I'm running V5.0.5, and my current parity drive is a 2Tb

I'm planning to upgrade, and reuse that one as a data drive

Which 4Tb would you recommend for the new parity drive? A reliable drive but still at a decent price?

Thanks

I run three microservers. Each has a 4TB Seagate ST4000VN000 nas drive. No probs at all.

 

Current deals section has two 4TB options (one expired).

 

Hitachi http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=46443.0

 

Seagate http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=46489.0

 

The Hitachi is cheaper and I would go with that.

Too bad, the Hitachi is only in-store pickup, and I live in Michigan !!!

I'd go with a 4TB WD Red => on sale today & tomorrow at Newegg for $139.99

 

 

I see it at $159.99.......!

I see it at $159.99.......!

 

See here:  http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=46584.0

 

... or just use Promo Code EMCEGFH22

 

Not sure if you have to be subscribed to their e-mail list to be eligible for the promo codes or not ... but it's trivial to sign up for it.

 

Note this price is only good until 11:59PM Pacific Time on Sunday, 14 Feb (today as I post this)

 

Found it...thanks

To replace my parity drive, do I just remove the current disk, install the new one and Unraid will automatically rebuild the parity? How long does it usually take?

Do I need to pre-clear the new drive before installing it?

Yes, you simply Stop the array; unassign the parity drive; Start the array so it's shown as "missing";  Stop the array again and assign the new parity drive;  then Start it and it will do a new parity sync.    How long it takes depends  on several factors -- the speed of your other disks; the controller(s) you're using; etc. ... but for 4TB it will take quite a few hours ... I'd estimate between 8 and 12 hours.

 

Pre-clearing the disk isn't necessary for a parity disk, but you may want to do it anyway as a test of the disk, so ensure there aren't any infant mortality problems with your new disk.    If you have a Windows PC with a spare SATA port, you could test it with WD's Data Lifeguard instead of the pre-clear script -- I do this with new disks  [i run a quick test; then an extended test; then a full write zeroes; and then repeat the first two tests.].    But a cycle or two of pre-clear would be a good test as well.    Again, these aren't "necessary" -- they're not going to have any impact on how long it takes to do your parity upgrade -- you're simply testing the disk before you use it.

 

I did my "homework" and read the pre-clear process with screen (already installed) and putty (explanation on wikipedia)

I haven't ordered the WD Red drive yet, but will see if I go with preclear from the server or the WD tool from my windows computer

Once unassigned, do I have to start the array again to verify it shows as missing? Is it an important step?

Thanks

I did my "homework" and read the pre-clear process with screen (already installed) and putty (explanation on wikipedia)

I haven't ordered the WD Red drive yet, but will see if I go with preclear from the server or the WD tool from my windows computer

Once unassigned, do I have to start the array again to verify it shows as missing? Is it an important step?

Thanks

 

Don't forget the price on the WD Red is only good for a few more hours -- until 11:59 Pacific time today (about 7 hours from now).

 

Is this a real good deal?

It's certainly a good price for a 4TB WD Red ... I don't think I've seem them for less.

 

If your goal is to get the absolutely lowest price/TB possible, you'll have to go with a different model drive.  But if you want a quality drive with a good warranty that's designed for NAS use, the WD Reds are hard to beat.    They're pretty much the only thing I buy these days => and I paid in the neighborhood of $180 each for most of my 4TB units ... although I did buy a few more a couple months ago when they were on sale for $145 each.

 

Yes, you simply Stop the array; unassign the parity drive; Start the array so it's shown as "missing";  Stop the array again and assign the new parity drive;  then Start it and it will do a new parity sync.    How long it takes depends  on several factors -- the speed of your other disks; the controller(s) you're using; etc. ... but for 4TB it will take quite a few hours ... I'd estimate between 8 and 12 hours.

 

Pre-clearing the disk isn't necessary for a parity disk, but you may want to do it anyway as a test of the disk, so ensure there aren't any infant mortality problems with your new disk.    If you have a Windows PC with a spare SATA port, you could test it with WD's Data Lifeguard instead of the pre-clear script -- I do this with new disks  [i run a quick test; then an extended test; then a full write zeroes; and then repeat the first two tests.].    But a cycle or two of pre-clear would be a good test as well.    Again, these aren't "necessary" -- they're not going to have any impact on how long it takes to do your parity upgrade -- you're simply testing the disk before you use it.

Is the server accessible when the parity drive is being rebuilt?

 

Yes, but it's best to not use it, as the process of generating parity uses ALL drives and any additional use will slow things down a good bit [unless you're only using the cache drive].