March 19, 201412 yr Is it possible to do this? I really do not want to bring the array down for 3 days to add another drive.
March 19, 201412 yr YES!!! run the preclear utility. See this thread for details: http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=2817.0
March 19, 201412 yr Is it possible to do this? I really do not want to bring the array down for 3 days to add another drive. As long as this is a new drive and not a replacement for an existing one then there is no problem. If this is a new drive it should show up when you run preclear_disk -l with the array already running.
March 19, 201412 yr Author If I was replacing a drive then what would need to happen? It will basically just rebuild correct? In this case it is a new drive in a new location not replacing a bad drive in the array.
March 19, 201412 yr If I was replacing a drive then what would need to happen? It will basically just rebuild correct? In this case it is a new drive in a new location not replacing a bad drive in the array. You can rebuild a drive without testing the replacement first, but it is probably not advisable without doing a pre-clear on the new drive as a confidence check. If you have no free slots you have to decide between taking the risk of not testing; having the array down while you pre-clear; finding some other way to attach the drive; or doing the pre-clear on another system.
March 19, 201412 yr Preclearing does a lot more then just prepare a drive to be added into the array. It also serves to test stress test the drive to get it by the period when it is most likely to fail in its early life. (This is called 'infant morality' and googling that and 'bathtub curve' will provide you with lots to read.) Installing a drive and having it fail within the first couple of weeks is not a pleasant experience! I don't believe you will find any expert on this site that will recommend adding any NEW drive to any array without first preclearing it!
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