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Lyons Gu

1 Rookie

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10 Posts

217

January 29th, 2024 16:49

RAID 1 test// Poweredge T350

Hi,

The customer wants to test the RAID 1 with following steps to verify its reliability (the data are stored twice by writing them to both the data drive and a mirror drive).

 

  1. Remove the first one HDD (Hot plug) and check if server is working properly.
  2. Insert the first one HDD to the server (Hot plug).
  3. Waiting the first one HDD rebuilding the new hard drive from the working one.
  4. Remove the other one after 24 hours? (How to know the rebuilding process is finished), check if server is working properly.

Pls. help to check if these steps are feasible. 

One more question How to know the first HDD rebuilding process is finished after inserted it to the server.

BR,

Lyons Gu

Dell-Martin S

Moderator

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3.3K Posts

January 30th, 2024 13:14

Hi,

 

1. Could you please provide the link for the controller BIOS and openmanage tools.

 

BIOS https://dell.to/3OjM17h

OME Enterprise: https://dell.to/4bk3yG8

 

For futher Software and drivers you could find here everything you need:

 

https://dell.to/3SkT4NZ


2. How to back up the HDD of server? which tools? any instruction?

 

Backing up the hard disk drive (HDD) of a server is a critical task to ensure data integrity and recovery in case of hardware failures, data corruption, or other disasters. There are various tools and methods available for backing up server data. Here's a general guide to help you get started:

1. Identify Backup Requirements:

  • Determine what data needs to be backed up.
  • Define the frequency of backups (daily, weekly, etc.).
  • Decide on the retention period for backups.

2. Choose Backup Tools:

There are several backup tools available, and the choice often depends on your specific server environment. Some popular options include:

  • 1. Built-in OS Tools:
    • Windows Server: Windows Server Backup
    • Linux: rsync, tar, Bacula
  • 2. Third-party Backup Solutions:
    • Veeam, Acronis, Backup Exec, Commvault, etc.

3. Plan Backup Storage:

  • Select a reliable and secure backup storage solution. Options include external hard drives, network-attached storage (NAS), cloud storage (AWS S3, Azure Blob Storage, Google Cloud Storage), or a combination for a 3-2-1 backup strategy.

4. Configure Backup Schedule:

  • Set up a regular backup schedule based on your defined requirements.
  • Ensure that backups do not impact server performance during critical business hours.

5. Full and Incremental Backups:

  • Consider a combination of full and incremental backups to optimize storage usage and speed up the backup process.

6. Encryption and Compression:

  • Enable encryption to protect sensitive data during transit and storage.
  • Use compression to reduce the size of backup files.

7. Test Backup and Restoration:

  • Periodically test your backup and restoration process to ensure data recoverability.
  • Simulate a recovery scenario to confirm that your backup strategy is effective.

8. Monitor and Automate:

  • Implement monitoring tools to track the success and failure of backups.
  • Automate backup tasks to reduce the risk of human error.

9. Documentation:

  • Maintain documentation outlining your backup procedures, schedules, and recovery processes.

Example Backup Commands:

Linux (using rsync):

rsync -av --delete /source/directory/ /backup/directory/
 

Windows (using Windows Server Backup):

wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:E: -include:C:\ -allCritical -vssFull -quiet
 

Additional Tips:

  • Offsite Backups: Consider storing backups offsite for added protection against physical disasters.
  • Versioning: Some backup solutions support versioning, allowing you to keep multiple versions of files.

Remember that the exact steps and commands may vary based on your server's operating system and the backup tool you choose. Always refer to the documentation provided by the backup tool for specific instructions. Additionally, consider seeking assistance from your IT department or a qualified professional if you are unsure about any aspect of the backup process.

DELL-Chris H

Moderator

 • 

8.9K Posts

January 29th, 2024 21:14

Lyons Gu,
 
All of those steps are fine to perform, as long as you are letting the rebuild complete prior to removing the other drive. 
Also, if there is data present on these drives I would highly recommend that you get a complete backup of the data before testing the raid.
Lastly, if you want to monitor the rebuild status then you could use either the controller BIOS,, or one of the OpenManage tools, which you can find under Systems Management on the T350 support page. 
 
Let me know if this helps.
 
 
 

Lyons Gu

1 Rookie

 • 

10 Posts

January 30th, 2024 07:30

Hello Chris,

Thank you for your supporting.

There are some questions:

1. Could you please provide the link for the controller BIOS and openmanage tools.

2. How to back up the HDD of server? which tools? any instruction?

BR,

Lyons Gu

Lyons Gu

1 Rookie

 • 

10 Posts

February 6th, 2024 01:45

@Dell-Martin S​

- The server can be reboot during the HDD rebuilding?

- which menu under BIOS can be checked the HDD rebuilding progress?

