smartctl through a 3ware RAID controller

Three cheers for companies with good linux technical support!  Needed to check the health and well being on my remote server’s RAID-1 hard drives.

Couldn’t remember the appropriate syntax.  One quick Google search and 3ware’s own website came through.

The command for under Linux for the 7000/8000 series is:

syntax:  smartctl –device=3ware,x -a /dev/twey, where x is the port number and y is the controller number (e.g. smartctl –device=3ware,4 -a /dev/twe0 for port 4 on controller 0)

The command for under Linux for the 9000 series is:

syntax:  smartctl –device=3ware,x -a /dev/tway, where x is the port number and y is the controller number (e.g. smartctl –device=3ware,5 -a /dev/twa0 for port 5 on controller 0)

Attached is a sample output from a smartctl dump.

Smartmontools can also be used to run diagnostics on attached disk drives.  You can run the drives short test, long test, or others.  Consult the smartmontools documentation for complete details.

e.g.  smartctl –device=3ware,4 -a /dev/twe0 -t short

would run the short test for a drive attached to port 4 of controller 0 (7000/8000 series).

e.g.  smartctl –device=3ware,2 -a /dev/twa1 -t long

would run the long test for a drive attached to port 2 of controller 1 (9000 series).