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hot swap drive raid 5

I have a Dell server that has a software RAID 5 configuration. there are four drives in the array.I have recently replaced a failed hard drive.the drive was smaller than the other drives and was not able to assign it as a global hot spare.
my question is, am I able to remove the smaller drive without impacting the array or do I need to bring the server down to swap it outas we do not have a global hot spare

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PowerEdgeTech

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datzit

ASKER

I see it in open manage as part of the physical disks however I see a failed virtual disk. That must be the disc that is smaller. I'm heading in now to swap it out will reply when done to confirm. Thank you very much.

PowerEdgeTech

If it is showing alone as a virtual disk, then you must have imported its foreign configuration. Delete the VD associated with it.

sara2000

You should be able to identify the disks which are part of the RAID. Go into physical disk and Blink the LED and you will be able to see which disk belongs to VD. The smaller disk is not going to be part of the RAID array and you should be able to remove it as PE tech mentioned. Have you had Global spare disk prior to failure?
I would not delete the VD unless I am 100 % sure that the new disk is showing as a virtual disk. If i am like I will open a case with Dell and ask them to check.

datzit

ASKER

Thank you for your quick response. All worked out. Deleted the VD and then replaced.