I have a running array (4.5) and would like to swap out the SATA controller cards (TX4's against SAT2-MV8). Is there any preferred method to save me rebuilding parity as it would be valid as I intend to gracefully stop down the array prior powering down. Which steps should I perform? Thanks much!

I have a running array (4.5) and would like to swap out the SATA controller cards (TX4's against SAT2-MV8). Is there any preferred method to save me rebuilding parity as it would be valid as I intend to gracefully stop down the array prior powering down. Which steps should I perform? Thanks much!

Make note of the slot assignments of all your drives.  (do Screen print of "Devices" assignment page.)

Stop the array

Power-down

Install new controller card and Re-cable to disks

Power up  ... Odds are high array will NOT start on its own since you are on new hardware... do not panic.

Go to disk assignment page and assign disks to proper slots in the array

Go back to main page

as long as all the drives are showing green, use the "Trust My Parity" process as described in the wiki.

http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=Make_unRAID_Trust_the_Parity_Drive,_Avoid_Rebuilding_Parity_Unnecessarily

 

Let the parity check complete.  (It is only a check, as you will not lose parity protection if all your disks are present and un-changed)

 

The parity check will exercise your new controller card and cabling.

 

Joe L.

Thanks, Joe! Just did it. Only two discs were swapped, array didn't come up, however it shows the discs in wront slots and also where they belong. Stopped again and powererd off, pulled and swapped the disks. After restart everything worked and was green again. Great!

Thanks, Joe! Just did it. Only two discs were swapped, array didn't come up, however it shows the discs in wront slots and also where they belong. Stopped again and powererd off, pulled and swapped the disks. After restart everything worked and was green again. Great!

You could have "swappped" them on the "devices" assignment page instead of swappnig the cables, but either method (physical or logical) would do.  Glad you are up and running.

 

It is really nice not to be tied to specific hardware... isn't it.  Remember to get a new screen-shot of the devices page for your records.

 

Joe L.

Physically swapping in terms of swapping hot-plug carries, nothing to do with cables and opening the case. Was easier then going to the devices page :-) Thanks again for all the details!

Remember to get a new screen-shot of the devices page for your records.

 

I actually have each disk labeled with the unRAID disk number and the S/N itself, readable on the disk carrier itself.

Finished parity calculation without errors.

I have a running array (4.5) and would like to swap out the SATA controller cards (TX4's against SAT2-MV8). Is there any preferred method to save me rebuilding parity as it would be valid as I intend to gracefully stop down the array prior powering down. Which steps should I perform? Thanks much!

 

Sorry if this is little off topic but, what was the reasoning for swapping out the card?  Have you noticed any difference with the new one? Does it plug into the same slot type as the TX4's?  Any problem updating?

 

I have two TX4's in my own machine, but would like another option as I couldn't find any locally in NZ.

I have a PCI-X 64bit 133Mhz capable mainboard and used theTX4's only temporarily as I was eager to get unRAID running. Parity check calc speed more than doubled with the new cards! PCI is shared bus architecture, where both PCI-X buses on my mainboard are separate. PCI-X is 1000GB/s each bus, where shared PCI is 133MB/s.

I have a PCI-X 64bit 133Mhz capable mainboard and used theTX4's only temporarily as I was eager to get unRAID running. Parity check calc speed more than doubled with the new cards! PCI is shared bus architecture, where both PCI-X buses on my mainboard are separate. PCI-X is 1000GB/s each bus, where shared PCI is 133MB/s.

Thx  - Appreciate the update.  I'd certainly like to get my parity speeds up - takes about 18hours.  As I don't have that type of MB, guess another option is the go.

Try using PCIe HBAs, eat least 2x or 4x PCIe or connect the Parity drive *straight* to your motherboard to the ICH bridge (it is separate from PCI bus).