Question: general RAID-1 questions + RAID-1 on two computers

Harry2o

Hi,

a couple of questions about the following scenario:

Let's say, we've got a server, two HDDs working on RAID-1. Then we got an second exact same computer (except the HDDs), which could function as emergency replacement. (But - until that emergency occurs it would be nice if that second comp could be used with its own HDD[s] as a normal computer)

The question would probably be: Which arrangements would have to be made, so - in case the server dies - all that needs to be done is putting the server's HDDs into the replacement comp (and possibly configure RAID, read on...).

Next question: Would it be possible, to take just ONE of the server's harddrives and put it into the second comp (without having RAID configured on the second comp)? Or do harddrives out of a RAID-1 refuse to work on their own (without controller)?

Next question: Let's say, we've got the mentioned emergency and I am putting the server's two harddrives into the second computer. Is it possible to configure RAID-1 on the second computer just then, or would I have to configure RAID-1 already before I am putting two "RAID-1 harddrives with data on them" in there?
(OK, in case I NEED to pre-configure RAID-1, but I wanna use the second computer normally before the server crashes. Therefore I would also be using two HDDs in the second computer running with RAID-1. So, when the emergency happens and I am switching the HDDs, will the RAID-1 controller notice and complain, that I put two unknown HDDs?)

And last (general) question: Is it possible, to use a computer with one harddrive for a while, and then I come up with the idea to use RAID-1. Could I just add a second harddrive (of course with same size) and tell the controller to run with RAID-1 and just continue using my system with the controller synchronizing?
How would the controller actually know that it needs to sychronize the empty drive with the used one and not the other way round (and me ending up with two synchronized empty drives )?

That's it so far

Cheers
~Harry

Andrei

it all depends on the raid hardware you are using and also the OS.

In case just one hdd fails on your first server u will be prompted to replace it and the raid1 array will be rebuild automatically.
In case your server dies and the HDD data remains intact ,u can take 1 hdd out put it in the backup server.
Now there are 2 options this depending on the raid hardware
Generally you will have to manually recreate the array but some other hardware place a marker on the disk recognizing that is part of an array and tries to rebuild it.
Also bare in mind that some OS'es might check if the hardware identification is the same.
For example u cannot register the same oem windows on 2 same hardware units

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Dogg

Your best bet, and the safest, is to simply have backups run frequently to another HDD. In the case of an emergency, you can take the backup HDD and move it to the spare server and copy the data to a new array on that server.

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