Replace a Failed Drive

If one of the disk drives in the D-Link DNS-323 Network Data drive unit fails, an amber light will show for that drive bay, and it must be replaced immediately.

The unit is supposed to email any failures to the administrator (currently glenlan@gmail.com) but there is a problem with version 1.06 of the firmware that is preventing this from happening. So, until the firmware is corrected it is necessary to physically check the drive from time to time to see if a drive has failed, which is indicated by an amber light on the left or right of the front face.

Since the Network drive is configured so that the two disk drives mirror each other (RAID-1), the failure of one drive means that all the data is still available on the other drive, and the unit will continue to operate. However the failed drive must be replaced as soon as possible, and the data must be backed up immediately.

• 1. Note which drive has failed - it's the one with the amber drive light showing.

  2. Purchase a new disk drive that matches the remaining good drive in the device, prefereably the same make and model specifications as the failed drive. (NCIX is a good place to try).

  3. Backup all the files on the Network drive to the external disk drives.

  4. Press and hold the center Power button on the front face until it blinks.

  5. Wait for the device to shut down.

  6. Slide the front face upwards to expose the two disk drives.

  7. User the lever at the back to remove the failed drive.

  8. Insert the new disk drive, and replace the front face.

  9. Press the center Power button to turn on the unit, and wait for it to start up. Both drives should have blue lights showing.

  10. The unit will automatically format the drive, and begin to re-mirror it from the good drive (RAID-1). You can continue using the drive while this happens.