RN212 volume degraded after reboot after replacing disk

Question

Set-up: Raid1 (X-RAID), 2 x WD Nas Red 2TB disks

On 20 August the volume status changed to degraded. Only 1 disk visible anymore.

Due to circumstances the disk was only replaced on 12 October. After booting with the new disk, the synchronisation process started and finished about 8 hours later.

Today, the NAS installed the latest firmware (6.10.3), but after a reboot the new disk isn't visible anymore! Performed another reboot, same issue. Chances are slim that this new disk dead already.

What log can be checked to see if the issue is with the enclosure instead of the disk? Anything that can be done remotely about this? Or should a replacement enclosure be requested? Device still under warranty.

StephenB · Answer

BBSUP&nbsp;wrote:

What disk model did you purchase?&nbsp; The WD20EFAX is SMR, and I don't recommend it for ReadyNAS.&nbsp; If you got that, I suggest exchanging it for a WD20EFRX.

The original disk was WD20EFRX, the replacement is indeed WD20EFAX. Our vendor doesn't offer&nbsp;WD20EFRX anymore, so to get CMR, we'd need&nbsp;WD2002FFSX then (WD Red Pro). But performance isn't really an issue on that particular device, it just stores an acronis backup which is then uploaded to the Cloud.
&nbsp;

Personally, I won't use SMR in a RAID array, and don't know what WD was thinking when they silently switched to SMR drives a while back.&nbsp;&nbsp;Write speeds are highly variable, and can slow down to a crawl.&nbsp; This potentially can lead to timeouts (which could cause a drive to drop out of the array).
&nbsp;
WD changed their lineup (in response to customer backlash), and put only SMR disks into the WD Red line.&nbsp; CMR disks are now in the WD Red Plus lineup (and of course the WD Red Pro).&nbsp; The WD20EFRX is still current, and is in the Red Plus line.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
You might want to push back on your supplier - WD no longer positions the WD20EFAX as a replacement for the EFRX.&nbsp; I get that performance isn't a primary concern but several folks here have had issues with the 2-6 TB EFAX drives.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;An alternative to the Red Pro is the 2 TB Seagate Ironwolf - you can mix that with the existing Red.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

BBSUP · Answer

I just performed a quick test with&nbsp;Data Lifeguard Diagnostics on the "faulty" disk, it passed.Extended test is running now, but I wouldn't be surprised if that passes as well, which would make it verly likely that there's an issue with the enclosure itself.

StephenB · Answer

BBSUP&nbsp;wrote:
Chances are slim that this new disk dead already.
&nbsp;

Disks can fail at any time.&nbsp; Historically disk reliability has followed a "bathtub curve", with new disks and very old disks being the most likely to fail.&nbsp; Generally I test my disks before installing them in a Windows PC with vendor tools - running the full non-destructive test, followed by the full write test.&nbsp; I have sometimes had new disks fail those tests.&nbsp; If the disk passes, you might try the write test (since the disk needs to be resynced anyway if it is good).
&nbsp;
What disk model did you purchase?&nbsp; The WD20EFAX is SMR, and I don't recommend it for ReadyNAS.&nbsp; If you got that, I suggest exchanging it for a WD20EFRX.
&nbsp;
BBSUP&nbsp;wrote:
&nbsp;
What log can be checked to see if the issue is with the enclosure instead of the disk? Anything that can be done remotely about this? Or should a replacement enclosure be requested? Device still under warranty.
&nbsp;

You can download the log zip file.&nbsp; Disk-info.log might give you some info, though generally "dead" disks aren't listed there.&nbsp; You can also look for i/o errors in system.log and kernel.log.
&nbsp;
It's possible you'll see some errors that point to the disk itself - it is unlikely that you'll see anything that points to the enclosure.&nbsp; A failing SATA interface in the chassis can't be distinguished from a failing SATA interface in the disk itself.
&nbsp;
What you could do is power down the NAS, and remove the new disk (best the label it).&nbsp; Then move the older disk into the other bay, and see if the system boots.&nbsp; If it does, it's not the enclosure.

BBSUP · Answer

What disk model did you purchase?&nbsp; The WD20EFAX is SMR, and I don't recommend it for ReadyNAS.&nbsp; If you got that, I suggest exchanging it for a WD20EFRX.The original disk was WD20EFRX, the replacement is indeed WD20EFAX. Our vendor doesn't offer&nbsp;WD20EFRX anymore, so to get CMR, we'd need&nbsp;WD2002FFSX then (WD Red Pro). But performance isn't really an issue on that particular device, it just stores an acronis backup which is then uploaded to the Cloud.&nbsp;&nbsp;What you could do is power down the NAS, and remove the new disk (best the label it).&nbsp; Then move the older disk into the other bay, and see if the system boots.&nbsp; If it does, it's not the enclosure.In worst case, yes. The NAS isn't located here and due to Covid-19 onsite visits are limited.

BBSUP · Answer

Personally, I won't use SMR in a RAID array, and don't know what WD was thinking when they silently switched to SMR drives a while back.&nbsp;&nbsp;Write speeds are highly variable, and can slow down to a crawl.&nbsp; This potentially can lead to timeouts (which could cause a drive to drop out of the array).&nbsp;I wasn't aware of these implications. Thanks for this additional information&nbsp;:smileyhappy:

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RN212 volume degraded after reboot after replacing disk

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