CPressland Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Hey Guys, I've got a Server with a 6TB RAID5 MDADM Software-RAID Array (4 x 2TB) of which I need to move away from Ubuntu Server and move to Windows Server 2008 R2. Is there any way I can migrate this Software array from Ubuntu to Windows Server without completely trashing the array? I can use GParted to convert the RAIDed partition to NTFS but I have a feeling that won't do a thing. Anyone have any hints, tips etc on how to achieve this? Thanks in Advance, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
articuno1au Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 I'm inclined to say backup and recreate.. Definitely a pain but the most likely way to get everything done with the least of pain.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPressland Posted November 1, 2011 Author Share Posted November 1, 2011 Yeah, that was obviously my original plan, but a 6TB NAS is going to set me back an additional ?300 at least. Theres gotta be another solution, even if it's a slow process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoraptor Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 even if there is (which i strongly doubt) there is strong chance of losing your data, so you'll have to backup, which brings us to what @articuno1au said. I would check how much is actually filled, see what is compressable, get couple of drives and rsync BTW are you using mdamd ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPressland Posted November 1, 2011 Author Share Posted November 1, 2011 BTW are you using mdamd ? I've got a Server with a 6TB RAID5 MDADM Software-RAID Array Backup over USB will take a CRAZY amount of time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybertimber2008 Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Backup over USB will take a CRAZY amount of time! Yea. Probably just need go to the "lose it" route. Takes about 1 mistake to say goodbye to it. It's faster though.But if you're worried about USB 2.0, there are "Fantom drives" (external hard drive) that use USB 3.0. We use them were I work for system recovery. Anyway... Your problem is that it's a software array. As soon as you wipe out ubuntu, it's goodbye little bits. Now, you might be able to set up a Windows Server 2008 R2 VM on your ubuntu box, and then map a drive to the ubuntu storage leaving everything intact, but it's way less than an ideal solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPressland Posted November 1, 2011 Author Share Posted November 1, 2011 Yea. Probably just need go to the "lose it" route. Takes about 1 mistake to say goodbye to it. It's faster though. But if you're worried about USB 2.0, there are "Fantom drives" (external hard drive) that use USB 3.0. We use them were I work for system recovery. Anyway... The Server only has USB 2.0, no USB 3.0 Support. Hence NAS was the only Speedy Solution. Your problem is that it's a software array. As soon as you wipe out ubuntu, it's goodbye little bits. Now, you might be able to set up a Windows Server 2008 R2 VM on your ubuntu box, and then map a drive to the ubuntu storage leaving everything intact, but it's way less than an ideal solution. Yeah, unfortunately the SATA Controller doesn't have a fully functional RAID Component and only supports RAID1 or RAID0. So I used a SoftRAID on 'Buntu Server to achieve what I was looking for at the time. But Windows Server just seams the more stable solution now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted November 1, 2011 MVC Share Posted November 1, 2011 yeah as mentioned there is no safe way other than copy the data. You either need to bring up your new system and copy the data over, or if you need the same hardware your using now, your going to have to backup the data be it to nas/usb/cloud/something before you redo the orig system and then copy the data back. Here is the one thing I never understand with these questions -- where is your current backup??? So you have 6TB of data, which I assume you don't want to loose -- but you have no current backup??? edit: I missed this statement before "But Windows Server just seams the more stable solution now." How is that?? What is it this server does? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
articuno1au Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 I always wonder this as well until I remember I am doing the exact same thing.. Sometimes the data just isn't that critical. As mentioned previously, Backup and recreate, the other ways just aren't worth the risk >.< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPressland Posted November 1, 2011 Author Share Posted November 1, 2011 Here is the one thing I never understand with these questions -- where is your current backup??? So you have 6TB of data, which I assume you don't want to loose -- but you have no current backup??? If the Data was lost, it'd be a major pain in the backside, but realistically it wouldn't be a huge loss, everything there is recoverable over time and I suppose I can backup at least 3TB of it to existing disks. I was considering doing a backup to Amazon S3, but after calculating the price, I think not. "But Windows Server just seams the more stable solution now." How is that?? What is it this server does? I recently installed an Update which required me to recompile the MDADM software, which caused the array to be down for around 24 hours. Win Server just won't have that issue with a Software Array. I always wonder this as well until I remember I am doing the exact same thing.. Sometimes the data just isn't that critical. As mentioned previously, Backup and recreate, the other ways just aren't worth the risk >.< Well it does look as though this is my only option. So I'll copy off what I can and dump the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoraptor Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 I recently installed an Update which required me to recompile the MDADM software, which caused the array to be down for around 24 hours. Win Server just won't have that issue with a Software Array. Yep, the marketing team says that win server is rock solid and never updates. One more thing you need to include is a cloud storage using webservices and SSL - this is the best way to use web 3.0 multi-tier applications. Do you get the sarcasm ^? Any software raid under any operating system will take many hours to rebuild. I'm guessing you are using a TLS ubuntu server release and reading updates info before applying them (also haven't checked for unsupported and pre-release updates). