Using the MegaRAID Advanced Software : LSI® MegaRAID® SafeStore™ Encryption Services : Importing or Clearing a Foreign Configuration

Importing or Clearing a Foreign Configuration

A foreign configuration is a RAID configuration that already exists on a replacement set of drives that you install in a computer system. You can use the MegaRAID Storage Manager software to import the foreign configuration to the RAID controller or to clear the foreign configuration so you can create a new configuration using these drives.

To import a foreign configuration, you must do the following:

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Enable security to allow importation of locked foreign configurations. (You can import unsecured or unlocked configurations when security is disabled.)

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Run a scan for foreign configurations.

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If a locked foreign configuration is present and security is enabled, enter the security key and unlock the configuration.

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Import the foreign configuration.

In addition, if one or more drives are removed from a configuration, by a cable pull or drive removal for example, the configuration on those drives is considered a foreign configuration by the RAID controller.

Verify whether any drives are left to import as the locked drives can use different security keys. If there are any drives left, repeat the import process for the remaining drives. After all the drives are imported, there is no configuration to import.

 

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NOTE When you create a new configuration, the MegaRAID Storage Manager software shows only the unconfigured drives. Drives that have existing configurations, including foreign configurations, will not appear. To use drives with existing configurations, you must first clear the configuration on those drives.

Perform the following steps to import or clear a configuration.

1.

Enable drive security to allow importation of locked foreign drives.

See Enabling Drive Security for the procedure used to enable drive security.

2.

After you create a security key, right-click the controller icon and click Scan for Foreign Configuration.

If there are locked drives (security is enabled), the Unlock foreign drives dialog appears.

3.

Enter the security key to unlock the configuration.

The Foreign Configuration Detected dialog appears, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 146 Foreign Configuration Detected

 

 

 

4.

Click Import to import the foreign configuration from all of the foreign drives, Clear to remove the configuration from all foreign drives, or Advanced to preview and import specific foreign configurations.

5.

Click OK.

 

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NOTE The operation cannot be reversed after it is started. Imported drives display as Online in the MegaRAID Storage Manager menu.

6.

Repeat the import process for any remaining drives.

Because locked drive can use different security key, you must verify whether there are any remaining drives to imported.

 

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NOTE When you create a new configuration, the MegaRAID Storage Manager software shows only the unconfigured drives. Drives that have existing configurations, including foreign configurations, will not appear. To use drives with existing configurations, you must first clear the configuration on those drives.