Just make sure I am understanding this right 

 

I am replacing most of my drives with new larger drives. Now since I have data on them the best way (maybe only way) to do this is one at a time, right.

I replaced a few already by:

 

running a parity check

stopping the array

unassiging the drive I want to replace.

shut down the server

replace the drive

turn on the server

click the checkbox next to start and click start

wait for it to rebuild

 

I know this will take a while since I have to wait atleast 2 hours for the rebuild each time...which is fine with me. I just want to make sure I am doing it right and the most efficient way. It's alot of powering up and down of the server...I don't want to hurt anything.

 

Thanks,

Scott

the best way (maybe only way) to do this is one at a time, right.

 

Right.

 

If you have extra SATA ports and physical drive slots, it might be possible to avoid some of the reboots by installing batches of drives, but only assigning and rebuilding one at a time, then stopping the array each time and adjusting the assignments for the next rebuild.  But it would be safer to reboot each time.

If there is room in the server, I would shut down, and add all all the new drives to the server first.  Then:

 

1) boot and add all the new drives to the array.  Let them clear and the array stabilize.

2) copy data from old drives to new.

3) delete old drives from array.

4) let parity recalc cleanly.

5) shut down, remove old drives, and reboot.

 

This means the least downtime, and least risk to a two-drive drive failure since there is no rebuilding.

Thanks for the replies but I have no space left...physical or open ports.

 

So I guess the method I am using is ok, right??

 

Thanks,

Scott