Base Install of Debian Sarge with RAID
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RAID 1 and mdadm
This is a "How to" setup for RAID 1 on Linux. It is applied to Debian sarge, however through the use of mdadm (multiple devices admin) it should be able to work on various Linux installs.
RAID 1 setup with a NEW install of Debian Sarge
Two hard disks of 2gb in total each were setup with RAID. This is done through some careful looking in the Debian Install process.
- Make sure also to Choose - linux26 when booting the Debian Install CD
- Follow the install procedure for Creating Partitions VERY carefully.
- The key point is - when creating a volume, do not choose ext3 -> choose "RAID Volume" for Both hard disks.
- From the install process it is possible to get the RAID 1 array working perfectly. Note: LVM is NOT used.
General Information on Managing RAID
mdadm is the tool used to control and manage the RAID array.
mdadm -D /dev/md0 //Show the details of the md0 array mdadm -E /dev/sda1 //Examine the Hard Disk sda1 cat /proc/mdstat //Shows the RAID array. [UU]=2 disks are fine. [_U]=1 disk needsss rebuilding mdadm --examine --scan //Shows the disks and their array. This information should be in the config file /etc/mdadm/mdadm.conf
Monitoring a RAID Array
ps -eaf //It should show the Monitor already! - /sbin/mdadm -F -i /var/run/mdadm.pid -m root -f -s //To monitor manually -> mdadm --monitor --mail=root --delay=300 /dev/md0 nohup mdadm --monitor --mail=sysadmin --delay=300 /dev/md0 & //The & will background the monitoring
Prepare BOTH Hard Disks so EITHER one will boot via Grub
This MUST also be DONE after REBUILDING an ARRAY!!!
The MBR has to be reinstalled after having replaced the broken disk:
//For Disk 1 grub device (hd0) /dev/sda root (hd0,0) setup (hd0) //For Disk 2 grub device (hd1) /dev/sdb root (hd1,0) setup (hd1)
How to Rebuild an Array:
mdadm --add /dev/md0 /dev/sda1 mdadm --add /dev/md0 /dev/sdb1 //chose which ever one is necessary //MAKE SURE TO DO THE GRUB BOOT LOADER - OTHERWISE PC WONT BOOT!!!!!!!!!!!
Further Information can be found at:
http://www.networknewz.com/2003/0113.html
http://www.linuxmanpages.com/man8/mdadm.8.php
http://www.planamente.ch/emidio/pages/linux_howto_root_lvm_raid.php#Creating%20RAID%20devices //Excellent