How to add a new array through CLI
 

Hi guys. Eventually I'm going to have to add a new external array to a RHEL server. I'm good with installing the controller card into the server physically, booting it and dropping into the BIOS to RAID5 the array, but once Linux starts to boot, i'm clueless. Any tips or good articles out there I should read?

Does the new array show in the drive list when you issue:

fdisk -l


Regards,

Fordeck

I don't actually have the array yet, it's in the mail! I'm just trying to prepare. someone told me that the server might not come up right when I do this, so trying to do some background before I blow up a server :-( something about adding new drives to linux, he couldn't really explain. not sure if it has to do with the partition table or whatever its called in linux.

If I remember correctly once you've added the controller and drives, using the controllers firmware to setup your array. You should be able to see the array as a single drive using 'fdisk -l' once booted. You should then be able to setup that drive using fdisk, and then put a file system on it using mkfs. Then create a mount point to mount it to. Depending on your particular hardware/system your mileage may vary.


Regards,

Fordeck

Thanks for the advice. Guess I'm just extra paranoid because of the server i have to add it into, its kinda important.

Its prob simpler to boot the system off the install DVD and add it in from there.
You'll be able to test the functionality without booting from the normal boot disk.
I take it you've checked the RH HW compatibility KB? !!

It's the exact same array, just with bigger drives, that's currently in the system now, so I think it should be good.

I'm not following how I would run the install CD to install a new array, won't that mess up my existing server which i'm adding this new array into?

When the DVD boots up, you get a text prompt, enter

linux rescue

you then mount your normal system so you can read/write to it, but the OS you're actually running is the one in RAM from the DVD, not the one on the HDD.
Very handy way to test stuff without messing up your HDD. When you're happy, you can add the fstab entry to your HDD.

OH, that does sound like a handy feature!!

I've actually never added storage to an existing server, better figure out fstab...