My server is running really slow and started a new parity check after reboot, when parity was good before.  Can someone help.  Please.tower-diagnostics-20201213-1213.zip

Disk3 dropped offline:

 

Dec 12 12:45:27 WattsTower kernel: usb 4-2: USB disconnect, device number 2
Dec 12 12:45:27 WattsTower kernel: sd 1:0:0:0: [sda] Synchronizing SCSI cache
Dec 12 12:45:27 WattsTower kernel: print_req_error: I/O error, dev sda, sector 87851080
Dec 12 12:45:27 WattsTower kernel: md: disk3 read error, sector=87851016
Dec 12 12:45:27 WattsTower kernel: md: disk3 read error, sector=87851024
Dec 12 12:45:27 WattsTower kernel: md: disk3 read error, sector=87851032
Dec 12 12:45:27 WattsTower kernel: md: disk3 read error, sector=87851040

 

We don't recommend using USB for array devices, as they are known to drop a lot and bad at error handling.

I understand,  what do you suggest?  Can I take them out and put into 2 other servers and save the information?  I have 13 disks.

11 minutes ago, Fozzie said:

what do you suggest?

Using onboard SATA ports + HBA if needed.

 

12 minutes ago, Fozzie said:

Can I take them out and put into 2 other servers and save the information?

Should be OK, but some USB enclosures create a custom partition or use a custom ID that might not be recognized by Unraid on a SATA port, it should still work with UD if needed.

Sorry just learning this stuff what is HBA?   This is the new motherboard I am planning on using. Does this help?

 

1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.

1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
* The PCIEX4 slot shares bandwidth with the SATA Express connector. When the SATA Express connector is populated, the PCIEX4 slot operates at up to x2 mode.

2 x PCI Express x1 slots
(All of the PCI Express slots conform to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)

2 x PCI slots

Just now, Fozzie said:

what is HBA

HBA = Host Bus Adapter.   Basically this is a way of attaching disks.  It is typically for disk controllers that do not have built in RAID support.

Syba 4-port SATA III PCIe 2.0 Controller Card.  Some thing like this?

2 minutes ago, Fozzie said:

Syba 4-port SATA III PCIe 2.0 Controller Card.  Some thing like this?

Marvell controllers should be avoided.

My case only holds 6 drives how would I increase drive space?

Will pcie to esata card work?

 

You can do eSATA or SAS to another enclosure but you need separate connections for each disk. 

 

Another way to increase capacity is to upsize disks. 

Not sure I understand what you mea when you say "separate connection for each disk" do you enclosure or disks inside enclosure?

2 hours ago, Fozzie said:

Not sure I understand what you mea when you say "separate connection for each disk" do you enclosure or disks inside enclosure?

I mean from the main computer to each disk. SAS can give multiple connections on a single cable, but they are still separate connections. SATA is one port and one cable for each disk.

 

The reason for this is because parity operations ideally happen in parallel. If all disks can't be accessed simultaneously then performance for things like parity checks and disk rebuilds will suffer greatly.

4 hours ago, trurl said:

Another way to increase capacity is to upsize disks.

I see from those diagnostics earlier that you still have a lot of free space currently. How many of those disks are using USB connections?

All are on usb enclosure.  I am just thinking about increasing the drives and connection to the motherboard. 

24 minutes ago, Fozzie said:

All are on usb enclosure.

How long does parity check take? 

Usually 5-7 days

That's what happens when you don't have separate connections for each disk. Should be only one day or less for 10TB parity 

Ok, changing to new computer with 6 sata ports and have an IO CREST M.2 22x42 to SATA III 2 Ports Adapter Card on the way.  That should be enough to hold all my drives. Once I upgrade to 10tb drives. Correct?