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6.3.5. Removing a RAID Device

To remove an existing RAID device, first deactivate it by running the following command as root: 
mdadm --stop raid_device
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Once deactivated, remove the RAID device itself: 
mdadm --remove raid_device
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Finally, zero superblocks on all devices that were associated with the particular array: 
mdadm --zero-superblock component_device…
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Example 6.5. Removing a RAID device

Assume the system has an active RAID device, /dev/md3, with the following layout (that is, the RAID device created in Example 6.4, “Extending a RAID device”): 
~]# mdadm --detail /dev/md3 | tail -n 4
    Number   Major   Minor   RaidDevice State
       0       8        1        0      active sync   /dev/sda1
       1       8       17        1      active sync   /dev/sdb1
       2       8       33        2      active sync   /dev/sdc1
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In order to remove this device, first stop it by typing the following at a shell prompt: 
~]# mdadm --stop /dev/md3
mdadm: stopped /dev/md3
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Once stopped, you can remove the /dev/md3 device by running the following command: 
~]# mdadm --remove /dev/md3
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Finally, to remove the superblocks from all associated devices, type: 
~]# mdadm --zero-superblock /dev/sda1 /dev/sdb1 /dev/sdc1
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