pulpboy99
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Possible to increase RAID 5 capacity without Data Loss or re-installing OS?
Is there any way I can increase capacity by taking a hard drive out and installing a larger one? And doing this to all hard drives until they have all been replaced? If so, can you please provide a step by step? I have never had to deal with any replacements of hard drives in any kind of RAID and our server is running out of space.
We have an HP DL380 running Windows 2000 SP4. It has a Smart Array 5i Embedded Controller (Version 2.80A) with 6 hard drives (18.2 GB) all running in one RAID 5 Array, with 2 partitions C:\ and D:\.
From what I have read it sounds like it may be possible. Below are the steps I think I have to take but I would surely love if some can tell me if I am way off or what I am missing:
1. I can remove a hard drive even while the server is still up (hot)? Does it matter which in which order (Slot number)?
2. Then replace it with a larger hard drive within a couple of minutes? But not sure if the even logs will tell me that the hard drive has been fully rebuilt.
3. Repeat these steps until all hard drives have been replaced?
4. Is there anything that needs to be done on the OS or the Compaq Array Configuration Utility so I can see all the additional space?
5. Since it currently has a C: and a D: partition, can either one of those be increased or will I be forced to create a third partition?
much appreciated.
We have an HP DL380 running Windows 2000 SP4. It has a Smart Array 5i Embedded Controller (Version 2.80A) with 6 hard drives (18.2 GB) all running in one RAID 5 Array, with 2 partitions C:\ and D:\.
From what I have read it sounds like it may be possible. Below are the steps I think I have to take but I would surely love if some can tell me if I am way off or what I am missing:
1. I can remove a hard drive even while the server is still up (hot)? Does it matter which in which order (Slot number)?
2. Then replace it with a larger hard drive within a couple of minutes? But not sure if the even logs will tell me that the hard drive has been fully rebuilt.
3. Repeat these steps until all hard drives have been replaced?
4. Is there anything that needs to be done on the OS or the Compaq Array Configuration Utility so I can see all the additional space?
5. Since it currently has a C: and a D: partition, can either one of those be increased or will I be forced to create a third partition?
much appreciated.
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The method jascot goes through is basically correct but there's no option to take the disks offline, you just have to eject them. This adds one to the hotplug count stored on the SMART area but that hardly matters since you are replacing them. Don' forget to wait for the rebuild to complete, it may only run at 4GB per hour. You can increase the rebuild priority at the sacrifice of performance under the logical disk properties. When you open the ACU it tells you if rebuild is still going on, unfortunately it doesn't inform you the job is complete in the event log. The Systems management homepage also tells you if the array is still degraded or not.
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Thanks for the info guys. But Jascot is basing this off of a Dell PERC Controller card. I'm dealing with an older Smart Array 5i Embedded Controller (Version 2.80A). Is there anyone out there that knows if it is possible on the Smart Array?
What I care about the most is the data on the D: partition (The OS is not so important)
If it can't be done, is there any software that can copy the folders with all of their Security Permissions over to a new server? I just built a server with Windows 2003 Server. I've heard that Robocopy is command line only and when it bombs out, there is no log telling you where the problem is. So I am willing to purchase software that can get it done.
What I care about the most is the data on the D: partition (The OS is not so important)
If it can't be done, is there any software that can copy the folders with all of their Security Permissions over to a new server? I just built a server with Windows 2003 Server. I've heard that Robocopy is command line only and when it bombs out, there is no log telling you where the problem is. So I am willing to purchase software that can get it done.
Yes you can backup all you application registry or OS through Acronis True Image : http://www.acronis.com/
which is best for backup Or a little cheaper is http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.htm
I hope you will find this useful. Thanks.
which is best for backup Or a little cheaper is http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.htm
I hope you will find this useful. Thanks.
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Decided to go the Robocopy path and copy everything to a different server. After further reading on other posts it just made me very skeptical that I would have been successful. Thank you all for your input.
Once I complete the migration, I will test what you guys posted since I will have nothing to lose on the old server.
Once I complete the migration, I will test what you guys posted since I will have nothing to lose on the old server.
www.terabyteunlimited.com/
Rest of the steps you can follow as stated above. Hope you will find it useful. Thanks.