Another idea :

 

what if, whenever a new disk is placed, it gets it's install-date logged.

 

When a harddisk gets replaced by a probably bigger and faster model, unraid should rebuild and check which is the smallest and oldest drive in the chain and move it's data to the newer and bigger drive to fill up the extra space. Marking the oldest drive as a risk with it's age. You could use another color for dangerous levels 

 

Better to prevent then fail.

 

 

what if, whenever a new disk is placed, it gets it's install-date logged.

 

This is a good idea, although it would have to be editable, to allow input of the date for all of the existing unRAID drives.  There was related discussion somewhere else, in connection with logging SMART reports for each drive, especially the first one on installation, and subsequent scheduled SMART reports, and SMART test results.  It would also be nice to have a place for original purchase date, as well as user notes for each drive.  I also think it would be nice to see a log entry for each parity check and parity build, as it could possibly be useful to know the last time every sector of a drive was accessed.

 

Sounds like a good idea for an unmenu plugin!  Call it Drive Logs.  On first run, it would create an appropriate folder, and the initial logs for each drive, named for the model and serial number of each.  It could automatically log each of the SMART reports and tests, and other 'loggable' entries, as well as allowing entry and editing of purchase and install dates, and user notes.  And of course, display the log(s), with a link to download each.

 

At some point, if Tom is interested, it would be good to have unRAID itself also log important items, especially drive errors and failures.

 

When a harddisk gets replaced by a probably bigger and faster model, unraid should rebuild and check which is the smallest and oldest drive in the chain and move it's data to the newer and bigger drive to fill up the extra space. Marking the oldest drive as a risk with it's age. You could use another color for dangerous levels

 

I'm not in favor of this one.  I would much prefer to manage that myself, and decide what drives are replaced.  Users are generally going to have a much better idea than unRAID as to what drives are most in danger, and in need of replacing, especially if they have a drive log.  Age is only one factor, and not as important as the drive SMART parameters.