Among its many features, the Infoblox-4010 use a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) 10 array to provide the optimum mix of high database performance and redundant data storage with recovery features in the event of disk failures. The disk array is completely self managed. There are no maintenance or special procedures required to service the disk subsystem.

Caution: Never remove more than one disk at a time from the array. Removing two or more disks at once can cause an array failure and result in an unrecoverable condition. You should replace only one disk at a time, using a replacement disk from Infoblox. For information, see Replacing a Failed Disk Drive below.

About RAID 10

RAID 10 (or sometimes called RAID 1+0) uses a minimum of four disk drives to create a RAID 0 array from two RAID 1 arrays, as illustrated in RAID 10 Array Configuration below . It uses mirroring and striping to form a stripe of mirrored subsets. This means that the array combines—or stripes—multiple disk drives, creating a single logical volume (RAID 0). RAID 10 combines the high performance of RAID 0 and the high fault tolerance of RAID 1. Striping disk drives improves database write performance over a single disk drive for large databases. The disks are also mirrored (RAID 1), so that each disk in the logical volume is fully redundant.
RAID 10 Array Configuration

When evaluating a fault on the Infoblox-4010, it is best to think of the disk subsystem as a single, integrated unit with four components, rather than four independent disk drives. For information, see Evaluating the Status of the Disk Subsystem below.

Evaluating the Status of the Disk Subsystem

You can monitor the disk subsystem through the Infoblox Grid Manager GUI, the scrolling front panel LCD display, and four front panel LEDs next to the disk drives. In addition, you can monitor the disk status by using the CLI command show hardware_status. The following example displays the status of an Infoblox-4010 using the command:
Infoblox > show hardware_status
POWER:Power OK
Fan1:7258 RPM
Fan2:6887 RPM
Fan3:7258 RPM
CPU1_TEMP: +20.0 C
CPU2_TEMP: +24.0 C
SYS_TEMP: +35 C

RAID_ARRAY: OPTIMAL
RAID_BATTERY: OK READY Yes 103 HOURS
The Detailed Status panel provides a detailed status report on the appliance and service operations. To see a detailed status report:

• From the Grid tab, select the Grid Manager tab -> Members tab -> Grid_member checkbox -> Detailed Status icon in the table toolbar.

After displaying the Detailed Status panel, you can view the status of the selected Grid member. For more information on the Detailed Status panel, see Status Dashboard.
The RAID icons indicate the status of the RAID array on the Infoblox-4010.

Icon	Color	Meaning
Open	Green	The RAID array is in an optimal state.
Open	Yellow	A new disk was inserted and the RAID array is rebuilding.
	Red	The RAID array is degraded. At least one disk is not functioning properly. The GUI lists the disks that are online. Replace only the disks that are offline.

The appliance also displays the type of each disk. In the event of a disk failure, you must replace the failed disk with one that is qualified and shipped from Infoblox and has the same disk type as the rest of the disks in the array.
Infoblox-4010 uses only the IB-Type 3 disk type. All disk drives in the array must have the same disk type for the array to function properly. You can have either IB-Type 1, IB-Type 2, or IB-Type-3, but you cannot mix both in the array. When you have a mismatched disk in the array, you must promptly replace the disk with a replacement disk from Infoblox to avoid operational issues.

Disk Drive Front Panel LEDs

The disk drives of the Infoblox-4010 are located on the appliance front panel. To the right of each drive, two LEDs display connection and activity status. The below table lists the disk drive LED combinations and the states they represent.
Infoblox-4010 Disk Drive LED Combinations

Replacing a Failed Disk Drive

The Infoblox-4010 is designed to provide continuous operation in the event of a failed disk. Replace an original RAID disk only when there is a disk failure. Hot-swapping a disk drive is a simple process that does not require issuing commands or a GUI operation.
When you replace a failed disk, you must replace it with an Infoblox supplied disk. To ensure that you receive the correct replacement disk, report the disk type or part number of the failed disk. The appliance displays the disk type in the Detailed Status panel, and the Infoblox part number is printed on the disk. Installing disks that are not qualified and shipped from Infoblox could cause failures in the appliance.
To replace a disk drive, follow this procedure:

1. Identify and verify the failed drive via the Grid Manager, front panel LCD, or CLI.

2. Make sure you have identified the correct drive.

   Note: Do not remove a correctly functioning drive.

3. Push in the latch for the drive and pull the release lever out towards you.

4. When the drive disengages, wait about 30 seconds for the disk to completely stop spinning.

5. Slide it out of the slot.

Replacement drives are shipped as a complete unit, ready to insert into the appliance. There is no preparation required. To install a replacement drive, follow this procedure:

1. Insert the replacement drive into the drive bay slot.

2. Gently slide the drive into place. When you feel the release lever engage, continue applying gentle pressure to the drive while pushing the release lever towards the appliance.

3. The release lever locks into place and the LED next to the disk drive lights up. Note that if the alarm buzzer is sounding, it automatically turns off about 20 seconds after the drive is inserted.

4. The disk drive automatically goes into rebuild mode.

Disk Array Guidelines

Infoblox has designed the disk array to be completely self managed. There are no maintenance procedures required for a normally functioning disk array. Mishandling the disk array can cause an unrecoverable error and result in a failed appliance. Infoblox highly recommends that you observe the following guidelines:

• Remove only one disk at a time. Do not remove two or more disks from the appliance at the same time. Removing two or more disks at the same time might result in an appliance failure and require an RMA of the appliance. This rule applies to both powered and powered down appliances.

• If the status of the array is degraded, remove the failed or failing disk drive only. Do not remove an optimally functioning drive.

• If your acceptance procedure requires a test of the RAID hot swap feature, remove only one disk drive at a time. You can remove a second disk only after you replace the first disk and the array completes its rebuilding process.

• Do not remove a disk drive if the array is rebuilding. This could result in an appliance failure. Verify the status of the array before removing a disk drive.

• Use the following procedure to remove a spinning disk:

  1. Unlatch and pull the disk about two cm (one inch) to disengage contact.

  2. Wait about 30 seconds for the disk to completely stop spinning.

  3. Remove the disk and handle it with care. Do not drop the disk or ship it loosely in a carton.

• You can hot swap a drive while the appliance remains in production.

• There are some conditions that may require powering down the appliance to replace a failed unit. This normally happens if the RAID controller detects an error that could damage the array. If you insert a replacement drive into a live array and the controller doesn't recognize the drive, power down the appliance.

• If you inadvertently remove the wrong disk drive, do not immediately remove the disk drive that you originally intended to remove. Verify the status of the array and replace the disk drive that you removed earlier before removing another drive. Removing a second drive could render the appliance inoperable.

• Older appliances have an audio alarm buzzer that sounds if a drive fails. The alarm automatically stops about 20 seconds after a functional disk has been inserted into the array.

• All disks in the RAID array should have the same disk type for the array to function properly.

• In the unlikely event that two disk drives fail simultaneously and the appliance is still operational, remove and replace the failed disk drives one at a time.

• Rebuild time depends on a number of factors, such as the system load and Grid replication activities. On very busy appliances (over 90% utilization), the disk rebuild process can take as long as 40 hours. On a Grid Master serving a very large Grid, expect the rebuild process to take at least 24 hours.

• Replace a failed or mismatched disk only with a replacement disk shipped from Infoblox. When you request a replacement disk, report the disk type displayed in the Detailed Status panel of the GUI or the Infoblox part number on the disk.