If my server goes down, how can i access the data on the SAS drives?
I don't have another server to plug them into, and even then connecting the drive to a different controller (while keeping the data) is not a certain thing.
Yes, we have a full backup solution with snapshots, offsite replicas etc., still the backup could be up to 15 minutes behind and in some cases i would need the backup server (which could be down) running to access the data from the backup sets anyway.
Being able to restore from the production drives, or at least access the data on them for recently changed files etc. would be a major advantage, if i could only get to the data.
Other then buying a raid controller and plugging it into a workstation (in which case i still may not be able to connect the drive while leaving the data intact as this is a raid controller, not a simple HBA), what are my options?
Does something like a simple (non raid) PCIe HBA card that just lets you plug in an SAS drive exist? or better yet some sort of external enclosure? I can't find either on google.
Thanks
Best Answer
In most cases you can just get an identical or similar RAID card, plug in the drives and access the data. This will just work, and this is something you can test. And if you are concerned about 15 minute delays then make sure you have such a card as a spare.
Yes, ofcourse that exist. They are often the same pysical cards as SAS RAID cards, but with a different firmware.
Did you consider keeping a copy of all the data on the network. Sort of a RAID 1 (mirror) where one part of the RAID is a local drive(s) and one part is on the network?