RAID 5 after the fact...help

  • Thread starter Thread starter OSU
  • Start date Start date
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OSU

I have a server with a single scsi 18 gig drive in it, I would like to
idealy put a RAID in this server, the only thng is that I need to keep is
the drive exactly like it is. Is there a way that I can put in a RAID
controller, use that disk along with 2 or more drives and set it so it
creates a RAID 5 from the drive that I have already with the 2 or more other
disks?

Thanks
 
OSU

It *might* be possible, but there are quite a few problems. Most of them
depends on your choice of controller, and the capabilities of the
controller software.

Another possibility is to just perform a backup and restore, as this MS
Knowledge Base article explains:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=249694

Best regards

Bjorn
 
OSU,

No, what you're asking is not possible. When you would create the hardware
RAID 5 volume, it will erase all data on all of the drives that are part of
the volume. Your only option will be to backup the data currently on the
drive, then create the array, and then perform a restore.

--
Doug Allen
Windows 2000 MCSE
Microsoft Enterprise NT4/Win2k/XP/Win2k3 Setup Support

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 
OSU and Doug

Many advanced controllers allows for adding member disks, and reconfigure a
virtual disk, including changing the RAID type. I just checked a PERC 2Si,
and it allows me to add a member to my RAID 5, and reconfiguring it to RAID
10, all in one single step.

If the first disk will import to the controller as a virtual disk, then a
second member could be added, and the two of them be configured to RAID 0.
Next step would be to use diskpart.exe to expand a data partition to fill
the array. The last step would be to add a third disk, and reconfigure as
RAID 5.

Troublesome? Yes. Possible? Might be.

Best regards

Bjorn
 
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