Have an IBM x3550 M3 server with 2 Disks -Raid 1 - running server 2003.

[DLL_Chicago]

I wanted to pull both disks out and keep so that I can place them back in if there were a failure to what I am about to attempt.
Step 1 - Pull existing Disks out.
Step 2 - Put two identical Disks in same two Drive bays.
Step 3 - Build new Raid 1 for new disk while retaining the original Raid 1 config on the Raid controller.
Step 4 - Image new Disk pair with Newer OS and install 3rd party software that is needed.
Step 5 - Remove the new drives and place original drives in if new image and software have issues.
My concern is that the original Disks will no longer be recognized as the Raid 1 that they were originally configured as and I would lose my original config and environment if the new drive image went south.
Any thoughts to if I am looking at a total disaster with this pattern of thinking?
I have backups but wanted to use this method so I can have the system back up very quickly.

 

[boosted1g]

First off dont make duplicate posts, only make one thread per issue.

Your config will be just fine if you are using a hardware raid. Meaning you are either using the motherboards SATA ports or you are using a deidcated hardware raid card.

If you are using a software raid solution or raid card that requires software configs then you will loose your configs when you put the new drives in.

Now since you are using RAID 1 there is nothing to be concerned about. If say you did loose your RAID config then you would just be able to boot right into windows and resetup your configs. Now if you had any other type of raid you would not be able to access your data and boot the drive wihtout the configs.

FYI when you install a new windows OS make sure to install the RAID driver with your windows installation when it asks about what disk to install windows to.

 

[DLL_Chicago]

Sorry for the time delay. Had to schedule this. I attempted the Drive swap and ran into the following.
The following VDs are missing: 00
If you proceed (orload the configuration utility), these VDs will be removed from your configuration. If you wish to use them at a later time, they will have to be imported. If you believe these VDs should be present, please power off your system and check your cables and ensure all disks are present. Press any key to continue, or 'C" to load the configuration utility.

Now from what I read im guessing its ok to remove the existing config because it should be stored on the physical disks that I removed. however im not entirely confident this is true and don't have any additional hardware to test this against.
Thoughts please.

 

[Saberus]

On a hardware RAID like what's on the x3550 M3, the configuration is saved on the disk. If you place both disks into the server it should pick up that configuration and run with it. the IBM might be picky though and request confirmation to use the disks in the configuration they supply.