asked on

SAN -- Dell EqualLogic, off support ?

What recommend do you have for UNSUPPORTED Dell
EqualLogic SAN hard drive replacements If the below comment from
http://www.networkcomputing.com/storage/diy-storage-why-i-built-my-own-san/a/d-id/1234137?
is true ?
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You can't add commodity drives, even the same model as the vendor sells, because the drive won't have the vendor's firmware. Downloading the manufacturer's firmware update utilities and trying to flash the drive with supported vendor firmware doesn't appeal to me. I'm confident I could reverse-engineer the firmware update to a point where it would work, but I'd be out of support, and possibly mistrustful of the modified drive's integrity.

Seth Simmons

if you have a drive failure, you can still get a replacement drive from dell
you'll just have to pay for it since it's out of warranty

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Max Sando

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finance_teacher

ASKER

I called Dell twice, stating that I will be off warranty and want to purchase the drive.

Both times Dell said NO, need to be on support to purchase EqualLogic drives.

Any suggestions ?

Max Sando

I see. Might have to buy some grey market drives on the open market. You should be able to buy singles on eBay.