Why we are getting disk errors or failures when using SED drives?

Problem/Symptom

Why we are getting disk errors or failures when using SED drives?

Having multiple reports of disk read errors from event logs or having multiple disks failure when SED is enabled and SED pool /voume was created.

Cause

SED access is controlled by AK(Authentication Key) and a SED will have multiple band for storing AK,when SED function has been enabled and used or tested on a different chassis,
SED will store different AK from every chassis that enabled SED with the SED drive,
this could be done by SED HDD supplier from standard manufacturing testing process,
without erasing recorded AK will cause some logical address being locked which could eventually cause read errors and disks failures.

Resolution

The proper way of using a SED for the first time will be doing a SED erase with PSID, that will remove any previous record of AK.

The PSID is unique ID which can be found on the label of any SED or ISD drive,
PSID is only available on the drive label and will not be able to retrived electronically from the SED,losing the lable with PSID means losing PSID permanently.
(For more information on PSID please consult with SED/ISE drive supplier)

It is recommend to delete current volume, pool and erase every SED with PSID,
once every SEDs is erased with PSID, please perform disk scrub for every disks before recreating pool and volume.
 

Apply to

All QSAN Products