# Understanding copy back mode

Note: Copy back is supported on the ServeRAID-6M and ServeRAID-6i controllers only.

Copy back is a method of restoring a logical drive's original configuration after you replace a failed drive in an array. It allows you to restore the data to its prior location, before the logical drive was rebuilt from its spare.

## An example

A RAID Level-5 logical drive consists of three physical drives and a spare. When a drive in the array fails, the spare drive is used to rebuild the logical drive. When you replace the failed drive, copy back moves the data from the former spare to the newly replaced drive. Then, the former spare resumes its original role as the spare drive.

Copy back is enabled by default; it starts automatically when the ServeRAID controller detects that a failed drive is replaced. The ServeRAID Manager shows a progress indicator in the status bar when copy back is in progress. To disable copy back, choose Disable copy back mode from the controller object Action menu.

You cannot perform any other actions on the controller until copy back is completed.

Note: Copy back is disabled by default when you upgrade the ServeRAID software from a previous release.

## More information

- Enabling and disabling copy back mode (action)

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