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Format and Initialize; Slow and
Fast Initialize

Dell OpenManage™ Server Administrator Storage Management User's Guide

  Considerations for Format

  Considerations for Initialize

  Considerations for Fast Initialize

  Considerations for Slow Initialize

  Formatting or Initializing a Disk

Does my controller support this feature? See "Appendix: Supported Features."

The Format or Initialize task erases the files and removes the file systems on virtual disks while keeping the virtual disk configuration intact. Formatting or initializing a virtual disk destroys all data on the virtual disk. If the boot partition resides on the virtual disk, it will be destroyed by the format operation.

Some controllers have BIOS settings for a fast initialize or a slow initialize. In this case, the Initialize task performs the type of initialization (fast or slow) that is specified in the BIOS.

Other controllers have a Fast Initialize and Slow Initialize task available on the controller task drop-down menu. See "Considerations for Fast Initialize" and "Considerations for Slow Initialize" for more information.

NOTE: On a Linux system, you cannot format a virtual disk that contains a mounted volume.

Considerations for Format

The format task applies to the PERC 3/Si, 3/Di, and CERC SATA1.5/6ch controllers. After the format is initiated, it cannot be cancelled.

Considerations for Initialize

The initialize task applies to the PERC 3/SC, 3/DCL, 3/DC, 3/QC, 4/SC, 4/DC, 4e/DC, 4/Di, 4e/Si, 4e/Di, and CERC ATA100/4ch controllers.

These controllers also have a Cancel Initialize and Background Initialization feature. For more information, see "Format, Initialize, Slow and Fast Initialize" and "Background Initialization on PERC 3/SC, 3/DCL, 3/DC, 3/QC, 4/SC, 4/DC, 4e/DC, 4/Di, 4e/Si, and 4e/Di Controllers".

NOTE: A fast initialization on the PERC 3/SC, 3/DCL, 3/DC, 3/QC, 4/SC, 4/DC, 4e/DC, 4/Di, 4e/Si, 4e/Di, and CERC ATA100/4ch controllers may occur so quickly that the virtual disk's State does not display Initializing. Use the controller BIOS to change the initialization settings.

Considerations for Fast Initialize

Use the Fast Initialize task to initialize all physical disks included in the virtual disk. The Fast Initialize task updates the metadata on the physical disks so that all disk space is available for future write operations. The initialize can be completed quickly because existing information on the physical disks is not erased, although future write operations will overwrite any information that remains on the physical disks.

NOTE: Doing a Fast Initialize causes existing data to be inaccessible. This task should be considered data destructive.

In comparison with the Slow Initialize task, the Fast Initialize task has the following advantages:

If you have had trouble with a physical disk or suspect that it has bad disk blocks, you may want to perform a Slow Initialize task, as this task remaps bad blocks and writes zeroes to all disk blocks.

Considerations for Slow Initialize

Use the Slow Initialize task to initialize all physical disks included in the virtual disk. The Slow Initialize task updates the metadata on the physical disks and erases all existing data and file systems.

In comparison with the Fast Initialize task, you may want to use the Slow Initialize task if you have had trouble with a physical disk or suspect that it has bad disk blocks. The Slow Initialize task remaps bad blocks and writes zeroes to all disk blocks.

The Slow Initialize task initializes one physical disk at a time. Each physical disk displays the Clear state while being initialized. During the time that the physical disk is in the Clear state, the Cancel Clear physical disk task is available. Performing a Cancel Clear task on the physical disk causes the Slow Initialize task to be cancelled for the entire virtual disk and all member physical disks. See "Clear Physical Disk and Cancel Clear" for more information.

Formatting or Initializing a Disk

To format or initialize a disk:

  1. Review the virtual disk that will be destroyed by the Format or Initialize and make sure that vital data will not be lost. Click Blink at the bottom of the screen to blink the physical disks included in the virtual disk.

  2. Depending on the task you are initiating, click the following button when ready:

To exit without formatting or initializing the virtual disk, click Go Back To Virtual Disk Page.

To locate this task in Storage Management:

  1. Expand the Storage tree object to display the controller objects.

  2. Expand a controller object.

  3. Select the Virtual Disks object.

  4. Depending on the task you want to initiate, select one of the following from the Available Tasks drop-down menu.

  5. Click Execute.


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