Erasing a Volume

The volume erase function operates on a specified volume and overwrites all user-accessible locations. It supports nonzero patterns and multiple passes. The volume erase function optionally deletes the volume and erases the data within the volume’s LBA range. The volume erase function is a background operation, and it posts events to notify users of their progress.

Note: Use disk management tools within the operating system to first unmount the volume before performing an erase.

Perform these steps to erase a volume.

  1. Navigate to the Controller Dashboard, click a array name (for example, Array).
    Click the   icon corresponding to a array to display its contents.
    The volumes and drives associated with the selected array appear.
  2. Click the volume whose content you want to erase.
  3. Select Actions > Erase.
    The Volume Erase dialog appears.
    The dialog shows these modes:
    • Simple
    • Normal
    • Thorough
  4. Select a mode and click Erase Volume.
    A warning message appears asking for your confirmation.
  5. Click Yes, Erase Drive.
    After the volume erase operation has started, the Stop Erase option is enabled in the Actions menu. You can monitor the progress of the erase operation. See Background Operations Support.
  6. Select the Delete Volume After Erase check box to delete the volume after the erase operation has completed.