using SMART effectively

[hwilker]

I've been running a new unRAID server without trouble for about a month now and I;ve begun to explore how to use some of the additional tools that are available, specifically the SMART capabilities. I should also add that I'm a total Linus noob and have little knowledge of the finer points of Linux, scripts, config files, web servers and most everything non-Windows related. (BTW, it is a huge testament to unRAID that someone like me - literate in Windows - can run unRAID so successfully without too much need to delve deeply into the obscurities of the Linux command line. )

 

What I've been trying to understand is how to use SMART to periodically run SMART tests automatically, store the results or the parameters somewhere and perhaps even alert me if something is starting to be a problem.

 

I've looked at myMain and it's sm links. But, it looks like what that  does is print a SMART report with no indication of when the test was done. In my case, that would probably be when the disk was precleared I presume, since I'm pretty sure at least some of my hard drives have never had a SMART test run directly by me from the command line.

 

I've also looked at the SMART history report button on the User Scripts page and the thread it references but that thread doesn't make much sense to me, and also leaves me clueless as to how to automatically generate the reports that contain the data that database would track.

 

I realize my question is sort of broad but I'm not sure where to begin. Can anyone help me get pointed in the right direction to start using SMART effectively.

 

Thanks.

 

[abs0lut.zer0]

i think this might help...

http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=Console#smartctl

[dgaschk]

Some SATA/SAS cad require that you leave off the "-d ata" part. The sm links in myMain give the same info as typing the command.

[hwilker]

Thanks. I've used those commands once or twice before while setting up the system, but I guess I'm still confused and I think the problem may be the nature of SMART.

 

Is SMART something that is monitoring the disk and generating data automatically on a SMART enabled disk, and the report just prints out the current state, or is the information something that is only generated when you run the test and the report simply prints out the results of the last test you ran?  If the SMART data is continually being updated than the usage from myMain makes sense to me. Am I confused?

 

[Joe L.]

I've looked at myMain and it's sm links. But, it looks like what that  does is print a SMART report with no indication of when the test was done.

They are done when you click on the link.  (and re-done each time you next click on the link)

I've also looked at the SMART history report button on the User Scripts page and the thread it references but that thread doesn't make much sense to me, and also leaves me clueless as to how to automatically generate the reports that contain the data that database would track.

That button does need configuration and installation of a package that might not even be available now.

I realize my question is sort of broad but I'm not sure where to begin. Can anyone help me get pointed in the right direction to start using SMART effectively.

 

Thanks.

You would need to install the smarthistory package, and then run it on a routine basis so it can gather statistics over the working lifetime of your drives.

 

Other than that, if you see the "normalized" value of any of the parameters suddenly dropping lower and getting closer to its affiliated  failure threshold you can possible seek guidance.  (might be cause to RMA a drive)  Specifically look at re-alllocated sectors, and sectors pending re-allocation.

[hwilker]

Thanks. I think I've got a general idea of how to proceed now. Click on the SM link in myMain periodically for each drive and look at Reallocated Sectors and Sectors Pending Allocation (I'm assuming that's the variable listed as "Current_Pending_Sector"). I'm also assuming that the column labelled "VALUE" is the "normalized" value you are speaking of.

 

Thanks again.