ATTO R680 + Sans Digital TR8X-B RAID degraded after 3 days

[Chris Murphy]

For it to become degraded in 3 days isn’t normal. If the firmware update explicitly fixes a problem that’s the direct result of the array going degraded, then great. But the only way you’d know this is if you or someone checked the array log, understands why the array went degraded, and is familiar with the changelog for the firmware update. Otherwise, I’m skeptical it’s just magically going to be fixed with a firmware update.

While the Reds aren’t enterprise drives, they do have the proper error time out that enables bad sector “repair” (via overwrite) on any read (including read only scrubs).

[Tim Jones]

[Reinis Traidas] “After a couple of days, the ATTO config tool says the Group is now degraded and specifically says Drive #8 is degraded. The LED on the enclosure for #8 doesn’t light up too. Despite, everything seems to work normal. Also, the little color icon next to the drive is green (as in, not RED, meaning it’s not dead?)”

Reinis – I’m a bit late to the party here, but We have seen issues with heat in the SANS Digital TR4 and TR8 chassis. In each case, loading the chassis with the full compliment of drives almost always resulted in the last drive in the case (closest to the power supply) to drop off. To solve this permanently, we now only load 3 or 7 drives or we run the units with the doors off and additional fans blowing into the fronts of the chassis. Keep an eye on drive 8. I suspect you’ll be revisiting this sooner or later.

We’ve reported it to SANS Digital, but nothing has been heard since before last year’s NAB. The chassis are just too inexpensive for our short term lab projects to stop using ( we have 4 4s and 3 8s).

Tim
—
Tim Jones
CTO – TOLIS Group, Inc.
https://www.productionbackup.com
BRU … because it’s the RESTORE that matters!

[Reinis Traidas]

Thanks for that note, I will keep observing my TR8 unit to see if heat becomes an issue. So far it has been running well.

[Reinis Traidas]

This indeed seems to be the case.

I sent all diangnostic logs to ATTO and their reply was that the drive may be faulty.

I have kept the chassis door open since the last time the group got degraded – and guess what – it’s still up and running fine.

So currently it appears that the TRX8 is suffering from heat related issues with the lowest drive trays – 7 and 8. Keeping the door open and/or aiding ventilation from the front of the unit seems to help/solve this issue.