Increase Space on RAID 5 Array

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gre0145
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Gre0145

I have a server running Windows Server 2003. 3 Disk, each 120 GB. I
want to swap out disk for 1.5 TB disk. I've heard that you can swap
out the drives one at a time while letting each rebuild before
swapping the next. Is this true? If not, what is the best method of
performing this?
 
In message <[email protected]> kony
I'm not sure about the Intel Matrix Raid features, but with
other controllers, swapping out the 120GB to replace with a
1.5TB would result in only 120GB being usable on the 1.5TB
drive.
Click to expand...

This is true of most RAID controllers, however, with a lot of
controllers once all drives have unused space there is some way to
extend the array to use the space. Some even do it online (Highpoint's
RAID controllers are great for this)

Alas I don't have any Intel Matrix Raids online anymore, so I can't
check the software's available options right now.
 
DevilsPGD said:
In message <[email protected]> kony


This is true of most RAID controllers, however, with a lot of
controllers once all drives have unused space there is some way to
extend the array to use the space. Some even do it online (Highpoint's
RAID controllers are great for this)

Alas I don't have any Intel Matrix Raids online anymore, so I can't
check the software's available options right now.
Click to expand...

There is a barrier at 2.2TB. I suspect when you make the 3 drive RAID5
with the 1.5TB disks, you'll be past that point. This thread mentions
some of the terminology involved (GUID GPT to surpass 2.2TB, not
all OSes support GUID etc).

http://forums.techarena.in/server-cluster/938621.htm

So I wouldn't be in a rush to do that, until you verify
what your capabilities are with the OS.

There was one poster here, who created a RAID volume larger
than 2.2TB, and began storing movies on it. The volume
corrupted (magically), just as he had slightly more than
2.2TB stored on the array. Which is why you should be
*very* careful with this. You may think yourself a hero,
until the fateful day that you pass that point in terms
of filling the array. People who build those large
arrays, are also the people who cannot be bothered
to back them up.

No matter how you slice large storage devices, they are
not a lot of fun to maintain.

Paul
 
There is a barrier at 2.2TB. I suspect when you make the 3 drive RAID5
with the 1.5TB disks, you'll be past that point. This thread mentions
some of the terminology involved (GUID GPT to surpass 2.2TB, not
all OSes support GUID etc).

http://forums.techarena.in/server-cluster/938621.htm

So I wouldn't be in a rush to do that, until you verify
what your capabilities are with the OS.

There was one poster here, who created a RAID volume larger
than 2.2TB, and began storing movies on it. The volume
corrupted (magically), just as he had slightly more than
2.2TB stored on the array. Which is why you should be
*very* careful with this. You may think yourself a hero,
until the fateful day that you pass that point in terms
of filling the array. People who build those large
arrays, are also the people who cannot be bothered
to back them up.

No matter how you slice large storage devices, they are
not a lot of fun to maintain.
Click to expand...

I'm already running a couple redundant 3TB arrays here, the trick is to
consider your needs up front and make the initial decisions
appropriately.

GPT is one such example.
 
In message <[email protected]> Paul <[email protected]>
was claimed to have wrote:








I'm already running a couple redundant 3TB arrays here, the trick is to
consider your needs up front and make the initial decisions
appropriately.

GPT is one such example.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

I think I would prefer to rebuild the array as a mirror with just 2
drives. I can use the other 2 drives on another project. Anyone know
of any software (Ghost?) that can copy the whole image of a RAID 5
array?
 
I think I would prefer to rebuild the array as a mirror with just 2
drives. I can use the other 2 drives on another project. Anyone know of
any software (Ghost?) that can copy the whole image of a RAID 5 array?
Click to expand...

I don't use Ghost but I have used some of Acronis' products and they have
been very good for this. One feature I like is that you can safely image
a drive or array even while it is mounted under Windows.

Cheers,
 
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