Transfer speeds of putting files onto the unraid array aren't bad and lie between USB 2.0 and e-sata transfer speeds (avg 40000 Kb/s).

 

I have to possibilities for creating a new large unraid array:

 

Method one:

 

Insert new blank HD's, let unraid do the initialising and formatting,  put the array online (with parity deactivated) and then transfer the data to the array at 40000Kb/s, then activate parity disk

 

Method two:

 

I format the blank HD's on a linux system, transfer all data onto the disks at sata speed (avg 75000Kb/s), then add the disks to the unraid array, then activate parity disk

 

Which method is best, do I risk to loose data with method 2 or is this a better (and faster) solution

 

 

If you do not partition and format the disks EXACTLY as unRAID will, they will not be recognized by unRAID as valid and will be completely re-formatted when initially assigned.

 

Therefore, make sure you partition them exactly as unRAID would if you plan to fill them on your other system.

Assign them in the unRAID server, format them there, then move them to the other system for data migration, then move them back and assign the parity drive.

 

I strongly suggest you run the preclear_disk.sh script on all the new drives.  Otherwise, the first time the disks are read is when you initially calculate parity on the disks, and an un-readable sector will result in incorrect parity.  Since it seems 1 in 5 disks has shown problems in the pre-clearing process, it is a good burn-in test of the drives before you use them for your data.

 

Joe L.

Method one: You will get faster than 40Mbps without parity.

 

Method three: Create the array with data drives. Mount any existing disks outside the array and copy the data over to the array. Assign and build parity when complete.

 

Peter