I am new to unRaid. I just installed it and got it up and running with most my drives so far.

 

My question is this: I was running windows 10 on the computer before changing to unraid. I have 7 USB hard drives that I backed up all my data to and I really don't want to have to transfer over 30 tb of data over my network at 11mbps. I will if I have too, but I just wanted to ask if there is a way to transfer it from the usb drives to the shared folders straight hooked up to the drives? What is the easiest and fastest way to do it...   

 

Also, I'm wanting to hook up all the external drives to a powered USB 3 hub (*see below for more) and possibly have it keep everything backed up on those drives, sorta like I did with windows (sync software). That way if the system goes down, I still have access to the data without any complicated rebuilding process. 

 

Last quick question. I don't see a way to add drives after I've built the array. Am I overlooking something? Can I add a drive if a folder starts getting too full? I was hoping unraid would be sorta like Drivebender or Stablebit in windows, where I could add a drive if I start running out of room. 

 

* I'm thinking about adding a USB3.0 controller to the computer instead of a hub, which would be better???  Would Unraid see the Controller, or just leave it with a hub?

 

I'm posting a photo of my Server (my so called server). I know it's a mess, but I am just trying to get everything finished before cleaning it up and closing the doors. Yes I know it's not a real server, but I built it with stuff I had and parts. Also, I am running three controllers for now. I am hoping to switch to a SAS later when I get the money..   

 

Thanks in advance for any help..   I know it's more than one question, But I really want to figure this out and I would love for it to work out like I hope..  Thanks in advance..  Mel..  

6 minutes ago, Melocco said:

What is the easiest and fastest way to do it...

Install the Unassigned Devices Plugin, and install the Krusader or Dolphin docker application.  UD will mount the drive(s), and you can transfer via Dolphin / Krusader in a "windows type" environment avoiding the network altogether

 

8 minutes ago, Melocco said:

I don't see a way to add drives after I've built the array. Am I overlooking something? Can I add a drive if a folder starts getting too full?

Stop the array, and assign the new drive to an empty "slot" in the GUI.  If the drive is not "precleared", then unRaid will clear it for you (process takes hours depending upon the size of the drive)  Once that's done, the extra space is available for you to use.

Thanks. I'll try that tomorrow. 

 

What about backing up folders with a sync or something similar? Will that docker you told me about do that? I'm sorry I'm not up on this software yet. Hopefully soon. Thanks again for your help. 

lots of other apps.  Something like Duplicati as an example.  You'd have to explore the "Apps" tab on unRaid

Thanks. I just wanted to ask because I'm kinda scared to try to many things because I don't want to lose what I have. That's why I'm asking the best ones to start with, at least so I can have everything backed up. I was just wanting to know others opinion on where to start. 

Best things about docker applications is that you can specify which shares they have RW (or Read Only) access to.  IE: Give them RO access to your actual files, and RW access to the backup.