Hi guys. So I'm a newbie and just got UNraid for 6 drives.

 

I have an HP N36L server.

Currently 3 drives with one cache drive. I have 2 more drives coming

 

I understand once I set a parity drive one drive will be protected.

 

But, can someone please explain how this process will go down?

 

1)How will I actually know that a drive is starting to fail? I'm running headless so if unraid just shuts down I won't be able to know what's wrong?

Is there some sort of monitoring that unraid does on it's own?

 

2) once you guys help me out with #1 above, how will I know which specific drive failed inside the box? I understand it will probably identify it by a serial number, but is there a way to keep track of which drive inside the unit is actually that serial?

Is there an app for this that will help you remember? Or will I just have to pull out each drive individually to check the serial?

 

Thanks again everyone! This forum has been super helpful and I am excited about my new unraid.

guys, no one can help explain this to me?

http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php/FAQ

Hi guys. So I'm a newbie and just got UNraid for 6 drives.

 

I have an HP N36L server.

Currently 3 drives with one cache drive. I have 2 more drives coming

 

I understand once I set a parity drive one drive will be protected.

Once you assign a parity drive and initially calculate parity the assigned data drives will be protected from a single disk failure.  The cache drive is NEVER protected against a failure.

But, can someone please explain how this process will go down?

 

1)How will I actually know that a drive is starting to fail?

unRAID has NO built in warnings other than what it shows on its web-management page, and even then you'll need to "refresh"the web-page in the browser to see them..

I'm running headless so if unraid just shuts down I won't be able to know what's wrong?

Correct, and neither will anyone else if it shuts down.

Is there some sort of monitoring that unraid does on it's own?

If a single drive fails a"write" it will disable it and simulate it using parity and the remaining data disks until you replace it.  Note: with a disk disabled you will STILL be able to read and write to it.    Both will be handled by parity in combination with all the other data disks.    Do not run in this mode longer than necessary, since if a second data disk fails at the same time, you'll lose the contents of both data disks. 

 

As I said, to minimize the concurrent failure possibility, do not run in degraded mode (with a disk disabled) any longer than necessary.  Replace failed drives ASAP (or fix the underlying cause if other hardware)

 

unRAID keeps a log of system events and errors in memory...  The "syslog" ... It is important for clues in the event of a failure, but it is lost if the server is rebooted or crashes.  (A UPS will keep the server online during short power outages.  Get one.)

 

unRAID will show the disabled disk with a "red" indicator on its management web-page.  By default and in its stock form, it makes no other notification.  You must periodically visit the management web-page to see its status.

2) once you guys help me out with #1 above, how will I know which specific drive failed inside the box?

It will be the one with the "red" indicator.  It does not mean the disk has failed though, just "one or more" writes to the disk failed.  It  could be as simple as a loose cable to the drive.  The management interface will list the disk by model/serial number.  YOU must track which drive s which by model/serial number.  Most people put a label on each drive with the last few characters of the serial number.  It will help you to identify a given drive otherwise.

 

You can see how I did it on one of my servers here:

I understand it will probably identify it by a serial number, but is there a way to keep track of which drive inside the unit is actually that serial?

Yes, by you putting a label on the physical drive with the serial number.

Is there an app for this that will help you remember?

Yes, do a screen print of the disk assignment page.  Save it somewhere...

Or will I just have to pull out each drive individually to check the serial?

You can do that too.... But there are easier ways.

Thanks again everyone! This forum has been super helpful and I am excited about my new unraid.

There are add-ons to enable the unRAID server to send an e-mail if a disk is disabled,  and if the temperature rises too high... those might work for you.  There are some operations where you will need a monitor and keyboard, so keep one around for those tasks.

 

Have fun. 

 

Joe L.