mdadm: re-assembling raid array on new installation
 

Hello

I have a server at the moment with several software RAID 1 partitions and one software RAID 10 partition (/dev/md4) with data in it.

I need to reinstall the server, but I don't want to lose the data in the RAID 10 partition.

If I copy the line in mdadm.conf relating to md4, reinstall my server and then paste the md4 line back into mdadm.conf, will the new installation be able to reassmble the md4 partition without any lose of data?

Thanks in advance for your help

Hamish

Hi hamish,

yes you can copy that line to the new file to re-use that raid. You must be extra careful not to write anything to the partitions that compose the raid 10.
Deppending on the distro you'll install your raid raid should/could be automagicly detected.

Hope this helps

JdogPC

WHen you say not to write anything to the partitions, this is because if they are changed then they will not be able to be reassembled, correct?

H

Yes and depending on how many or on which partitions you may render all information unrecoverable.

just to be on the safe side, if you can I'd advise you to remove/unplug those disk during installation.