So I have 3 disks in my array (1 x 8 TB Parity, 1 x 3 TB and 1 x 6 TB.

I want to change it to 5 x 18 TB disks quickly.

I have removed the parity and changed with a new disk and started it.

Takes a long time.

How do I change the datadrives quickly (they are healthy)?

Can I move the data from disk2 to disk1 while the parity is rebuilding or is that not smart? Reason is I only have two sata power ports left for the new 4 disks, so thought I could empty data from one hdd and take that out and maybe buy a molex to sata power cable for the remaining.

I have a dealine on this to saturday, so hope it's doable.

Edited February 15, 20242 yr by Bjur

If you can tolerate being without parity protection for a while:

- Remove parity drive

- Put 2 18TB drives in array, format them, copy everything from one of the old one to one of the new and from the other old to the other new

- Remove those 2 old disks, install all the others, build parity.

Thanks for the answer. It's already been building parity for a few hours now.

But can I move the data from the old disk2 to disk1 while parity is rebuilding?

Also with the new disks how do I balance them correctly so let's say I want to fill disk1 up to x perfect and then next disk takes over so it will not completely fill up? Is there a balancer or what is best practice?

14 minutes ago, Bjur said:

But can I move the data from the old disk2 to disk1 while parity is rebuilding?

You can but it'll slow both the build and the copy to being slower than doing them one after the other.

 

Share settings define how things are arranged and how much to leave free.

Edited February 15, 20242 yr by Kilrah

If you leave the parity building:

- It'll end when it's done, which will take about 24 hours

- You'll replace disk 1, it'll rebuild, which will take another about 24h

- You'll replace disk 2, it'll rebuild, another 24

- You'll install the other 2, it'll take another 24 hours for them to clear before they're ready to use

 

The last step can be avoided if you have enough SATA ports and can have them in the server while doing the rest but not assigned to the array yet, and use the Unassigned Devices Preclear plugin to do the clear while the rest is being done.

Edited February 15, 20242 yr by Kilrah

Thanks for the answer. I will let it rebuild.

Ive ordered 2 x molex to sata power cables.

I have enough sata data cables since i have a controller card.

If i move the data manually from old disk1 to disk2 after parity has finished can i do the last 3 steps in 1 step. So remove both old data drives (1 with data, 1 without data) add 2 new replacement drives and 2 new drives normally to array?

Tbh I haven't precleared new parity drive since they are new Exos enterprise drives and read it should not be necessary anymore.

21 minutes ago, Bjur said:

If i move the data manually from old disk1 to disk2 after parity has finished can i do the last 3 steps in 1 step. So remove both old data drives (1 with data, 1 without data) add 2 new replacement drives and 2 new drives normally to array?

No, you'd still have to go through the whole thing. Once you have parity protection you cannot just remove a drive like this, the only 2 options are replacing it (rebuilding on the replacement) or removing but at the cost of a parity rebuild, and only one operation can be done at a time, a drive can only be rebuilt from parity AND all the other array drives, even if "empty" disk2 is required to be able to rebuild disk1. It doesn't matter whether there's useful data on the drive or not so moving it would be pointless.

 

So if you want it done fast the parity build that's currently running is a waste of time as it'll have to be rebuilt again after the configuration changes. So you'd have to remove parity, manually move things to new drives without relying on it or drive rebuilds, and recreate it as the last step as I described in my first reply.

Edited February 15, 20242 yr by Kilrah

Okay so you suggestion is if i want to do it the proper way without having to preclear all drives is to.

Stop currently parity build.

Remove parity drive.

Install 2 new replacement drives.

Add 2 new drives in new data slots.

Copy data from old disks to new disks.

Replace old disks data slots with 2 other newer disks.

When thats done add parity and rebuild?

Edited February 15, 20242 yr by Bjur