I am new to unRaid, running version 4.2.1 Basic.  I have 3 500gb hdd, with disks 2 and 3 having 2 folders--movies; videos.  I set these two folder names up in the User share section and chose "High Water" as the method for allocation.  The split level was initially set to 0.  I have been ripping my DVD's to the movies folder and have created (using windows xp explorer) folders for each movie under the "Movie" folder.  I should have paid closer attention, but now the first disk is full, and I can't copy anymore movies.  I have searched the forum and have changed the split level to 2 thinking that would solve the problem, but it still tries to copy to the first disk.  Should I change the split level to 999 or am I missing something else?  I want to keep all the files for a single movie on the same disk for smoother playback.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

You should be weary on the Split Level structure before you start copying files to your unRAID server. Go to the Wiki site and it'll explain how Split Levels work, there is heaps of threads on this forum which explains the structure easier.

To even out the full disk space issue that you have, make your drives as Read/Write Export share, and move 1/3 of the files to one drive and move another 1/3 to the other (This can be done under the unRAID Linux prompt too for a faster response), otherwise do this in Windows Explorer. By doing this, you'll have 1/3 of files spread out across all drives.

A split level of 1 with the "high water" setting should allow the subdirectories in the "Movies" share to appear on either disk but it will keep any files below the subdirectories on the same disk. That is what I am using.

 

Check the include and exclude disk settings.

 

Also, maybe you created the directory with the "0" setting and now the directory is on the full disk and it will not be moved to the empty one. Try deleting it and starting again.

 

Peter

If you are new to unRAID, you should be using version 4.5.1.  It has many fixes, quite a few involving user-shares.

 

One change in it is split level 0 is treated specially.  I think in your 4.2.1 version it indicated to never split. 

On 4.3 it changes to split at any level. 

 

In 4.5.1 a split level of 0 now indicates you want to create the directories on the disks yourself for complete control but the array will create new files and directories in directories that already exist.  It also has minimum free space setting for each disk.  It is described here: http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=3760.0 

 

Besides all that, your 4.2.1 version is about 34 versions ago (if you count all the beta versions)

 

4.2.2 fixed a fairly major bug that prevent the swap-disable process from working.

4.2.3 fixed a problem with renaming directories under user-shares

4.3 fixed a problem in clearing disks.

 

You will need to copy three files from the unzipped 4.5.1 distribution to upgrade from the 4.2.1 version you are running. bzroot, bzimage, and memtest

Joe, I read that link you posted regarding split level 0 and now I'm a bit more confused. Here's my situation:

 

Disk 1

    Movies

        A

          Aliens

              Aliens.iso

        B

          Back to the Future

              VOB files

        C

          Cars

              VOB files

        .

        .

        Z

 

Movies is a user share (disk shares are hidden) and the split level is set at 2. My understanding with that split level is that the Aliens folder will be placed on any available disk (according to allocation) and all it's files/sub-folders will be tied to that disk.

 

When setting up the Movies share unRaid created it on Disk 1 only. When the Disk 1 fills will unRaid automatically create the folder structure on another disk?

If not do I need to manually create just the root Movies folder or do I need to manually create the folder structure up to the split level I have set (ie. Movies/A....Z) on each disk I want unRaid to utilize?

 

If I do have to manually create the folder structure on each drive why wouldn't I just use a split level of 0?

-Thanks

You should have started your own thread.

 

The share should split to another drive based on the split level setting. Depending on the share settings it should not wait until the first drive is full either. So, post the rest of your share settings.

 

Peter