HP raid 5 array configuration utility update and raid 5 rebuild

Had to change a hard disk in a proliant server with a new Ultra320 SCSI drive. The server has six harddisk and a one array with three drives in that array. The change of the hard drive was a simple task but the ordering was a pain in the ass. The whole server is a old HP server from 2003 I think and it was really hard to find the right hard drive. None of the retailers could order the hard drive and I had to order it straight from importer. It was strange that HP didn't have those drives to order. Maybe I had previously ordered it under warranty cause I never bought those hard drives from a retailer before.

After the change the hard drive begin to rebuild the array and all the drives are now flashing red when the rebuild is on the way on those RAID 5 arrays. The array configuration utility software didn't work at the server but the array controller still managed to start the rebuild. Had to go to HP web site where I downloaded the new version of array configuration utility. It was a simple download and install on the server. Didn't have to reboot or anything during install. The SCSI drive was a hot swap drive too and that hard drive change didn't need a shutdown either. The server computer was on and running the whole time when I unplucked the old harddrive and inserted the new hot swap drive inplace. Now I have to wait many hours for the array to rebuild itself and make sure the other hard drives are working ok after that.

It was a relief that I noticed that hard drive failure before the array crashed. It would have been a really hard to repair raid 5 array if two drives had failed. I think you need a specialist or custom software to rebuild a raid 5 array after they have broken. Not sure if the repair of the raid array is even possible when two drives broke simultaniously. Now I have to make sure I get a email alert send when those raid hard drive fails again.