Hello,

I apologize for posting a similar question in other topic, but as this is my first time performing this procedure, I would appreciate confirmation before proceeding.

Currently, I have a small system with four SATA ports configured as follows:

• SATA 1: 4TB Parity

• SATA 2: 4TB Data

• SATA 3: 4TB Data

• SATA 4: Free

I have purchased two used Exos 18TB drives and would like to achieve the following configuration:

• SATA 1: 18TB Data

• SATA 2: 4TB Data

• SATA 3: 4TB Data

• SATA 4: 18TB Parity

Could you please confirm whether the following steps are correct? I understand that running Preclear is advisable since the new drives are used (with two years of warranty remaining).

1. Run a parity check

2. Shut down the system, install the 18TB drive on SATA 4, and run Preclear

3. Stop the array, unassign the old 4TB parity drive, and assign the new 18TB drive as parity

4. Start the array and rebuild parity

5. Shut down the system and replace the 4TB drive on SATA 1 with the new 18TB drive

6. Run Preclear on the new drive, add it to the array, start the array, and format the new disk

Please, note I give priority to no data loss than speed :-)

Thanks!

Piero

yes that will work

Thanks trurl for the fast reply!

I will proceed like that.

If you want to keep the data already on the drive replaced in step 5) you must NOT format the drive in step 6 but instead let the system rebuild the drive to keep its data.

If you do format in step 6 then you would have to find a way to attach the old 4TB SATA1 drive and copy its data back.

9 hours ago, itimpi said:

keep the data already on the drive replaced in step 5)

11 hours ago, niceflower said:

• SATA 1: 4TB Parity

5. Shut down the system and replace the 4TB drive on SATA 1 with the new 18TB drive

According to this, that drive was parity so had no data

6 hours ago, trurl said:

According to this, that drive was parity so had no data

Maybe, but OP described rebuilding parity in steps 3 and 4, so I assumed steps 5 and 6 were about replacing the data drive. The steps laid out say that SATA4 will be the new parity drive and SATA1 will become a data drive. However looking more closely I do see the number of data drives is increasing from 2 to 3 so the format WILL be necessary.