Upgrading HD on RAID1 array

Stan · June 17th, 2002, 03:19 PM

Hi,

I am thinking of upgrading the 2 IBM 40GB I have on a FastTrak RAID IDE controller.
The 2 HD are setup in RAID1. I need redundancy as this is a Win 2000 Server with important data.

The plan is to change the 2 HD with new 80GB IBM in 4 stages:
1) replace the 1st 40GB with a 80GB
2) run disks synchronisation.
3) replace remaining 40GB with remaining 80GB
4) run disks synchronisation.

Now, that should leave me with 40GB empty space.
My question is: will this empty space be available? RAID array information is stored on each disks. Because the original disks are 40GB, I am worried that the new 80GB will be seen as 40GB only...

I wish I could test this but... not enough spare parts...

I believe that Disk Management will be able to partition/use the free space... but I would like to have some input/comments before going ahead...

Thanks!!!

Stan

SickPup404 · June 17th, 2002, 03:54 PM

Well, I would THINK it would make the 80's appear as 40's. I've got an ABit KT7A-RAID with a Maxtor 40gig and IBM 40gig (DeskStar that got RMA'd) in a mirror. The IBM is slightly bigger, so it is my second drive, but there's no additional space.

I would think you'd need to leave the two 40's in there, install one of the 80's, format it, then copy the info over, drop the 40's, install the second 80 and duplicate it.

OR, you could just add the two 80's in a RAID1 as data drives - leave the 40's as-is and have another 80gigs of storage, not just an additional 40!

That gets my vote!

Stan · June 17th, 2002, 06:05 PM

Hi

Yeah, that's another good idea...

My only concern is the "overcrowding" of the box... and the PSU reaching max capacity.
So far, the box contains: dual CPU (PIII 600E), FastTrak66 RAID, SBLive, Intel NIC, Matrox G400 MAX, 2 HD, 1 CDRW, 1 DVD, 1 Tape, 1 ZIP, 1 FDD, .... and a neon string (almost forgot that one).
It also contains three 8cm fans.
The PSU is the Enermax 350W... but I don't feel it can handle more peripherals...

Stan

SickPup404 · June 17th, 2002, 10:52 PM

I'm thinking your bet bet will be an actual backup/restore or copy, rather than the disk imaging in the RAID controller... Once you get your data on an 80gig (formatted as 80), then jump to what you've already got up there in the first post (redo your mirroring).

Hope it helps somewhat! GL!

Stan · June 18th, 2002, 04:37 AM

Yep maybe I'll end up doing that...

Thanks, Stan

SickPup404 · July 11th, 2002, 11:53 PM

Did you ever try this out? I've got a similar situation now.

I'm upgrading a drive for a friend and have their old 10gig and a new 80gig. My mobo is a KT7A-RAID. Their drive has dual boot partitions. I'm wondering if I can take a shortcut and set their drives up as mirrors and just install the 80 back in their machine and have it fly...

Stan · July 12th, 2002, 06:30 AM

mondobyte, I like your solution no2.

This is how I will try to upgrade my disks.
- install new 80GB disk on the on-board controller (not the RAID)
- use windows RAID to mirror RAID1 hardware to new 80GB (all disk will be dynamic)
- break mirror, remove old 40GB array disks and install new 80GB on RAID controller
- boot PC and check/test
- install 2nd 80GB on RAID controller and build hardware RAID1

That should give me a spare 40GB partition (from old 40GB HD to new 80GB HD). And because disks are dynamic, no problem for resizing!

I will give it shot (as soon as I receive my new HDs - must order them 1st

)

Thanks

Stan

Stan · July 12th, 2002, 08:02 PM

Maybe resize was not the correct term to use. I should have said extend instead.
You can extend any single volume created with Win 2000 or XP.
I don't think you can extend the system volume though. I need to check that.

You are right when you say that you cannot convert the system volume to basic. In fact, the only way you can convert from dynamic to basic is to delete all partitions and then revert to basic. No need to say that this involves backups and reinstall.

Quote:

That should give me a spare 40GB partition (from old 40GB HD to new 80GB HD). And because disks are dynamic, no problem for resizing!

I said that because, in my situation, the only volume I will have to extend is the volume e:\ (obvioulsy not the system). And with dynamic disks, I can do it just like that, wihtout a reboot.

Hope everything is clear now...

Stan

Stan · July 14th, 2002, 12:19 PM

Well, it looks like my PSU is OK. It is an Enermax 350W (not redundant).
I think I will go ahead and buy two IBM 120Gxp 80GB. Still dunno what I will do with the old 40GB. Maybe keep them in the box for extra storage... like music and movies... now that I am sure that my PSU will handle 4 HD...