Guys

 

Ok, my server has been running great.  One of the drives, however, is running hot relative to the others.  No problems with it, but the temps are always 40+ versus high 20s low 30s for the other drives.  Anyway, I would like to move the data from this drive (driive2) to another drive I just added (drive8).  I then want to pull drive2 rom the array (will put it in my workstation) and add a cache drive where drive2 currently sits in my server.  Is this possible?  If so, any tips on recommended procedure?

 

Thanks guys!  This community makes unRAID unbeatable!!

 

-Jim

Move the data from disk2 to disk8 whatever way you prefer... you can use windows-explorer, or "mc" via telnet, or even the linux "cp" or "mv" commands. 

 

Then, stop the array, power down, disconnect drive2, add in whatever drive you want to use as a cache drive in its place

Power up, go to the "Devices" page to un-assign drive2, and assign the new cache drive to the cache slot in the array...  You might leave the assignment of the cache drive till later, this will make things less complicated for the next step since after parity is re-calcualted, you can stop the array once more and assign the cache drive to the cache slot... it is very easy if you already have it in place and cabled.

 

You can leave disk2 un-assigned... or assign the physical disk that was on disk8 to that slot and leave disk8 un-assigned. (your choice, really does not matter)

 

Then, go back to the main page, check the ckeckbox under "Restore" and press it.  It will immediately throw away the old parity calculations and start about re-calculating parity on the remaining drives in your array.  Since you are removing a drive from the array you must use the "Restore" button.  Note, it does not restore data, but an initial configuration is set based on the existing/working/assigned drives.  It forces a full parity calculation since it immediately invalidates the old calculations..  The "Restore" button must be used when you remove a drive from the array and do not intend to use parity to rebuild one in the same slot.

 

If you did not assign the cache drive earlier, after parity is calculated, you can stop the array, assign the cache drive, and re-start it.

 

Joe L.

Guys

 

Ok, my server has been running great.  One of the drives, however, is running hot relative to the others.  No problems with it, but the temps are always 40+ versus high 20s low 30s for the other drives.  Anyway, I would like to move the data from this drive (driive2) to another drive I just added (drive8).  I then want to pull drive2 rom the array (will put it in my workstation) and add a cache drive where drive2 currently sits in my server.  Is this possible?  If so, any tips on recommended procedure?

 

Thanks guys!  This community makes unRAID unbeatable!!

 

-Jim

 

I am a little confused.

 

Do you want to remove the disk because it is running hot?  Couldn't you move the drive or add cooling and keep it in your array?

 

Anytime you remove a disk from your array you are opening yourself up to the chance of an unrecoverable drive failure event until parity is recomputed - a lengthy and intensive task resulting in every sector on every drive being read.  I tend to avoid dropping parity whenever possible, unless I want to take a disk out of my array for a good reason (like it is failing or I need to upsize it).  High heat doesn't seem like a good reason - as there are ways to increase cooling.  BTW, drives tend to get quite hot on the bottom.  If the disk is in a position where airflow on the top is better than on the bottom, you may find that by flipping the drive upside down that you get better cooling.  I actually have an external drive enclosure that mounts disks unside down.  Otherwise moving it to a better location or adding / adjusting a fan to get some airflow on that drive will probably do the trick!

Guys

 

Just a little update.  Joe, your instructions worked perfectly!  Did exactly as you said and everything is working.  bjp999, I had the extra drives and I figured I would go with the coolest running setup I could get.  In terms of my case setup, I think its in good shape with location not seeming to matter for the different drives in terms of their respective temperatures. In my experience, the WD Caviar Black drives are the warmest running, followed by the WD Green drives, and then the Samsung F1s.

 

Thanks again for the help!!

Jim