LSI 8217-8i failed, can I use the array via Windows disk management?

[thunderrd]

Hi, I have a RAID 1e array that was created and used on an LSI 8217-8i for some years now. The card has failed, and I've ordered a new one but have to wait several weeks for delivery.

For a test I plugged the array into my mainboard SATA ports, but Windows does not recognize it; the three disks are displayed in Disk management, but Windows wants to activate/format, etc because the array isn't recognized.

Is there any way to plug the array directly into my mainboard SATA ports, and use it in Windows while I wait for the new RAID card, or do I have to wait for it?

I suspect there is no way to do this, but it's a shot in the dark.

Thanks

 

[i386]

I think you will have to wait for the new controller.

The raid controller uses it's own format to take advantage of the controllers capabilities (cache, caching algorithms, io optimization etc.).
Windows (and usually Linux/*nix) doesn't know/understands that format.

 

[thunderrd]

That's what I thought, thanks for the confirmation.

 

[DavidWJohnston]

RAID controller disk formats are proprietary as @i386 said - Data recovery companies have software than can emulate it for rescuing corrupted arrays. I don't know if this is freely available or how easy it is to make work.

Once you get a comparable card, it will recognize it as a foreign array and you will be able to import it.

When in Windows disk manager, be careful not to click "Initialize Disk" because that will ruin your array.

Good Luck

 

[thunderrd]

RAID controller disk formats are proprietary as @i386 said - Data recovery companies have software than can emulate it for rescuing corrupted arrays. I don't know if this is freely available or how easy it is to make work.

Once you get a comparable card, it will recognize it as a foreign array and you will be able to import it.

When in Windows disk manager, be careful not to click "Initialize Disk" because that will ruin your array.

Good Luck

Thanks for taking time to respond.
I don't have to wait too long and am getting exactly the same card, so it's just until the end of the month or so.

Just for future reference, would all LSI cards use the same proprietary formats? I mean, if a 2308 based card isn't available would, say, a 2008 do?