Replacing drive with larger unit *and* changing drive format

[thedroid]

I would like to replace and existing drive with a larger unit but also change the drive from Reiser to XFS.

 

I have moved all the data from the existing drive to another location

 

My question is can I 

 

1. stop the array

2. replace the drive with the new one

3. set file system of the drive to XFS

4. restart the array

5. format unmountable drive

 

and have the array work without requiring a parity rebuild

or will I have to

 

   skip step 2 (keeping the original drive in place)

   continue with 3-5

    6. stop the array

    7. replace the drive

    8. Assign the new drive

    8. restart the array to do a parity rebuild.

 

 

 

[JorgeB]

To upgrade a drive you always need to rebuild, doesn't matter if the disk is empty or not, format the old disk to xfs first, then upgrade.

[Frank1940]

7 hours ago, thedroid said:

I would like to replace and existing drive with a larger unit but also change the drive from Reiser to XFS.

 

I have moved all the data from the existing drive to another location

 

My question is can I 

 

1. stop the array

2. replace the drive with the new one

3. set file system of the drive to XFS

4. restart the array

5. format unmountable drive

 

and have the array work without requiring a parity rebuild

or will I have to

 

   skip step 2 (keeping the original drive in place)

   continue with 3-5

    6. stop the array

    7. replace the drive

    8. Assign the new drive

    8. restart the array to do a parity rebuild.

 

 

 

NO!!!!!  Any The formatting operation for of any Operating System will result in all the current information on the disk becoming unavailable.   With a disk in the array, this will happen not only to the physical disk but also to  Parity.  If you change the format of an existing physical disk, this updating of Parity will cause any rebuilt of the emulated disk onto another disk be an empty disk with the new file system !

 

The recommended way to do a conversion for one files system and retain the data is described in this thread:

 

      https://forums.unraid.net/topic/54769-format-xfs-on-replacement-drive-convert-from-rfs-to-xfs/#comment-535203

 

There is no shortcut if you want to preserve Parity throughout the operation. 

 

I guess you could pull the old disk.  Insert the new disk into the array, change its formatting.  Mount the old disk using the Unassigned Devices plugin.  The copy all of the data from the old disk to the new one.  But I imagine that process will take as long as the recommended one and you will be totally on your own with respect to any problems you encounter.  

Edited June 1, 2023 by Frank1940

[JorgeB]

10 minutes ago, Frank1940 said:

NO!!!!!  Any The formatting operation for of any Operating System will result in all the current information on the disk becoming unavailable.

 

Unless I misunderstood the disk is already empty:

7 hours ago, thedroid said:

I have moved all the data from the existing drive to another location

 

[Frank1940]

17 minutes ago, JorgeB said:

 

Unless I misunderstood the disk is already empty:

 

I missed that part.   😲     However, I provided a link which use to serve to link users who wanted to convert from reiserfs to a new format.  I just checked that link and the link inside now points to the New Documentation section but the section on the conversion procedure is not there!   (At least, I could not find it.)  Do you know where it went or when that section will make it into the New Documentation.  (2025 will be here Soon™!)

 

Sorry, @thedroid, for hijacking your thread.

Edited June 1, 2023 by Frank1940