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPressland Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Of course any SoftRAID will take hours to rebuild but it shouldn't need to rebuild unless a physical drive has actually changed or a major system event has occurred. Secondly, sure Windows Server is likely just as problematic as Ubuntu Server, but I'd rather use a Commercially Maintained Product this time around then the MDADM Open-Source Implementation. And yes I'm running an LTS version of Ubuntu, 10.04, which otherwise would have been upgraded next year to 12.04 LTS. Don't get me wrong here, I love Ubuntu Server, but I don't trust it in a FileStorage capacity, it makes a great Web & MySQL Server, but I just feel happier with Windows Server in this instance, and the Services I'm currently using on this Ubuntu Server will be moved to a small HyperV VM running on the new install, Transmission-Daemon for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoraptor Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Why don't you consider getting a raid controller, this way you won't be using mdadm ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPressland Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Because the Server in question is a HP MicroServer that won't take a RAID Controller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted November 2, 2011 MVC Share Posted November 2, 2011 "HP MicroServer that won't take a RAID Controller. " Why is that - it looks like it has expansion slots to me. http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06a/15351-15351-4237916-4237918-4237917-4248009.html Expansion slots 1 half-height, half-length PCIe x16 Gen 21 half-height, half-length PCIe x1 Gen 2 So why can you not put in a raid controller into one of these slots? I would have to say the 410 should work?? http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13201_na/13201_na.html The HP Smart Array P410 is HP's PCI Express (PCIe) 2.0 Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) RAID controller. The low profile, half height card has 8 ports and utilizes DDR2-800 memory. The P410 is ideal for RAID 0, 1, 1+0, 5, 5+0 and can be upgraded with a minimum 256MB cache module, battery kit (for BBWC), Flash Backed Write Cache (FBWC), and Smart Array Advanced Pack license key for RAID 6 (ADG), & 6+0. here you go - this says it work just fine http://vbscriptblog.com/various/various-how-to-build-a-decent-low-power-vmware-esxi-server-based-on-the-hp-n36l-microserver-and-the-hp-p410-raid-controller/ How to build a decent low power vmware esxi server based on the hp n36l microserver and the hp p410 raid-controller I was uncertain if the RAID card would fit (the HP N36L case is very small). Luckily it did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPressland Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Well I'll be a <insert some profanity here>, Nice one Budman, that does look like an all-round very good solution. Fine, I'm going to take a 'noob' stance here, obviously Software RAID is dependant on the OS remaining Stable and Intact. What other advantages would I see from the Hardware RAID? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted November 2, 2011 MVC Share Posted November 2, 2011 "What other advantages would I see from the Hardware RAID? " Well biggest would be PERFORMANCE!!! The raid controller will do all the RAID magic, ie creating the parity, etc. Your Computer no longer as to do this extra work so performance is better! Most cards will also have onboard cache and battery backup - this makes for better performance with the cache, along with less likely hood of data corruption/loss on sudden loss of power. Hardware is ALWAYS better! Well depending on your budget and what exactly you using it for, don't get me wrong software can be a perfect fit. And works great most of the time!! Off the top rebuild is normally easier with hardware controller - plug in new drive and auto rebuilds, etc. Completely transparent to the OS accessing the data, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc302 Veteran Posted November 2, 2011 Veteran Share Posted November 2, 2011 speed, although may not be a factor now, the os needs to control and monitor it. where the hardware is the one that controls and monitors the raid set. hardware raid is independant of software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPressland Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Well, as usual, you've both given me a lot to think about. I think Long Term I will get a RAID Controller for this Server, but right now it's just not in the budget. so Win2K8R2 SoftRAID it is for now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted November 2, 2011 MVC Share Posted November 2, 2011 You do understand unlike with linux software raid, in windows software raid 5 your not going to be able to install the OS to the raid array. And everything I read about its raid 5 performance is pretty much horrific, so yeah performance could be a major factor?? From my understanding you want raid 5 yes?? If not your server has support for 0 and or 1 with its onboard raid controller already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoraptor Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 i would spend my cash on raid controller instead of ms server Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybertimber2008 Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 i would spend my cash on raid controller instead of ms server Yea wouldn't he get all the benifits with one purchase (RAID controller) vs 2 (Server + RAID controller)?His RAID array becomes independent of any Ubuntu updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPressland Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 You do understand unlike with linux software raid, in windows software raid 5 your not going to be able to install the OS to the raid array. And everything I read about its raid 5 performance is pretty much horrific, so yeah performance could be a major factor?? From my understanding you want raid 5 yes?? If not your server has support for 0 and or 1 with its onboard raid controller already. Yes, RAID0 or RAID1 aren't really all that much help to me, the OS is installed on a separate Hard Drive in the CD-ROM bay area of the Server Case. RAID 5 does feel slower under Windows Server, but then it's still Resynching so it might be a while before the array is ready to rock. i would spend my cash on raid controller instead of ms server Had a spare licence in the Office from an old Domain Controller, just used that. Yea wouldn't he get all the benifits with one purchase (RAID controller) vs 2 (Server + RAID controller)? His RAID array becomes independent of any Ubuntu updates. Well a Hardware RAID controller will be my next spend. But I'll likely build a new server when it comes to that with even larger hard drives, but this'll do for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPressland Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 I wonder how long this Sync is going to take.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted November 3, 2011 MVC Share Posted November 3, 2011 What I read is DAYS ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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