I have an array of 18 HDDs (pic attached). I have (3) 28TB HDDs arriving tomorrow. I am nearly out of free space on the array, so I want to upgrade (1) of my 8TB drives with (1) 28TB drive and then use the other (2) for parity. I really only have room for (20) total drives in my server case.

What is the best order to tackle this? Can I upgrade the 8tb to 28TB first? Then do a new config to start a parity build on the (2) 28TB HDDs?

It took 2 days to build 18TB parity. Not sure if 28TB will take 3+ b/c the (1) new 28TB data drive.

Any thing I am overlooking? Thx

2 minutes ago, wdpaynter said:

Can I upgrade the 8tb to 28TB first? Then do a new config to start a parity build on the (2) 28TB HDDs?

No because you can't have a data drive larger than parity.

If the system is trusted I would remove the existing parity drive, install the 3 new drives (1 data and 2 parity if I understand well), let it build parity (yes it'll take 2-3 days depending on activity), then replace one of the 8TBs with the old 18TB parity.

I would recommend converting some disks into zfs or pool disk raid setups.

like 3 disk in a raid z1

29 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

No because you can't have a data drive larger than parity.

If the system is trusted I would remove the existing parity drive, install the 3 new drives (1 data and 2 parity if I understand well), let it build parity (yes it'll take 2-3 days depending on activity), then replace one of the 8TBs with the old 18TB par

1 hour ago, Kilrah said:

No because you can't have a data drive larger than parity.

If the system is trusted I would remove the existing parity drive, install the 3 new drives (1 data and 2 parity if I understand well), let it build parity (yes it'll take 2-3 days depending on activity), then replace one of the 8TBs with the old 18TB parity.

I meant transfer data from 8TB to 28TB (not rebuild from parity), then do new config with dual 28TB parity. I only have room for 20 drives and already have 18 prior to adding the (3) 28TB. I guess it is kind of the reverse of your suggestion. I think yours makes more sense and will allow more available storage while I am building the new dual parity. Thanks!

Edited April 7Apr 7 by wdpaynter

13 minutes ago, bmartino1 said:

I would recommend converting some disks into zfs or pool disk raid setups.

like 3 disk in a raid z1

Not familiar. What would be the benefit? I am happy with my current setup, just need dual parity and more storage space. I also thought it was time to increase the drive size for the future instead of just buying more 18TB drives. Larger would also allow easier consolidation of existing drives.

Because this is a traditional array. parity based on the info screen picture provided is only parity for disk 1...

See unriad docs:
https://docs.unraid.net/unraid-os/using-unraid-to/manage-storage/array/overview/

https://docs.unraid.net/unraid-os/using-unraid-to/manage-storage/array/replacing-disks-in-array/

Where going ZFS would put 3 disks via raid z1 into a raid5/6 setup with striped and mirroed having parity, where 1 disk goes, you still have all data and give some space between 3 disks of the same size.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR5RCItyCsw

but wold requrie seting up pool disk and transitioning 3 disk out.

in a zfs you could replace disk over time more easily and gain space by doing so...

I posted as such as your main target was parity...

but ultimately, this means your moving disk into cache pools
https://docs.unraid.net/unraid-os/using-unraid-to/manage-storage/cache-pools/

which can result in some maximized space being lost for zfs parity.

usulay when one has more than 6 drives of similar size the standard unriad array doesn't make sense and one should look into muti disk raid setups to handle storage and content...

I'm just throwing out an option but it would require resetting up data and disk on unraid...
https://www.reddit.com/r/unRAID/comments/14zq1mz/video_guide_array_disk_conversion_to_zfs_or_other/

Ok, I appreciate the info and idea. Seems pretty complicated for my peanut brain and I'd like to move forward on the path I am on. Perhaps in the future. I realize I only have parity for (1) drive at the moment, that is why I am wanting dual parity.

Edited April 7Apr 7 by wdpaynter

8 minutes ago, bmartino1 said:

parity based on the info screen picture provided is only parity for disk 1...

That's not even a thing in Unraid. How high are you because you seem to only talk nonsense in the various threads you've posted in recently...

Edited April 7Apr 7 by Kilrah

I am no expert, but I am certain that my current setup provides parity for any SINGLE disk in the array and not just disk1. No big deal.

I know this, because I have rebuilt several drives due to various reasons (and that is the intent of an unRAID array)

Edited April 7Apr 7 by wdpaynter

14 minutes ago, wdpaynter said:

I am no expert, but I am certain that my current setup provides parity for any SINGLE disk in the array and not just disk1

Correct.

11 hours ago, bmartino1 said:

Because this is a traditional array. parity based on the info screen picture provided is only parity for disk 1...

All contributions are appreciated, but if you are not certain you are giving the correct info, please don't post; better that than providing wrong information.