Need disk reconfiguration plan for SBS2008 server
I have an SBS2008 server that is getting low on disk space on the C: partition. See attached graphic: Notice that the C: partition is getting low on space, but on the same logical disk, the D: data partition has way more space than it will ever need. I'd like to copy off the data on the D: drive to an external device, delete the D: partition, add maybe 100GB to the C: partition, then recreate D: with what's left.
Note that logical Disk1 on the graphic is actually a Dell PERC 6/i RAID5 array, with 3x500GB physical drives.
Questions:
Thanks.
disk.jpg
Note that logical Disk1 on the graphic is actually a Dell PERC 6/i RAID5 array, with 3x500GB physical drives.
Questions:
1.
Can I add just 100GB to the C: partition? I know I've done this before, but I added the entire remaining unallocated space to C:, not just a portion of it.2.
When I copy the data back to the recreated D: partition, will the permissions and shares be intact? Is there a method of copying the D: data off and then back on that will retain all of the security/share metadata? I do have a backup application that I could use to move the D: data back and forth if that is maybe a better way to do it.3.
There is a shrink function in the GUI. Would that be a better option, shrink the D: partition and use the remaining space to extend the C: partition?4.
Finally, if I do it this way, what type of partition should I make the D: partition when I recreate it? There are a couple of options as I remember.Thanks.
disk.jpg
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ASKER
ve3ofa: Sounds like a plan. Thanks. I will be using an external 1TB USB device with NTFS format as the scratch drive. Will that work in this scenario?
Sounds like what I'd do.. I'd be wary of the partitioning software as it may not recognize your RAID array.
ASKER
Yes, I was concerned about the underlying disk configuration in all of this, that's why I included that info. Sounds like what we have here should work. Will let you know how it goes.
ASKER
I will be doing this work this week and will close this question when I can verify the solution.
ASKER
New wrinkle; there is a Program Files folder on D: and it turns out that Exchange Server is installed there. The robocopy was failing on the active log files. I stopped the Exchange Info Store service and that seemed to get the log files copied. Also, SQL Server is installed on D: as well. So it turns out that D: is not just a data drive. What is the confidence level of being able to copy D: to an external drive, then return it to the new D: partition now that we know that there is both Exchange and SQL Server installed on D:?
A typical piss-poor Dell configuration sadly.
I think if you do anything with the D drive it will always be a virtual partition unless you rebuild the server properly from scratch without any Dell partitions.
Not sure what's best for you to be honest - I would be looking at a swing migration to a temporary server and then splat the server and rebuild it properly with decent size partitions and no Virtual Partitions.
Alan