The error occurs because standard smartctl commands cannot "see" through a Dell PERC or MegaRAID controller to the individual physical disks. To fix this, you must specify the raid type and the physical disk's ID using the -d megaraid,N flag. How to Fix the Error To successfully query your drive, follow these steps:
This error occurs when smartctl cannot directly access a physical disk ( /dev/sda ) because the disk is behind a or MegaRAID controller. The OS sees a virtual drive, not the raw physical disk.
Resolving smartctl "Open Device Failed" on Dell MegaRAID Controllers
When using on a Dell server equipped with a MegaRAID (PERC) controller, you may encounter the following error:
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Fix: smartctl "Open Device /dev/sda Failed" on Dell MegaRAID Controllers