DELL-Joey C

Moderator

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3.5K Posts

February 6th, 2024 03:33

Hi,

 

It is advisable not to reboot the server while rebuilding, but to answer your question, yes you can. In order to obtain good data integrity, it is advisable to not reboot the server, as there is no guarantee at times, rebuild process may get bad IO or parity, resulting not able to boot into OS. That is the reason of data backup. 

 

You will need to access to RAID Controller BIOS, usually it is Ctrl-R during POST, but to access it, you need to reboot the server. Hence, it is advisable to install OpenManage to monitor the status. 

 

Also, I want to provide my personal opinion about removing a drive to monitor RAID status. Usually RAID controller has the capability to detect drive SMART status and failure detection, hence the controller will do its duty to fail a drive but not immediately. From your action of removing the drive, the controller do not have enough time to fully calculate parity while data is written. So I could advise using OpenManage to offline the drive before removing the drive out as your simulation of failed disk. 

Lyons Gu

1 Rookie

 • 

10 Posts

February 16th, 2024 16:14

Hello,

our OS of server is Windows server 2022 standard version 21H2, please advise which version of openmanage (OVF, KVM, VHD) should be used? the openmanage is free and no license required?

BR,

Lyons Gu

DELL-Chris H

Moderator

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8.9K Posts

February 16th, 2024 16:37

Lyons Gu,
 
There are a couple of options, OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) as well as OpenManage Enterprise (OME). that would work with the OS and platform. In my personal opinion I would go with OME as it has more ability. I provided the links to both above, but they can be found under the servers driver and downloads page, under Systems Mgmt, here.
 
 
Let me know if this helps.
 
 

Lyons Gu

1 Rookie

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10 Posts

February 19th, 2024 07:28

Hi,

Regarding to the Dell OpenManage Enterprise, there are three formats, KAM format, Microsoft Hyper-V format and OVF format.

Which format of OME should be used for the Windows server 2022 standard version 21H2? the OME is free and no license required?

Best Regards,

Lyons Gu

Dell-Martin S

Moderator

 • 

3.3K Posts

February 19th, 2024 12:17

You're correct that Dell OpenManage Enterprise (OME) comes in three main formats: KAM, Microsoft Hyper-V, and OVF. Here's the breakdown for your specific case:

Windows Server 2022 Standard Version 21H2 and OME compatibility:

  • Supported: Yes, OME supports Windows Server 2022 Standard version 21H2.
  • Free or Licensed: There's a free "Basic" edition of OME with limited features, but for full functionality, you'll need a paid license.

Choosing the right format:

  • KAM format: This is Dell's native virtual appliance format designed for deployment on bare-metal servers or vSphere environments. Not applicable in your case as you mentioned running on Windows Server 2022.
  • Microsoft Hyper-V format: This format is specifically designed for deployment on Hyper-V hypervisors. Ideal choice for your scenario if you're running Windows Server 2022 in a Hyper-V environment.
  • OVF format: This is a more generic open format that can be deployed on various hypervisors or cloud platforms. It's more versatile but might require additional configuration depending on your environment. You can choose this if you're unsure about your future infrastructure or need portability across different platforms.

Recommendation:

Based on your information, I recommend using the Microsoft Hyper-V format as it's specifically designed for your environment and simplifies deployment.

Additional resources:

Key points to remember:

  • Choose the format based on your deployment environment (Hyper-V or other).
  • Consider future needs when choosing OVF's portability versus Hyper-V's simplicity.
  • While a "Basic" free edition exists, most features require a paid license.

I hope this clarifies the options and helps you choose the right format for your needs!

Lyons Gu

1 Rookie

 • 

10 Posts

February 26th, 2024 07:01

@Dell-Martin S​ 

Hello Chris,

Thank you for your reply.

There are some questions for the OMSA:

1. The OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) also able to monitor RAID status?

2. The OMSA is free and no license required?

3. What is the User name and password when login the OMSA?

Best Regards,

Lyons Gu

DELL-Erman O

Moderator

 • 

2.5K Posts

February 26th, 2024 07:21

Hello, I replied your questions below:

  1. Can OMSA monitor RAID status? Yes, Dell OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA) is a software agent that provides a comprehensive, one-to-one systems management solution. It can be used to monitor the status of physical disks, including those in a RAID configuration.

  2. Is OMSA free and does it require a license? Dell OpenManage Server Administrator is available for download and use without any additional licensing.

  3. What is the username and password when logging into OMSA? The default login for OMSA typically uses the credentials of the account that was used to install OMSA. For a Windows system, this is usually the Administrator account. For a Linux system, the default username is typically “root” and the password is the root password. However, it’s important to note that these credentials can be changed by the system administrator for security reasons.

Hope that helps!

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