Migrating RAID array to a different manufacturer controller

Migrating RAID array to a different manufacturer controller

[Fabien Salvi]

Hello,

Here is a question that is maybe a bit off topic.
Sorry for that...

Is it possible to migrate a RAID array from a manufacter controller to 
another ?
Is it depend on the level of RAID ?
I've already be able to read data from RAID 1 because it's simple 
mirroring (with Mylex DAC 960 controller).
But, it may not be the case for all controllers I suppose...

In fact, I have a server or a storage enclosure that use a CMD, 
ICP-Vortex or Mylex controller and I would like to get data from it.

Maybe it's possible with linux software RAID tools ?

What can differentiate from a controller to another ?
Maybe the parity block size ?


Thanks in advance for your help !

B.R.

-- 
Fabien SALVI      Centre de Ressources Informatiques
                   Archamps, France -- http://www.cri74.org
                   PingOO GNU/linux distribution : http://www.pingoo.org

Re: Migrating RAID array to a different manufacturer controller

[Ryan Weiss]

The stripe segment size, stripe order, the parameter block information
(depends on controller, some have, some don't) being compatible, and any
offset before starting storage space.  For the most part, I would count on
these things _not_ being compatible, and be happily surprised in any case
where it is.

Your best bet is to get the same controller (and have it run the same 
firmware rev), to pull data off.

Good luck,
Ryan

On Feb 17, 2003 at 6:10pm +0100 Fabien Salvi wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> Here is a question that is maybe a bit off topic.
> Sorry for that...
> 
> Is it possible to migrate a RAID array from a manufacture controller to 
> another ?
> Is it depend on the level of RAID ?
> I've already be able to read data from RAID 1 because it's simple 
> mirroring (with Mylex DAC 960 controller).
> But, it may not be the case for all controllers I suppose...
> 
> In fact, I have a server or a storage enclosure that use a CMD, 
> ICP-Vortex or Mylex controller and I would like to get data from it.
> 
> Maybe it's possible with linux software RAID tools ?
> 
> What can differentiate from a controller to another ?
> Maybe the parity block size ?
> 
> 
> Thanks in advance for your help !
> 
> B.R.

Re: Migrating RAID array to a different manufacturer controller

[Fabien Salvi]

Ryan Weiss a écrit:
> The stripe segment size, stripe order, the parameter block information
> (depends on controller, some have, some don't) being compatible, and any
> offset before starting storage space.  For the most part, I would count on
> these things _not_ being compatible, and be happily surprised in any case
> where it is.
> 
> Your best bet is to get the same controller (and have it run the same 
> firmware rev), to pull data off.
> 

Ok, I will try this.
Thanks for your advice, Ryan.


-- 
Fabien SALVI      Centre de Ressources Informatiques
                   Archamps, France -- http://www.cri74.org
                   PingOO GNU/linux distribution : http://www.pingoo.org

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Re: Migrating RAID array to a different manufacturer controller

[Steven Dake]

You have to use one driver to read the data from adaptor A and another 
driver to write the data to adaptor B after you have setup the RAID 
arrays on adaptor B to match that of adaptor A.  There is no homogenous 
way to access that data.  Dell had proposed a common superblock format, 
but that pretty much got shot down because it eases the ability of 
customers to switch vendors.

Thanks
-steve

Fabien Salvi wrote:

> Hello,
>
> Here is a question that is maybe a bit off topic.
> Sorry for that...
>
> Is it possible to migrate a RAID array from a manufacter controller to 
> another ?
> Is it depend on the level of RAID ?
> I've already be able to read data from RAID 1 because it's simple 
> mirroring (with Mylex DAC 960 controller).
> But, it may not be the case for all controllers I suppose...
>
> In fact, I have a server or a storage enclosure that use a CMD, 
> ICP-Vortex or Mylex controller and I would like to get data from it.
>
> Maybe it's possible with linux software RAID tools ?
>
> What can differentiate from a controller to another ?
> Maybe the parity block size ?
>
>
> Thanks in advance for your help !
>
> B.R.
>