Avago LSI MegaRaid 9260-8i cannot import foreign config

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PeteD

New Member
Nov 11, 2019
2
1
1
Hello,

After a HBA failure I've replaced it with the identical model I had.
When booted up it presented me the screen to import a foreign config.
Nothing unexpected so far, however the problem began when it failed to import that foreign config.
Booting into Windows and using MSM, given me the similar error:
"Foreign drives cannot be imported as they don't form a complete configuration."

There were 3 HDDs and 2 virtual drives. 2xHDD (7200 NL-SAS) in RAID1 and a single drive (SATA 7200) in RAID0.
My assumption is that data on all drives is still intact (except raid config?).

My questions are:
1. Can I clear the config WITHOUT losing data?
2. Re-create the RAID1 and force online without initialization?

or
3. Create a virtual drive using a single drive and copy the data over before rebuilding RAID.

I can move HDD no3. and attach it directly to the motherboard, however the most important data sits on 2xSAS disks and therefore that's not an option.

4. Can I use a different HBA (HP P212) to 'import' a single disk just to make data visible?

5. Contemplating whether Seagate st1000nm0023 is capable of operating in SATA mode in which case could be a matter of a SAS to SATA converter?

6. Or have I got this completely wrong and data on disks cannot be read by standard MB SATA controller due to additional metadata that HBAs write on the disk?


Any suggestions welcome, as I am trying to avoid restoring backups and rebuilding a complete virtualization server.
 
Last edited:

j_h_o

Active Member
Apr 21, 2015
644
179
43
California, US
  1. An HBA is different from a RAID controller; you mention HBA, but then you're talking about a 9260-8i which is a RAID controller. You previously had the exact same controller?
  2. If you clear config from the disks you will lose data.
  3. How did you realise the previous controller had failed? Perhaps it was spraying bad bits onto the disks as well...?
You should flash the controller to the latest/same-as-previous firmware. Then it should import the foreign disks. There won't be data loss.
 

PeteD

New Member
Nov 11, 2019
2
1
1
Hi all.

First of all, thanks for your replies.

I managed to solve it and I thought I'd just post what worked for me which will save someone else some day :)

Although I was lucky enough this time, I cannot stress how important is to have a fresh backup as I was inches from disaster!

And yes it's not a HBA it's a RAID Card, my bad.


Here is how I've solved it.
1. Removed LSI card, and replaced it with an HP P212 that I had lying around.
2. Booted into bare-metal Unix (FreeBSD in my case, but any Linux should do) system in preparation for cloning.
Wonders happened here - HP card detected a RAID1 with all the data intact
3. Bit-wise copy the original data from the RAID1 onto a 'salvage' HDD.
4. Verify that clone is working and disconnect it.
5. Put LSI card back in, gone into RAID config (Web-bios) clear the existing config (as LSI card still does not like it!) and reconfigure the RAID1 with the same parameters.
6. IMPORTANT! If you want to retain the original data, finish RAID config, but DO NOT perform initialization.
7. After reboot RAID came back up and booted. Happy days!

I'd not take for granted that clearing config and re-creating would always get your data back, as few people pointed out already.
 
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