Mirror Existing Dynamic Volume
Here's the situation. Windows Server 2003 Standard, SP2. I have a pair of identical disks in a Proliant system. They have both been configured as Dynamic Disks. The System Paritition is on Disk 0, 25GB. The Data Partition is also on Disk 0, 124.04GB. Disk 1 is sitting completely unallocated, with a reported size of 149.05GB. All sizes coming from the Computer Management GUI.
Here's the problem. I can only get one of these partitions to mirror. Once one is mirrored, the "Add Mirror..." option is grayed out.
On another server, I was able to mirror both partitions, but the difference was that I created the Data Partition as a Mirrored Partition when it was formed and formatted. In my current server, the Partition was created and formatted, and now contains a bunch of data that I cannot easily trash and recreate.
Thanks.
Here's the problem. I can only get one of these partitions to mirror. Once one is mirrored, the "Add Mirror..." option is grayed out.
On another server, I was able to mirror both partitions, but the difference was that I created the Data Partition as a Mirrored Partition when it was formed and formatted. In my current server, the Partition was created and formatted, and now contains a bunch of data that I cannot easily trash and recreate.
Thanks.
ASKER
It's a Proliant DL320 G5p. The Smart Buy price for this box was unbelievable, and it's an AV Console Server, so there's no demand for hardware RAID.
I had looked at the article you referenced, as the attached shows, I'm looking to do the Boot and Data Partitions on my system.
As you suggest, I cannot right-click Disk 0 and choose anything related to mirroring. I can mirror one of the drives by right-clicking it (C: or E:), but once one is mirrored, the other no longer has the option to create a mirror.
It's odd, since like I said, another DL320 G5p didn't have this problem, although the mirror on that box was created at the time the E: Drive was partitioned, and the C: Drive was mirrored prior to the creation of the E: Drive Mirror/Partition.
I guess I'm unable to do this because I am losing something with formatting, but I don't know that for sure. If someone can confirm that thought, I guess the points will go there. Or, if there is a way to get this done, points will go to that person.
Thanks.
diskmanagement.jpg
I had looked at the article you referenced, as the attached shows, I'm looking to do the Boot and Data Partitions on my system.
As you suggest, I cannot right-click Disk 0 and choose anything related to mirroring. I can mirror one of the drives by right-clicking it (C: or E:), but once one is mirrored, the other no longer has the option to create a mirror.
It's odd, since like I said, another DL320 G5p didn't have this problem, although the mirror on that box was created at the time the E: Drive was partitioned, and the C: Drive was mirrored prior to the creation of the E: Drive Mirror/Partition.
I guess I'm unable to do this because I am losing something with formatting, but I don't know that for sure. If someone can confirm that thought, I guess the points will go there. Or, if there is a way to get this done, points will go to that person.
Thanks.
diskmanagement.jpg
As you suggest, I cannot right-click Disk 0 and choose anything related to mirroring....
I did not say that. I suggest you to right click disk 0 instead of right click on the C: or E:.... Anyway, try to follow these steps:
- Break all current mirror (from partitions...)
- Right click disk 0 and then click Add Mirror
- Select the disk 1 and then click Add Mirror.
- Once you see disk 0 and disk 1 are in the same color, you are done.
I can mirror one of the drives by right-clicking it (C: or E:)....
You get me wrong on this. C: or E: are just partition and you don't want to just mirror partitions. You want to mirror entire disk0 to disk1. Therefore, what you do is just right click on disk0 and mirror it. Once you are done with everything, you will see disk 1 has exact same partitions as disk0.
K
I did not say that. I suggest you to right click disk 0 instead of right click on the C: or E:.... Anyway, try to follow these steps:
- Break all current mirror (from partitions...)
- Right click disk 0 and then click Add Mirror
- Select the disk 1 and then click Add Mirror.
- Once you see disk 0 and disk 1 are in the same color, you are done.
I can mirror one of the drives by right-clicking it (C: or E:)....
You get me wrong on this. C: or E: are just partition and you don't want to just mirror partitions. You want to mirror entire disk0 to disk1. Therefore, what you do is just right click on disk0 and mirror it. Once you are done with everything, you will see disk 1 has exact same partitions as disk0.
K
ASKER
There is no mirror currently.
See attached image for right-click options based on your direction. I do not have those options, as I stated. What I can do is mirror partitions, which runs contrary to your statements.
diskmanagement2.jpg
See attached image for right-click options based on your direction. I do not have those options, as I stated. What I can do is mirror partitions, which runs contrary to your statements.
diskmanagement2.jpg
ASKER
Same thing.
diskmanagement3.jpg
diskmanagement3.jpg
Did you set up the second drive and the first drive as cable select or Master and Slave? Cable select is the right way to do.
K
K
Here is another thing to try:
Right-click the unallocated space on the second disk (disk 1) and then click New Volume.
In the New Volume Wizard, click Next, click Mirrored, and then follow the instructions on your screen.
K
Right-click the unallocated space on the second disk (disk 1) and then click New Volume.
In the New Volume Wizard, click Next, click Mirrored, and then follow the instructions on your screen.
K
ASKER
Just to show that I'm not in agreement with the "Drive only" mirroring concept, see the attached.
Even though the unallocated space shows the exact amount of the C: Partition, "Add Mirror..." is grayed out when I try to get the C: Drive mirrored. Following the KB article doesn't do it either.
diskmanagement4.jpg
Even though the unallocated space shows the exact amount of the C: Partition, "Add Mirror..." is grayed out when I try to get the C: Drive mirrored. Following the KB article doesn't do it either.
diskmanagement4.jpg
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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HP supposedly always format the disks to the same size but it does sound that InKevin is right, alternatively you could delete the second partition and re-create a slightly smaller one.
ASKER
Sorry for the absence, other issues burning hotter than this one.
The drives are assumed to be the same; they're both from HP and branded as such from them.
I cannot easily delete the second partition at this point; the data on it are too time consuming to recreate.
I will have to follow up with HP to see what their answer is. Good to know that I'm not losing my mind.
The drives are assumed to be the same; they're both from HP and branded as such from them.
I cannot easily delete the second partition at this point; the data on it are too time consuming to recreate.
I will have to follow up with HP to see what their answer is. Good to know that I'm not losing my mind.
What did HP say?
I've just opened the .jpgs (I can't open .doc)
They have a "proliant" which presumably has a RAID controller in it but are trying to mirror dynamic disks with software RAID.
Why didn't anyone notice that before?
They have a "proliant" which presumably has a RAID controller in it but are trying to mirror dynamic disks with software RAID.
Why didn't anyone notice that before?
ASKER
Went through the RAID topic already; I got a fantastic deal on this server without the RAID Controller, and do not have a need for it. It's just two hard drives, so software mirroring is what i was looking to accomplish.
Haven't had a chance to talk HP, other things taking precedence.
Haven't had a chance to talk HP, other things taking precedence.
Another question, what model of your Proliant? Why not using HW raid?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323432
K