I have emptied 2 hdd that I want to remove completely from the server.

 

Is this how to do it:

 

1)Parity check

2) Click "Stop"

3) Unassign the hdds I want to remove

4) Goto Utils then New Config and then Apply.

5) Reboot

6) Let parity rebuild

 

Is this ok?

Hi,

 

Well, the official unraid wiki states this:

 

  Remove one or more data disks

 

In this case the missing disk(s) will be identified. If there is only one missing disk when you start the array it will be marked as failed. All data disks will be exported (including the missing one), but the system will be running unprotected; that is, if a disk fails you will lose data.

 

If there are two or more missing disks, you can not start the array. In this case you must either put the disks back, or click Restore on the Main page to reset the configuration.

 

Even though the title does say "Remove one or more data disks" looks like everyone missed this one, because that statement looks like its a troubleshooting step, even thought its under "1.1.2.2 Disk configuration changes"

 

Lets see ....

 

Oh look, the FAQ has something to say:

 

How do I remove multiple drives?

 

See http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=2088.0

 

I really don't mean to be sarcastic, but a little research work, and you would have found your answer.  This took me 15 minutes.

 

Sideband Samurai.

I have found that thread via search but it was written in 2008. Unraid does not use Restore any more.

 

I was just looking for an up to date procedure.

Well I owe you an apology.  good work.

 

What version are you Using?

 

--Sideband Samurai

RC5 at the moment.

Unfortunately I am currently not on that version.  Which would tell me that procedure is for 4.7.  Here is a suggested method based on the instructions in the mentioned thread:

 

Well for 4.7 which is what I am currently on, and using the procedure I mentioned above here is how I would go about doing it.

1.  stop the Array

2.  reboot unraid  This will clear any folders in use.

2.  go to the Devices page and un-assign the now empty drives.

3.  Go to the console or start a putty session. enter the following commands:

    A.  cd /boot/config <enter>

    B.  ren super.dat super.20120901

        note: 20120901 is actually todays date.  YYYYMMDD

4.  Start the Array.

5.  a parity check will start

 

I would suggest fully reviewing the above thread to make sure I am not missing anything but step 3 replaces the function of the restore button.

 

It also would appear your procedure is pretty close also, so I am thinking we are in the ball park.  Resetting the super.dat file allows you to start the array so that a parity can be rebuilt.  I am thinking that the "New Config" button is performing that function.

 

--Sideband Samurai

I have emptied 2 hdd that I want to remove completely from the server.

 

Is this how to do it:

 

1)Parity check

2) Click "Stop"

3) Unassign the hdds I want to remove

4) Goto Utils then New Config and then Apply.

5) Reboot

6) Let parity rebuild

 

Is this ok?

 

cant remember the exact thread i used, but your steps is correct ( i am currently on RC5).

I recently required to move all the data from my unraid array due to a planned server migration (new case ,new drives, same unraid license)

since i didn't want to go the route where i add and migrate data one dive at a time on the new server (not trusting my ,linux skills i guess ) , i opted for moving all the data from the disk i want to clear, restoring it with parity rebuilt where neccesary(think i had to do it twice due to capacity issues), and then continuing.

moving the data was another mission - but basically had to remove from user share, reboot, rename the folders on the source drive, and then copy via MC back to the user share.

 

 

its a good idea to keep screenshots handy of drives you want to keep /remove - mistakes can be costly

 

good luck

 

Neo_X

When I did this recently I just used the new config button.  Make sure you know which disk your parity is as you need to assign all of the disks again, there is no need to reboot. 

 

If you want to be safe then do a parity check before you do anything, it wont help you once you remove a disk but it might highlight any issues which would otherwise be exposed when you rebuild parity after removing the disks.

 

I have parity errors when I did the above procedure??? I started the parity check twice and each time the errors started so I canceled them both.

 

What do I now?

syslog.txt

I have parity errors what now???

really does not matter since you'll be re-calculating parity in its entirety.

 

However, after completing the parity calc, perform a parity check. If errors, you need to resolve why.  (typically bad hardware, either a disk, disk-controller, cable, motherboard, RAM, or power supply.)

Joe. I am absolutely panicking. At the moment my array is at Stop. When I start it, everything is green and no parity check starts. Do I just do it and go over the thousands of errors it throws up?

Please can you also check my syslog?

I have parity errors when I did the above procedure??? I started the parity check twice and each time the errors started so I canceled them both.

