In this case i was using the machine as network storage, with the RAID1 array being part of a backup. The main system was on a separate disk, so the RAID was in

In this case i was using the machine as network storage, with the RAID1 array being part of a backup. The main system was on a separate disk, so the RAID was in no way required for booting up. In fact, i never explicitly set it up during installation. Not only could i not see what was going on, i couldn't even access the machine from the network. All for no good reason.