The drivers should all be the same. All is well with the world?
Thanks for your responses.
jamietoner
I've done this before many times usually without issue. But having a good backup is essential
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The old and new RAID controllers are both SAS 5/IR, but Dell uses two different model numbers for them. The model number on the in service unit is UCS-51. The standby unit is UN939. From all other indications, the cards themselves are idential in that both run on the same driver.
Any importance?
Thanks
Any importance?
Thanks
You will be OK, that model of controller (which is a LSI controller, BTW), handles foreign imports just fine, but do upgrade firmware & BIOS (of the controller, not the motherboard, but upgrading motherboard always good idea) before attempting to import.
They are both SAS 5/iR cards, but Dell has multiple part numbers, reflecting when and where they were manufactured, so there may be a difference in firmware ... as dlethe said, updating them both to the latest (if possible - or at least to the same) version would be recommended. Also, as dlethe advised, updating the BIOS and ESM (if older than the original) would also be a good idea, as support for devices can vary from one BIOS/ESM version to another.