 

What do I now?

Did you click on the "New-Config" button?  You best describe EXACTLY what you did.

 

 

Any advice given for earlier versions of unRAID may be wrong (and are likely wrong) for current unRAID rc versions. 

(Specifically, do NOT remove the super.dat file. That worked on the 4.7 version... Instead,  Use the "New-Config" button on the web-interface.)

 

I hope you remember how you had the disks partitioned, since you'll end up with all kinds of problems if not defined properly.  (disks will show as unformatted, and all kinds of parity errors will result)  You WILL lose data if you format the disks, so DO NOT press "Format" if a disk you know has data shows as un-formatted.

 

Joe L.

Yes I clicked New Config. Then Apply. The disks were blue and then I reassigned the discs in the correct order omitting the two disks I did not want. The discs are showing up as valid and not Unformatted.

Shall I start the array and do a parity check and let the errors come out?

Yes I clicked New Config. Then Apply. The disks were blue and then I reassigned the discs in the correct order omitting the two disks I did not want. The discs are showing up as valid and not Unformatted.

Shall I start the array and do a parity check and let the errors come out?

 

What do you mean by partioned?

I am idiot. I know what I did wrong. After the APPLY procedure you have to go back to the main screen to reassign the drives. Once reassigned you have the option to click START. However under the START there is a tick box called PARITY ALREADY VALID. This I clicked on. I am so bloody stupid as parity is not valid!!!

 

I re-did the New Config and reassigned the disks and then I didn't click on the PARITY ALREADY VALID box. And now parity is rebuilding.

 

The problem is does the parity errors cause the data on the disks to be changed??? Or am I lucky?? Has the damaged already been done???

You should be fine,  parity errors are just incorrect data on the parity disk,  data on the actual disks are not modified.

 

This thread explains how parity works pretty well :-

 

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=2005

 

Should hopefully ease your mind

Not entirely sure, since I've not done it on your version of unRAID, but I thought you would assign the drives (un-assigning the one you do not wish included) and THEN click the New-Config.

 

That should turn all the disks blue.

 

Then start the array.

 

Joe L.

I am idiot. I know what I did wrong. After the APPLY procedure you have to go back to the main screen to reassign the drives. Once reassigned you have the option to click START. However under the START there is a tick box called PARITY ALREADY VALID. This I clicked on. I am so bloody stupid as parity is not valid!!!

 

I re-did the New Config and reassigned the disks and then I didn't click on the PARITY ALREADY VALID box. And now parity is rebuilding.

I've never even heard of the "PARITY ALREADY VALID" checkbox...  You are more experienced in this than me.  :'(  (It must be a recent addition to the "rc" versions)

The problem is does the parity errors cause the data on the disks to be changed??? Or am I lucky?? Has the damaged already been done???

Parity errors would not change data disks contents, they will update parity if not in a NOCORRECT mode.

Hi,

 

@Joe L. NOCORRECT mode is that a default mode or something you must set in a configuration file?  or is it an option that is set with in the web interface?

 

@pras1011 hows it going?

 

Sideband Samurai

Thanks all. I am quickly panicked about anything Unraid as I have 25TB of data that I fear I could lose!

 

Currently I am rebuilding parity and then I will start a parity check.

 

Below is an updated procedure for removing hdds.

 

 

1)Parity check to ensure everything is ok and take a print screen of the disk configuration

2) Click "Stop"

3) Unassign the hdds I want to remove

4) Goto Utils then New Config and then Apply.

5) Reassign hdds using the disk configuration print screen you took. (drives will have a blue ball)

6) Click Start and IGNORE tick box stating "PARITY ALREADY VALID"

7) Click on start parity sync. Let it complete

Click on Check parity.

At step 8 and currently no parity errors.

 

I have one final question. The two disks I removed from the disk configuration are still inside my server. Is it ok to remove them whilst the server is in parity check mode?

At step 8 and currently no parity errors.

 

I have one final question. The two disks I removed from the disk configuration are still inside my server. Is it ok to remove them whilst the server is in parity check mode?

Personally, I would wait, then stop the array, power down, then remove the drives.  (I know that many SATA drives and sata chipsets can be hot-plugged, but that does not mean they do not interfere with Linux's disk allocation of devices.      unRAID is hot-plug compatible ONLY when the array is stopped. )  Even if already un-plugged, you could short out something as you remove the drive if the array is still powered up.

 

Joe L.

Thought so. Thanks.