When I start up my unRAID server for the first time, will all the disks I assign to storage/parity/cache automatically get precleared, when I assign them and start the array, or do I need to do that beforehand?

 

In other words, on a brand new unRAID system, can I just pop in 4-drives and an SSD, assign 3 to storage, 1 to parity and the SSD to cache, start the array and let it do its thing?

 

 

When I start up my unRAID server for the first time, will all the disks I assign to storage/parity/cache automatically get precleared, when I assign them and start the array, or do I need to do that beforehand?

 

No they won't. No, you don't need to pre-clear them beforehand.

 

In other words, on a brand new unRAID system, can I just pop in 4-drives and an SSD, assign 3 to storage, 1 to parity and the SSD to cache, start the array and let it do its thing?

 

Yes you can. However, you might want to test your drives thoroughly first. There are various ways of doing this, including running the tools provided by the hard disk manufacturers. Many people subject each disk to one or more cycles of pre-clear just to give them a thorough workout before committing their data to them.

Good to know. Does unRAID provide a means of preclearing disks?

 

Not built in, but you can use a command line script, or install a plugin that uses the script, or install a beta plugin that includes its own pre-clear routines. Which is best for you depends on which version of unRAID you are using. They all work with version 6.1.9, but the script needs patching to work with 6.2. The beta plugin works with both but you may not like its beta status.