| A SCSI hot swap hard drive will be used in server | | | | used to pull the disk in and out and also act as a |
| hardware as part of a disk array. They can also be | | | | locking mechanism. |
| used in Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. | | | | 3. Easy Does It |
| The design of the hard disk allows for easy removal | | | | Although modern day hard disks are tough, they are |
| and replacement of any faulty unit. Although hard | | | | not immune to the odd bump, bang or static shock. |
| disk manufacturing and technology has come a very | | | | Make sure that you follow any health and safety |
| long way since the 1990's, they are not infallible and | | | | guidelines when working with these drives. Also |
| do suffer from failure. Due to this fact, having a | | | | ensure that you carry out the drive replacement with |
| good RAID strategy and backup and disaster | | | | care. We don't want to damage the SCSI backplane |
| recovery plan is essential if you wish to keep your | | | | now do we? |
| systems up and running 100% of the time. | | | | 4. Slide Out Slide In |
| 1. Disk Size And Type | | | | To remove the disk, un-clip the levers or handles that |
| SCSI hard disks come in various different sizes | | | | are keeping it secure and slide the disk out. You may |
| (measured in gigabytes) and also from a varying | | | | now need to remove the casing of the tray or |
| number of manufacturers. The first point I would like | | | | caddy and replace the hard disk. The interface on |
| to make is that it is better to replace SCSI hard disks | | | | these trays can be delicate, so take care. Once the |
| with like for like models. Although some hard disks | | | | new or replacement disk is in place, slide it gently |
| may appear to be the same size, they often get | | | | back into the server bay. Once you have made |
| identified or reported as smaller or larger, depending | | | | contact with the backplane, use the levers to secure |
| on the manufacturer. So go with the same disk | | | | the drive into place. |
| model if you can. | | | | 5. Let The RAID Magic Happen |
| 2. Trays And Caddys | | | | All being well, the RAID array will detect the new |
| Each SCSI hot swap drive sits inside a tray or caddy | | | | disk, initialise it and begin to rebuild the data on to it. |
| that allows for easy removal and insertion. The tray | | | | You may see a steady flashing light on the drive |
| holds the disk securely, usually by the use of screws | | | | whilst this takes place, or you could observe what is |
| and slots into a bay in the server or rack. The tray | | | | happening from a software RAID or hardware |
| usually has some form of levers of handles that are | | | | console. |