If a server's RAID is reporting a predictive failure warning for one of its drives, what is an important first step in data protection?

When a server's RAID reports a predictive failure warning for one of its drives, backing up the data to an external source is a crucial first step in data protection because it ensures that there is a copy of the data preserved before any potential drive failure occurs. Predictive failure notifications indicate that the drive is likely to fail soon, making it imperative to safeguard the data against loss. This proactive approach is vital, as it minimizes the risk of data loss that could happen if the drive fails before it is replaced.

Establishing a backup allows the system administrator to recover the data later, even if the RAID controller manages to rebuild the array or the drive is replaced. This is essential in scenarios where data is critical for business operations or compliance with data management policies. Implementing frequent backups can significantly reduce the downtime and costs associated with data recovery processes.

In this context, while shutting down the server could prevent further issues, it does not prioritize data safety in the moment. Similarly, replacing the drive without RAID controller intervention or disabling predictive failure notifications doesn’t address the immediate need for data backup and could lead to more severe data loss or system instability. Therefore, backing up the data is the most responsible and effective initial action to take.