Importing Foreign Configuration After Replacing RAID Controller (WebBIOS / Command Line)
After replacing a MegaRAID / ServeRAID controller that supports WebBIOS, the original array metadata on the disks may be recognized as Foreign Configuration. To restore the original array, preview first, then import. The following uses WebBIOS diagrams from the IBM official website's MegaRAID SAS Software User's Guide.
Confirm before importing
Verify the original array member disks, slots, and RAID level; official requirements mandate reconnecting all required member disks before importing. This article applies to corresponding controllers with WebBIOS and does not imply that migration is possible between any controller or different RAID implementations.
WebBIOS Operation
- Enter WebBIOS according to the controller boot prompt. After detecting an external configuration, select the configuration to inspect first.
- Click Preview to verify member disks, virtual disk capacity, and RAID level.
- After confirming the preview matches the original array, click Import, then check the status of virtual disks and physical disks.
- If a redundant array begins rebuilding, wait for completion and perform consistency checks per the manual; exit after confirming normal operation.
Difference between Import and Clear
Import Used to take over an existing array; Clear Used to discard external configurations for other purposes. When restoring original data, do not select Clear, New Configuration, or initialize. If preview shows missing disks, capacity mismatch, or import failure, save the state first and verify the cause.
Command-line solution see StorCLI Import RAID Configuration.