RAID Configuration Using Areca CLI
Some of our Root Servers use Areca RAID controllers. This article covers how to manage RAID arrays using the Areca CLI tool. For the full command reference, refer to the Areca CLI manual.
Before making any changes to a RAID or disk configuration, make sure you have a current backup to prevent data loss.
Key Concepts
Areca uses a two-step approach to create RAID arrays:
- RAID set: A group of physical disks. Created first.
- Volume set: A logical volume on top of a RAID set, where you define the RAID level, capacity, and other properties.
This means you always create a RAID set first, then create a volume set with your desired RAID level on that RAID set.
Installation
Download the latest CLI package from the Areca support page, unzip it, and install the binary:
wget https://www.areca.us/support/s_linux/driver/cli/linuxcli_V1.16.2_241023.zip
unzip linuxcli_V1.16.2_241023.zip
mv cli64 /usr/local/sbin/arecacli
chmod 0755 /usr/local/sbin/arecacli
Areca CLI
The Areca CLI (arecacli) is a command-line tool for managing Areca RAID controllers. It must be run as root.
Interactive and Non-Interactive Mode
You can use the CLI interactively or run single commands directly:
arecacli
CLI> set curctrl=1 password=0000
CLI> disk info
CLI> exit
arecacli ctrl=1 disk info drv=1
All examples below use the non-interactive mode. The ctrl=1 parameter selects the first RAID controller, which is typically the only one in the server.
Controller and Disk Information
Show controller and system information:
arecacli ctrl=1 sys info
List all physical disks:
arecacli ctrl=1 disk info
Show details for a specific disk:
arecacli ctrl=1 disk info drv=1
Show all RAID sets and their status:
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf info
Show all volume sets:
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf info
Creating RAIDs
Step 1: Create a RAID Set
Group the physical disks into a RAID set:
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf create drv=1~4 name=raidset1
The drv parameter supports ranges (1~4) and comma-separated lists (1~3,5,7).
Step 2: Create a Volume Set
Create a volume set on the RAID set with your desired RAID level:
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf create raid=1 level=1 cache=Y tag=Y
The raid parameter refers to the RAID set number from step 1. The level parameter sets the RAID level.
Common RAID Level Examples
RAID 1 (mirroring, our standard configuration — requires 2 disks):
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf create drv=1~2 name=mirror
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf create raid=1 level=1 cache=Y tag=Y
RAID 0 (striping, no redundancy — minimum 1 disk, typically 2+):
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf create drv=1~2 name=stripe
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf create raid=1 level=0 cache=Y tag=Y
RAID 5 (striping with single parity — minimum 3 disks):
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf create drv=1~4 name=raid5set
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf create raid=1 level=5 cache=Y tag=Y stripe=64
RAID 6 (striping with double parity — minimum 4 disks):
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf create drv=1~6 name=raid6set
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf create raid=1 level=6 cache=Y tag=Y stripe=64
RAID 10 (mirrored stripes — minimum 4 disks, even number):
RAID 10 is created by making a RAID set from all disks and creating a volume set with level=1. The controller handles the striping internally when more than 2 disks are in the RAID set.
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf create drv=1~4 name=raid10set
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf create raid=1 level=1 cache=Y tag=Y
Volume Set Options
| Option | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|
raid | RAID set number | Target RAID set |
level | 0, 1, 3, 5, 6 | RAID level |
capacity | Size (e.g. 500) | Capacity in GB (default: maximum) |
name | Up to 15 characters | Volume name |
stripe | 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024 | Stripe size in KB |
cache | Y, N | Write-back cache (Y) or write-through (N) |
tag | Y, N | Command tag queuing |
fginit | Y, N | Foreground init (Y=must complete first, N=background) |
Hot Spares
Assign a disk as a global hot spare:
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf createhs drv=5
The hot spare automatically replaces a failed disk during a rebuild. The spare must be equal to or larger than the smallest disk in the RAID set.
Remove a hot spare:
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf deletehs drv=5
Monitoring and Maintenance
Check Rebuild Status
Rebuild progress is visible in the RAID set and volume set info:
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf info
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf info
Set Rebuild Priority
arecacli ctrl=1 sys rebuildpt p=2
| Value | Priority |
|---|---|
| 0 | Ultra Low |
| 1 | Low |
| 2 | Medium |
| 3 | High |
Check Volume Set Configuration
Show the configuration of a volume set, including cache mode, RAID level, capacity, and stripe size:
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf info vol=1
Verify Volume Integrity
Run a parity check on a volume set:
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf check vol=1
Stop a running check:
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf stopcheck
Schedule Periodic Checks
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf scheck scheduler=2 idle=4
This schedules a weekly check that starts when the system has been idle for 10 minutes. See the Areca CLI manual for all scheduler options.
SMART Data
View SMART information for a disk:
arecacli ctrl=1 disk smart drv=1
Run a SMART self-test:
arecacli ctrl=1 disk sttest drv=1 mode=short
Hardware Monitor
Check temperatures and fan speeds:
arecacli ctrl=1 hw info
Troubleshooting
Identify a Physical Disk
Blink the fault LED on a disk to locate it in the chassis:
arecacli ctrl=1 disk identify drv=3
Replace a Failed Disk
-
Identify which disk has failed:
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf infoarecacli ctrl=1 disk info -
Locate the failed disk in the chassis:
arecacli ctrl=1 disk identify drv=3 -
Replace the disk physically. The rebuild starts automatically if a hot spare is available, or when the replacement disk is inserted.
-
Monitor the rebuild progress:
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf infoarecacli ctrl=1 vsf info
Activate a Degraded RAID Set
If disks were removed while the server was powered off, the RAID set enters an "Incomplete" state. Activate it to "Degraded" mode so it can be used and rebuilt:
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf activate raid=1
To automatically activate incomplete RAID sets on boot:
arecacli ctrl=1 sys autoact p=1
Mute the Alert Beeper
arecacli ctrl=1 sys beeper p=0
Delete a RAID Configuration
Delete a volume set first, then the RAID set:
arecacli ctrl=1 vsf delete vol=1
arecacli ctrl=1 rsf delete raid=1
Deleting a volume set destroys all data on that volume.