Upgrading RAID5: Destroy it or leave it as is and upgrade

[pes2013]

Finally readying to do the upgrade :)

Last question: On controller 1, I have my current RAID5. I have to the drives as physically I have no space to put the new HDDs. Should I go into the controller 1's BIOS and destory it or just leave it as is, remove the drives, put in the new ones plugged into controller 2 and make the new RAID5 on controller 2's BIOS?

Thanks

[+PeterUK MVC]

Since it does not matter, what do you think is the best option you will pick?

[pes2013]

Since it does not matter, what do you think is the best option you will pick?

There is a reason I asked Neowin :p

Personally, Id leave it alone; In theory if I remove the disks and replug them all in one day, the RAID5 would still work since it isnt missing any members. I just hope it doesnt nag about it.

So should I just remove the drives and thats it? I want to start the initialization of the new RAID5 as it takes time so please ASAP....

[Roger H. Veteran]

You don't have "Fast Initialize" on your controller? I'm doing an upgrade/switcharound today too and I did my initialize in less than 60 seconds :D

I would just plug in the new drives and build a new array since i'm guessing you aren't worried about data.

Also i'm switching away from RAID5 - how many drives are you using? :)

[pes2013]

I would just plug in the new drives and build a new array since i'm guessing you aren't worried about data.

Theres the problem: One of the drives of the new RAID5 contains ALL of the data of the old RAID5. I copied it. So I cant "initialize" it because it says it will erase all the data.

I also have another issue now: Since I put in the new RAID5 controller, now I cannot boot off my boot drive (on another controller). Doesnt give me the optioon.

Having said that, this is a issue Ive read so....

[+PeterUK MVC]

You knew them new drives you got were going in a RAID on this new RAID card of yours so why use one to put all you your data on it?

[pes2013]

You knew them new drives you got were going in a RAID on this new RAID card of yours so why use one to put all you your data on it?

...where else do I move it to?

[+PeterUK MVC]

You had a old RAID with your stuff on it before so why move it off to a new drive?

Ok so do you have three drives out of four not in use right? If so make a RAID 5 with three then move your data to the RAID 5 and then add the drive to your RAID 5 by expanding the array.

[pes2013]

You had a old RAID with your stuff on it before so why move it off to a new drive?

Ok so do you have three drives out of four not in use right? If so make a RAID 5 with three then move your data to the RAID 5 and then add the drive to your RAID 5 by expanding the array.

Lets see as I might have made a mistake or misunderstood you :)

I had a RAID5 (lets say) 200 GB x 4. About 600 GB

I bought 3 TB x 4. About 9 TB

I transfered all of the 600 GB to ONE of the 3 TB

What should I do now? Continue please :) As I didnt understand you correctly, sorry

[+PeterUK MVC]

Make a RAID 5 with the three 3TB drives move date from your one 3TB to the array and expand the array by adding your 3TB to it.

[pes2013]

Make a RAID 5 with the three 3TB drives move date from your one 3TB to the array and expand the array by adding your 3TB to it.

OK :) Now I understood you! :) Thanks for the tip.....

I still have that small boot error Id like to fix before actually doing this

[pes2013]

Make a RAID 5 with the three 3TB drives move date from your one 3TB to the array and expand the array by adding your 3TB to it.

I feel stupid asking this but I dont find this option anywhere....The only place is a "Spare Pool" but it doesnt relate it to my RAID5.....

[+PeterUK MVC]

Then it does not have that feature unlike the Intel RAID.

You go and get 4x3TB blank drives

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1110205-just-spent-58798-euros-to-upgrade-my-raid

You then want a RAID card to which I said you be much better off using the Intel RAID.

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1110259-recommend-a-raid5-pci-or-pci-e-card

You have booting problems because your old RAID was boot drive with your OS on another drive

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1113575-installed-raid-controller-cant-boot-off-other-controller/

You go and use one of them 4x3TB blank drives and move your date off your old RAID to it

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1113553-upgrading-raid5-destroy-it-or-leave-it-as-is-and-upgrade/

Your not making things easy with that last thing considering you intended to make a RAID with them 4x3TB blank drives from the start.