hot-swappable drives from a running VMware ESXi host?

[crescendas]

In theory, it is completely safe to remove a failed harddisk from a RAID 5 array that support hot plug. But is this supported in ESXi 4.1? Do I need the enterprise license to have this supported?

I just need the assurance that it is safe to swap a failed drive from a RAID 5 array on a physical server that supported hot plug when it is still running ESXi 4.1 without having to shut it down.

Thanks!

[arturka · Accepted solution]

In theory, it is completely safe to remove a failed harddisk from a RAID 5 array that support hot plug. But is this supported in ESXi 4.1? Do I need the enterprise license to have this supported?

Hi

Yes, it's safe to remove if your controller supports hot-plug, your ESXi has nothing to support because your RAID controller is repsonsible to rebuild your RAID of failed disk not ESXi.

Cheers
Artur

Please, don't forget the awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

[crescendas]

Thanks for the assurance. FYI, previously we have a Dell R300 which also support hot plug but ESXi freeze up once we swap the harddisk. We will test this out without shutting down our Dell R710. Hopefully it works as advertised!

[arturka]

Hi

is a standalone server or is a part of a cluster ? If it's a part of a cluster that just simply migrate out all VM, put into maintenance mode and you would be safe 🙂

I did replace fauly hard drive on R710 ( it was RAID1 only for ESXi OS) was working without problems

Cheers
Artur

Please, don't forget the awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

[crescendas]

The Dell Technician has replaced the harddisk without shutting down the ESXi host and everything run smoothly. Thanks! I have awarded your reply as answer.