e-John
asked on
Adding disk with data to RAID array
Hi all.
I am working on setting up a backup server with a Dell PERC RAID array with Windows 2003 Server. What I would really like to do is to add one drive with (pre-existing) data and a blank drive, and set the array for RAID-1 mirroring. Is this possible, or will I just destroy the data in the initial disk?
-- e-John
I am working on setting up a backup server with a Dell PERC RAID array with Windows 2003 Server. What I would really like to do is to add one drive with (pre-existing) data and a blank drive, and set the array for RAID-1 mirroring. Is this possible, or will I just destroy the data in the initial disk?
-- e-John
Steve McCarthy, MCSE, MCSA, MCP x8, Network+, i-Net+, A+, CIWA, CCNA, FDLE FCIC, HIPAA Security Officer
Most controllers will allow you to designate a source drive to copy the mirror to. I would assume the PERC will do the same.
Most newer Raidcontrollers are intelligent enough to handle such a operation.
I advice you NOT to try it out. just save tha data to a networkfolder or use SymantecGhost to make an image of the data and then make experiments (On this way, you can try out if your controller can handle this, if not then restore the image an try the second way).
hope it helps
best wishes
Alex911
I advice you NOT to try it out. just save tha data to a networkfolder or use SymantecGhost to make an image of the data and then make experiments (On this way, you can try out if your controller can handle this, if not then restore the image an try the second way).
hope it helps
best wishes
Alex911
> Most controllers will allow you to designate a source drive to copy the mirror to. I would assume the PERC will do the same.
Errr.. probably not. Which model server and PERC is it (ie PERC 3/Di, PERC 3/DC etc)?
If it is the inbuilt RAID controller, then it is almost certainly an Adaptec - then no, any such operation is destructive. Try to craete a mirror and you'll lose your data. You *may* get away with it on the AMI controllers (PERC 3/DC, 4/DC etc). If you have an AMI controller, post which model and I'll give you precise steps.
BTW - CTRL-A to get into the BIOS = Adaptec (PERC 2/Di, 3/Di etc), CTRL-M = AMI (3/DC etc)
Errr.. probably not. Which model server and PERC is it (ie PERC 3/Di, PERC 3/DC etc)?
If it is the inbuilt RAID controller, then it is almost certainly an Adaptec - then no, any such operation is destructive. Try to craete a mirror and you'll lose your data. You *may* get away with it on the AMI controllers (PERC 3/DC, 4/DC etc). If you have an AMI controller, post which model and I'll give you precise steps.
BTW - CTRL-A to get into the BIOS = Adaptec (PERC 2/Di, 3/Di etc), CTRL-M = AMI (3/DC etc)
ASKER
>>>You *may* get away with it on the AMI controllers (PERC 3/DC, 4/DC etc). If you have an AMI controller, post which model and I'll give you precise steps.<<<
I have the older AMI Perc II Controller, which is not to be confused with the Adaptec Perc 2 or the AMI Perc 2/DC or SC. Go figure! Anyway, most of the literature calls it the Dell AMI PERC Controller. It is PCI with two DIMM sockets which carry 16MB each.
I did not see an option to do this. I plans are to ghost a drive first, in any event. But, if there is a way, i would like to know, but will have a spare drive in any event.
I have found problems with Ghost and Copy Commander from time to time, when it does not copy all of the boot partiion information.
I have the older AMI Perc II Controller, which is not to be confused with the Adaptec Perc 2 or the AMI Perc 2/DC or SC. Go figure! Anyway, most of the literature calls it the Dell AMI PERC Controller. It is PCI with two DIMM sockets which carry 16MB each.
I did not see an option to do this. I plans are to ghost a drive first, in any event. But, if there is a way, i would like to know, but will have a spare drive in any event.
I have found problems with Ghost and Copy Commander from time to time, when it does not copy all of the boot partiion information.
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A split would be appropriate
I'd like to know what the result was...