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2TB Limit with Server 2008 R2 X64 Raid 5 Array
Server Specs:
IBM x3620 M3 with 8x 2TB SAS drives with a ServeRAID M5015 SAS/SATA Controller.
Earlier this week I had configured a RAID 5 array using the LSI MegaRaid config wizard in the bios. I used all 8 drives in a RAID 5 volume.
I then preceded to install Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 onto that array. When I booted into the Operating System - I shrunk the C:/ drive from 12.53 TB to 100 GB and then used the remaning space as a Backup Drive (V:). Everything was working fine.
Today i had a change of plans and decided to create 2 RAID 5 arrays (each with 4x2tb drives).
I then attempted to install Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 onto the first array. Once i entered into the OS i noticed that i only had access to 1.99 TB of data. The rest of my array was unusable and unavailable. I could not extend/expand the array - or create new volumes with it.
The send new 4x2tb array that i created was not the OS drive - and i was able to convert that to a dynamic/GPT disk so that all of the 5.5TB was usable.
MY QUESTION: Why am i now limited by the 2TB limit? I do not think that i did anything different with the setup this time. I am confused because earlier this week I had server 2008 R2 x 64 using the entire 12.5 TB array with (8x2TB) drives - now, using the same drives - just in different arrays - i am only able to access 2Tbs.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
IBM x3620 M3 with 8x 2TB SAS drives with a ServeRAID M5015 SAS/SATA Controller.
Earlier this week I had configured a RAID 5 array using the LSI MegaRaid config wizard in the bios. I used all 8 drives in a RAID 5 volume.
I then preceded to install Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 onto that array. When I booted into the Operating System - I shrunk the C:/ drive from 12.53 TB to 100 GB and then used the remaning space as a Backup Drive (V:). Everything was working fine.
Today i had a change of plans and decided to create 2 RAID 5 arrays (each with 4x2tb drives).
I then attempted to install Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 onto the first array. Once i entered into the OS i noticed that i only had access to 1.99 TB of data. The rest of my array was unusable and unavailable. I could not extend/expand the array - or create new volumes with it.
The send new 4x2tb array that i created was not the OS drive - and i was able to convert that to a dynamic/GPT disk so that all of the 5.5TB was usable.
MY QUESTION: Why am i now limited by the 2TB limit? I do not think that i did anything different with the setup this time. I am confused because earlier this week I had server 2008 R2 x 64 using the entire 12.5 TB array with (8x2TB) drives - now, using the same drives - just in different arrays - i am only able to access 2Tbs.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Server 2008, 2008R2, Vista, 7 cannot boot to a larger than ~2TB volume unless installed on UEFI-enabled system.
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ASKER
How was it that i had it booted before than? I was booting to a 12.5 TB Drive on a 100GB partition... I do also remember there being a EFI System partion or something along those lines with the first install...
I object closing for zero. His question was asked, and answered by two experts correctly. I will add that an array, volume, and partition are different things. Booting to a 100GB partition is different then booting to a volume or disk. To make it easier to understand, let me just say that windows won't let you boot to a C: drive that is > 2.09 TB. the 100GB partition is C:, so it worked. In light of the additional info, author clearly tried to make the 4x2GB array into a "C" drive. This will not work.
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I think splitting the points would have been more appropriate, but thank you for not simply closing the question.
thx everybody.