Hi,

I have an array set up (without  a parity disk currently, that's fine, I'm aware of the risks etc. it's just that the parity disk is large and takes a while to preclear, plus copying data to the array is way quicker pre-parity). I have had it all up and running just fine for a while, however, yesterday I decided to attach a faulty disk via a USB dock to preclear it and force some sector reallocations before it's RMAd. Earlier, I stopped the array, only to find that now I can't start it again as I've gone over the limit of "attached devices". I understand that the license is about how many devices arr attached before the array starts but surely it's a little over the top to prevent additional devices that aren't part of the array from being attached, especially if it's a USB disk that I'm preclearing?

 

Effectively this means this - if you're at the device limit and you get a failing drive you want to replace, if you decide to attach a USB disk to pre clear it, whatever you do DON'T STOP THE ARRAY while it's pre clearing as it'll count as an attached device, preventing you from starting the array again until it's precleared.

 

FYI this is the only bad thing I've actually had to say about unRAID since installing it - I used to use unRAID before until a couple of years ago and I'd forgotten how much I loved it, very glad I came back. There have been a lot of noticeable improvements since I last used it.

Hi,

I have an array set up (without  a parity disk currently, that's fine, I'm aware of the risks etc. it's just that the parity disk is large and takes a while to preclear, plus copying data to the array is way quicker pre-parity). I have had it all up and running just fine for a while, however, yesterday I decided to attach a faulty disk via a USB dock to preclear it and force some sector reallocations before it's RMAd. Earlier, I stopped the array, only to find that now I can't start it again as I've gone over the limit of "attached devices". I understand that the license is about how many devices arr attached before the array starts but surely it's a little over the top to prevent additional devices that aren't part of the array from being attached, especially if it's a USB disk that I'm preclearing?

 

Effectively this means this - if you're at the device limit and you get a failing drive you want to replace, if you decide to attach a USB disk to pre clear it, whatever you do DON'T STOP THE ARRAY while it's pre clearing as it'll count as an attached device, preventing you from starting the array again until it's precleared.

 

FYI this is the only bad thing I've actually had to say about unRAID since installing it - I used to use unRAID before until a couple of years ago and I'd forgotten how much I loved it, very glad I came back. There have been a lot of noticeable improvements since I last used it.

The license counts attached devices regardless of whether they are assigned to unRAID use or not.  Since USB disks are now allowed to be part of the array these are counted as well.

 

You do not mention which license you are using?    Just checking as with the latest 6.2 rc5 release the trial license attached devices limit has been removed (although the time limit still applies).

 

However, you are correct in that if you are at the limit allowed by the license you have then you can encounter this problem.

I have a basic license so 6 devices. I understand why it's happened it just seemed a bit silly to me that something like an external USB drive is limited by your license. I didn't realise that USB disks were allowed to be part of the array so that makes a little more sense, but the fact is, while the device was present, it wasn't set to be part of the array or a cache drive, it was just connected to my system (and preclearing but not doing anything array-ey).

 

It was a bit alarming when I stopped the array only to find I couldn't restart it! In the end I just stopped the preclear, disconnected the USB disk, and started the array again. I imagine this is a bigger problem for people who have a 6 drive array (or 5 drive array and a cache disk) then have a failing disk as they can't preclear a disk at all if they want to start their array.