I have a backup domain controller running windows 2000 server.  The OS
is on mirrored HDDs and the data is located on a RAID 5 array
consisting of 3 SCSI drives.  Recently the RAID array crashed.  The
server is still functional but I would like to know how to recover
from this failure and is AD at risk of damage because of it.  Can I
simply replace the array and restore the data from backup?

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Request for Question Clarification by nenna-ga on 20 Sep 2004 18:36 PDT

Hi tiewire-ga,

Could I get some more information on your problem please? There are
several things I need to know in order to point you towards the best
way to repair your problem. 

First of all, you say you have two RAIDs, the RAID crashed, and the
server is still operational. From that I would gather that you either
lost one drive in one raid, or you lost one raid completely. If it's
the former, it's an easy fix.

Second, what data is on the RAID 5 array? In a domain controller the
domain's data is usually on the operating system's volume. There is no
need to
restore domain data from a backup, as the data will replicate from the
other domain controllers in your domain. 

Third, what model raid controller is your server using? One way to
find out if you don't know is to look at the messages when you turn it
on, right before it detects the drives in your array and asks you if
you'd like to configure it, it
will show the model and usually the BIOS revision of your controller.

If you're unable to determine that, there's a slim chance I can deduce
it if I know the model of your name brand server. That will help me in
pointing you towards documentation to rebuild your array with a new
drive. I would appreciate as much data as you can provide me on your
configuration.

Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher