I'm currently messing around with unRAID to fully understand it's operational aspects and in the process breaking things. I'm preclearing disks every time I want to start with a new config while discarding any data on the disks. However, preclearing takes a while.

 

Is there a quick way to format cache, data and parity disk to start all over quickly?

I'm currently messing around with unRAID to fully understand it's operational aspects and in the process breaking things. I'm preclearing disks every time I want to start with a new config while discarding any data on the disks. However, preclearing takes a while.

 

Is there a quick way to format cache, data and parity disk to start all over quickly?

1st, parity doesn't ever have a format, so no need to do anything to a disk that you want to use for parity besides assign it to the parity slot when you do a new config.

 

2nd, there is no need to do a new config (and build parity all over again) if all you want to do is format the data disks. When the array is stopped, you can click on the disk you want to change in the main GUI, and change the file system type to a different format. Start the array, select the option to format the disk, allow it to finish, stop the array, go back to the same disk setting, and select the file system type you want back again. This time when you start the array and format the disk, you can just start using it right away. Parity stays valid during this whole procedure.

 

Quick recap. Change disk format to something else, format disk, change back to format you want, format disk again, use newly empty disk. Cache works the same way, just need to stop the array before making changes to desired file system type.

And you don't have to run a full pre-clear cycle (which probably is why it takes a very long time). You can select just the zeroing task.

I'm currently messing around with unRAID to fully understand it's operational aspects and in the process breaking things. I'm preclearing disks every time I want to start with a new config while discarding any data on the disks. However, preclearing takes a while.

 

Is there a quick way to format cache, data and parity disk to start all over quickly?

1st, parity doesn't ever have a format, so no need to do anything to a disk that you want to use for parity besides assign it to the parity slot when you do a new config.

 

2nd, there is no need to do a new config (and build parity all over again) if all you want to do is format the data disks. When the array is stopped, you can click on the disk you want to change in the main GUI, and change the file system type to a different format. Start the array, select the option to format the disk, allow it to finish, stop the array, go back to the same disk setting, and select the file system type you want back again. This time when you start the array and format the disk, you can just start using it right away. Parity stays valid during this whole procedure.

 

Quick recap. Change disk format to something else, format disk, change back to format you want, format disk again, use newly empty disk. Cache works the same way, just need to stop the array before making changes to desired file system type.

 

Ah! I see. Though I had come across this option in my searches, apparently it did not feel intuitive. Would this apply even when starting out with a new install of unRAID on flash?

 

And you don't have to run a full pre-clear cycle (which probably is why it takes a very long time). You can select just the zeroing task.

 

Any way to do this using the preclear GUI plugin by gfjardim?

In the drop down list, pick the zeroing option (can't remember the exact wording as not on my server at the moment).

And you don't have to run a full pre-clear cycle (which probably is why it takes a very long time). You can select just the zeroing task.

Removing and preclearing an existing array member will void parity, so if you do that you will need to rebuild parity. Preclearing is not necessary to format a disk in unraid.

In the drop down list, pick the zeroing option (can't remember the exact wording as not on my server at the moment).

 

Would it be the "Zero only the MBR" option? See attached screenshot.

 

And you don't have to run a full pre-clear cycle (which probably is why it takes a very long time). You can select just the zeroing task.

Removing and preclearing an existing array member will void parity, so if you do that you will need to rebuild parity. Preclearing is not necessary to format a disk in unraid.

 

Makes sense when you want to preserve the parity. However, in my case I'm going destructive since it's just an experiment. BTW, would your initial answer be valid even when starting out with a new install of unRAID on flash?

Removing and preclearing an existing array member will void parity, so if you do that you will need to rebuild parity. Preclearing is not necessary to format a disk in unraid.

 

Agree. Just that the OP said "pre-clearing takes a while" so I just wanted to point out it can take a lot less time.

 

Personally, if I were to format a drive, I would choose to (zero) preclear, add it back via new config and rebuild parity.

I think the above process would allow the array to be available the whole way as IIRC, formating would render the array unavailable until it's done.

Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.

In the drop down list, pick the zeroing option (can't remember the exact wording as not on my server at the moment).

 

Would it be the "Zero only the MBR" option? See attached screenshot.

 

And you don't have to run a full pre-clear cycle (which probably is why it takes a very long time). You can select just the zeroing task.

Removing and preclearing an existing array member will void parity, so if you do that you will need to rebuild parity. Preclearing is not necessary to format a disk in unraid.

 

Makes sense when you want to preserve the parity. However, in my case I'm going destructive since it's just an experiment. BTW, would your initial answer be valid even when starting out with a new install of unRAID on flash?

Zeroing the MBR would indeed work with a new install to ensure the disks would successfully be formatted to the selection made in the GUI.

in my case I'm going destructive since it's just an experiment.

Since you are currently playing, I'd recommend googling how unraid parity works, and try some disk rebuilding experiments also. Knowing how it works and why certain procedures are necessary will make a real disk failure much less stressful.

Since you are currently playing, I'd recommend googling how unraid parity works, and try some disk rebuilding experiments also. Knowing how it works and why certain procedures are necessary will make a real disk failure much less stressful.

 

That's a good point. I should try that too. Would certainly make things simpler if disastor strikes.

 

Thanks for your help guys. Loving the support here at unRAID forum!