=== Start long story ===

I am currently running the free version of unRAID (2 data + 1 parity).

I am considering setting up another unRAID server using the free version.

Reason being that I don't need that much storage at the moment and I would like to mirror one more copy of my important data on another unRAID server.

=== End long story ===

 

So the question is if I move to the paid version of unRAID subsequently, is there any way to combine the 2 servers?

 

I am wondering if I can remove the data drives from one of the server and put it in the other.

How would unRAID deal with a data drive from another server?

I know at the minimum I would need to recalculate parity but will unRAID accept the drives in the first place?

Or is the option available only to format the newly added drives for use regardless that it is a valid data drive from another unRAID system.

 

The typical scenario is that a drive may be removed permanently, so you click restore and parity is generated based on the new config.

Can it also apply to a data drive added from another unRAID system, i.e. click restore and new parity calculated?

 

=== Start long story ===

I am currently running the free version of unRAID (2 data + 1 parity).

I am considering setting up another unRAID server using the free version.

Reason being that I don't need that much storage at the moment and I would like to mirror one more copy of my important data on another unRAID server.

=== End long story ===

 

So the question is if I move to the paid version of unRAID subsequently, is there any way to combine the 2 servers?

Yes.  install and assign the disks in the same array, press "Start"  (or if it complains of too many missing or incorrect disks, press "Restore" to calculate parity)

I am wondering if I can remove the data drives from one of the server and put it in the other.

It will need to re-calculate parity, but then, it will work as usual.

How would unRAID deal with a data drive from another server?

It will work just fine.

I know at the minimum I would need to recalculate parity but will unRAID accept the drives in the first place?

Or is the option available only to format the newly added drives for use regardless that it is a valid data drive from another unRAID system.

If they are from another unRAID server, they will not be re-formatted.

The typical scenario is that a drive may be removed permanently, so you click restore and parity is generated based on the new config.

Can it also apply to a data drive added from another unRAID system, i.e. click restore and new parity calculated?

Add drive from other array, assign drive on devices page, press "Start".      You normally do not need to use "restore" unless removing a drive from an array, or when assigning existing drives to new hardware.  "restore" deletes the config/super.dat file, forces a new disk configuration to be stored in the config/super.dat by creating a new one based on the currently assigned and working drives, then starts a full parity calculation. 

Sounds great Joe.

 

Will probably do just that for the time being and get the paid version of unRAID once I need it.

 

Thanks! 

 

This may not be necessary, but I think I would un-assign my parity drive first, then shut down, install the drives, boot and assign them all, then make sure the array starts correctly, then re-assign the parity drive and let it rebuild parity.  But Joe may be right, and you can add the drives, assign them, and press "Start", and parity will be rebuilt.

This may not be necessary, but I think I would un-assign my parity drive first, then shut down, install the drives, boot and assign them all, then make sure the array starts correctly, then re-assign the parity drive and let it rebuild parity.  But Joe may be right, and you can add the drives, assign them, and press "Start", and parity will be rebuilt.

Un-assigning parity is EXACTLY the same as having the parity drive fail... You array will be in a degraded state...  If you want to go through your process you will not be able to start the array if you add drives without pressing "restore" to save an entirely new config without parity.