>
>
>
>
When working with HP Smart Array controllers (particularly the E200 series in ProLiant servers), drive recognition issues often occur during array migrations or recovery operations. The controller's metadata handling differs from many other RAID implementations, which can catch engineers off guard.
>
>
// Example of HP RAID metadata structure (simplified)
>
>typedef struct {
>
> uint32_t signature; // 'HPRAID'
>
> uint16_t version;
>
> uint16_t controller_id;
>
> uint64_t array_uuid;
>
> uint32_t drive_slot_map[8]; // Physical slot mappings
>
> uint32_t checksum;
>
>} HP_RAID_Metadata;
>
>>
>
>
>
The 1785 error specifically indicates slot position validation failure. HP arrays track both the data configuration and physical slot positions in their metadata. When you:
>
>
-
>
- Removed the original drives
- Created a new array
- Reinserted the old drives
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
The controller's internal mapping table was updated, breaking the original array reference.
>
>
>
>
Method 1: Controller Configuration Reset
>
>
Access the RAID BIOS (Ctrl+H during boot) and attempt:
>
>
1. Navigate to Controller Settings
>
>2. Select "Clear Configuration"
>
>3. Reboot with original drives
>
>4. The controller should rebuild its slot mapping from disk metadata
>
>
Method 2: Using HP Array Configuration Utility
>
>
For Linux systems, use the HPACUCLI tool:
>
>
# hpacucli controller all show config
>
># hpacucli controller slot=0 array all force foreign
>
># hpacucli controller slot=0 array all import
>
># hpacucli controller slot=0 logicaldrive all modify forced>
>
Method 3: Manual Metadata Reconstruction
>
>
As a last resort, you can manually edit the RAID metadata using a hex editor. This requires:
>
>
-
>
- Dumping the first 1MB of each drive (dd if=/dev/sdX of=metadata.bin bs=1M count=1)
- Comparing with known working HP RAID structures
- Patching the slot position values
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
For developers building storage solutions:
>
>
-
>
- Always dump RAID metadata before array modifications
- Consider LSI/Avago controllers for more flexible recovery options
- Implement automated slot mapping documentation
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
# Python snippet to document HP drive mappings
>
>import subprocess
>
>def document_hp_raid():
>
> output = subprocess.check_output(["hpacucli", "controller", "all", "show", "detail"])
>
> with open("/var/log/raid_mappings.log", "a") as f:
>
> f.write(output.decode())>
>
For production environments, consider implementing this as a cron job to maintain continuous slot mapping records.
>
>
When dealing with HP Smart Array controllers (particularly the E200 series), the controller maintains strict drive-to-slot mapping in its metadata. The error message 1785-Slot 0 Drive Array Not Configured indicates the controller detects a mismatch between its expected configuration and the physical drive arrangement.
Most RAID controllers store configuration data in two places:
- On the controller's non-volatile memory
- In metadata blocks on each physical drive
HP's implementation gives priority to the controller's stored configuration, which creates this recognition issue when drives are moved between slots.
Method 1: Manual Metadata Restoration
Using HP's Array Configuration Utility (ACU) CLI:
# First identify available physical drives
hpacucli ctrl all show config
# Force metadata import from drives
hpacucli ctrl slot=0 import forced
# If import fails, try recreating with original parameters
hpacucli ctrl slot=0 create type=ld drives=1I:1:1,1I:1:2 raid=1
Method 2: Low-Level Metadata Tools
For advanced users, HP provides the ssacli tool which offers more granular control:
# List all physical drives
ssacli ctrl slot=0 physicaldrive all show
# Attempt forced foreign config import
ssacli ctrl slot=0 foreign-config import forced
# View detailed drive metadata
ssacli ctrl slot=0 physicaldrive 1I:1:1 show detail
For those comfortable with direct disk access, consider these approaches:
Python Script for Metadata Extraction
import struct
with open('/dev/sdb', 'rb') as f:
# HP metadata typically starts at sector 1
f.seek(512)
metadata = f.read(256)
# Parse metadata header (HP-specific format)
signature, version, config_size = struct.unpack('<8sII', metadata[:16])
if signature == b'HPARRAY':
print(f"Found HP metadata: version {version}")
Always perform these steps before drive removal:
- Create configuration backup:
hpacucli ctrl all show config detail > raid_config.txt - Export foreign configuration:
hpacucli ctrl slot=0 foreign-config save clear
For more flexible metadata handling in future deployments:
- LSI/Broadcom MegaRAID (auto-imports foreign configs)
- Adaptec RAID (supports cross-controller migration)
- Software RAID (mdadm has excellent metadata portability)