When a RAID 5 controller fails...

[fredgiblet]

...can you save the array? I'm thinking about setting up a RAID 5 array but I want to know what will happen if my mobo goes tits up, will I have to scrounge up a new mobo of the same type? Just one that uses the same controller? Any RAID 5 controller? Thanks in advance.

 

[fredgiblet]

*bump*

Anyone? Please?

 

[SomeJoe7777]

In general, to recover a RAID array after a controller failure, you'll need the same controller to read the array, although it can be on a different motherboard. In some cases, a controller with the same capabilities from the same manufacturer will also work (this works with some Promise controllers, the Intel ICH 6R/7R/8R, and some others).

In dire cases, you can use RAID Reconstructor from Runtime software. It can destripe the RAID 5 into a single .img file that can be stored elsewhere without needing any special controller (you just need the ability to have all drives in the RAID accessible at the same time on standard hard disk controller(s)). You can then recover the files out of the .img with GetDataBack.

 

[fredgiblet]

Awesome, thanks.