I added a new parity disk and followed these steps as per wiki:

    Stop the array.

    Power down the server.

    Install your new hard drive(s).

    Power up the unit.

    Start the array.

I have done this many times with ver 4.7, but the problem I am having with ver 5.11 is that I get no option to format the new disk as I did with ver. 4.7. Does clicking on the Sync button start the format process in ver 5.11. I need to know what I am doing wrong. I did a search but after about 15 minutes of failures I gave up

 

Thanks, Jerry

Doesn't it say on the main screen that a new parity disc is detected and pressing the start button will start a parity sync? That is all that needs to be done.

 

 

as far as i know, the parity drive itself isn't "formatted" in the normal sence since its just a bunch of bits based on calculations of the rest.

Thanks for you quick response.

 

I don't remember if the user interface indicated "no device" or, that a new parity disk was detected. However, I did select the new disk and expected to see the format disk option. 

 

With that history, all I am seeing now is that the array is started and the parity is invalid. The parity ball is orange color. How do I get beyond this point?

 

I don't want to do a parity sync without the assurance the disk has been formatted and cleared

As already stated, the parity disk is not formatted or cleared. It doesn't have a file system.

 

You should probably run preclear on it though if you haven't already just to make sure it is OK before you try to use it.

The parity disk does not get formatted or cleared. It gets a partition created on it automatically when you start the array. Then, pressing the sync button will write raw parity data onto it as it builds the parity.

Thank all of you who responded to my question. The answers have given me the confidence to click the "Sync" button, and in about 10 hours I should get the wife off of my back (she needs to work on her photos).

 

I learned something new today. Thanks, again