Question External RAID5 died, can I replacement with similar model with no data loss?

[th1212]

I have a Mercury QX4 external RAID from OWC that I bought a few years ago. I set it up as a 4-disk RAID5 and use a RocketRaid esata card for mac that still works fine. Unfortunately I couldn't find the exact model of the QX4, but there's an updated version that's nearly the same. If I buy a new QX4 and put the disks in the same order, will my data be ok since I'm still using the same esata card, or will I risk losing all the data because the hardware RAID5 enclosure models are different?

 

[USAFRet]

A different model RAID enclosure may or may not recognize the drives in their current config and data.

This is why actual backups are critically important, and RAID of any type is not a backup.

 

[th1212]

This was the worst way for me to learn that lesson. Nearly 9TB is at risk of loss.

 

[prophet51]

This is one of the ways software raid can be superior. As long as the dying raid card didn't damage the data it should be ok with an identical raid card.

 

[ss202sl]

there are configuration settings on the drives themselves, so with the same raid card, you should be able to import these settings, and get to your data.

 

[kanewolf]

I have a Mercury QX4 external RAID from OWC that I bought a few years ago. I set it up as a 4-disk RAID5 and use a RocketRaid esata card for mac that still works fine. Unfortunately I couldn't find the exact model of the QX4, but there's an updated version that's nearly the same. If I buy a new QX4 and put the disks in the same order, will my data be ok since I'm still using the same esata card, or will I risk losing all the data because the hardware RAID5 enclosure models are different?

This sounds like an e-mail that needs to be sent to the manufacturer. They will have the best insight into the differences between products. They may have a "migration" document that will provide all the steps to move disks between the units.

 

[th1212]

This sounds like an e-mail that needs to be sent to the manufacturer. They will have the best insight into the differences between products. They may have a "migration" document that will provide all the steps to move disks between the units.

Thanks, I just got off the phone with tech support and she said it uses a different RAID controller and would result in reformatting the disks. Her suggestion was going to a data recovery specialist. Are there any DIY options? I was looking at "Toolkit for Data Recovery" from Stellar Data. They advertise their software can recover RAID5.

 

[USAFRet]

This was the worst way for me to learn that lesson. Nearly 9TB is at risk of loss.

"at risk" are the key words here. 'at risk' is much much better than 'already gone'.
The data is still good?

This is the time to buy 2x 6TB drives, and copy ALL that 9TB onto those drives. This is then an actual backup.

So no matter what happens to either set...you still have one full set of that data.
A new RAID enclosure is of no consequence...it does not have to be 'compatible'.

 

[th1212]

"at risk" are the key words here. 'at risk' is much much better than 'already gone'.
The data is still good?

This is the time to buy 2x 6TB drives, and copy ALL that 9TB onto those drives. This is then an actual backup.

So no matter what happens to either set...you still have one full set of that data.
A new RAID enclosure is of no consequence...it does not have to be 'compatible'.

Thanks, that's just what I was starting to do. Is there any software you recommend for extracting files from a RAID5?

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks, that's just what I was starting to do. Is there any software you recommend for extracting files from a RAID5?

Does it still work, or is it currently dead?

From your initial comment, it appears it still works.
If so, just copy/paste the data on to these new drives.

Later, with the new enclosure and its new blank RAID array...copy the data back.

 

[popatim]

First get yourself someplace to recover those 9tb to. As well as making sure you have a way to attach the 4 drives to your pc. Usb or internally.

I can't speak for Mecury but those type boxes often use linux to raid the drives which means it can be done, using linux, failry easily.
There are windows tools also but i'm pretty sure they all cost money.

 

[fzabkar]

Can you explain how the RAID box died? If you overvolted it with the wrong adapter, then there may be a simple DIY fix.