I want to reorder my disks to move the smallest to the end to so I can in the future move towards bigger and fewer disks and not have any gaps in the numbering (yes, OCD...). I have dual parity at the moment and I know that the second parity drive will be invalid if I reorder the disks, but the first one should still be fine.

If I want to have the security of the first parity drive present while rebuilding the second parity drive, can I do it like this:

1. Stop the array
2. New config, put the disks in the order I want but leave the second parity blank
3. Start the array and tick that parity is valid (only one parity drive at the moment)
4. Stop the array
5. Add the second parity drive back
6. Start the array and DON'T tick that parity is valid

Will this only recalculate parity for P2 when I start the array at #6, or will it recalculate for both disks and leave me without parity at all for quite a lot of hours?

are you sure parity is currently valid which is required if you are going to tick the Parity is Valid after using New Config.

 

Your process is OK, except for the fact there is no Parity is Valid option as that is only relevant if going via New Config which would not be the case for step 6.

 

Of course. My mistake. But just to make sure, I will during this whole process have at least one valid parity drive at all times?

Just now, Xorius said:

Of course. My mistake. But just to make sure, I will during this whole process have at least one valid parity drive at all times?

Yes as long as parity1 really is currently valid

Just now, itimpi said:

Yes as long as parity1 really is currently valid

I will verify it before I start but it has never been anything but correct up until now so I am feeling confident it won't fail now.

 

Thank you!