So I need more server space

[TheNinja]

So I only have 120GB on my data drive for a RAID 5 NT server. I am going to buy 6 new drives. I will just swap a new drive in every day and let them automatically handle the data. Now my question is, when this is done is it worth trying to expand the volume of the 120GB with another 120GB or should I just create a new volume? I think it will take a LONG time to expand it.

Also, is what I'm suggesting to do with just breaking the RAID, and swapping in larger drives 1 by 1 such a good idea?

 

[TheNinja]

anyone?

 

[JDMnAR1]

Personally, I would just do a full backup of your data drive and start from scratch. Install your six new drives, create your container and restore from backup. I don't think that your approach of replacing one drive at a time with a larger drive will accomplish what you hope it will. By definition, the drives in your RAID 5 array all have the same capacity. Any drives that you swap into the existing array will be treated as the same capacity (if your controller will even allow you to swap in a larger drive), so you won't gain any storage space.

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
Personally, I would just do a full backup of your data drive and start from scratch. Install your six new drives, create your container and restore from backup. I don't think that your approach of replacing one drive at a time with a larger drive will accomplish what you hope it will. By definition, the drives in your RAID 5 array all have the same capacity. Any drives that you swap into the existing array will be treated as the same capacity (if your controller will even allow you to swap in a larger drive), so you won't gain any storage space.

That sounds like a good plan too. I'll have to decide.

 

[TheNinja]

any night crew members smart and bored?

 

[RebateMonger]

As noted above, simply replacing current array members with larger drives won't increase the size of the array. All drives in an array must be the same size. Any extra space on a drive is not used in the array.

In order to expand the array's use of the new, larger, drives, you'll either have to create a new array or find a way to dynamically increase the size of the array elements. I believe that SOME RAID cards can do this. There are probably also 3rd-party applications that can do this.

Personally, I'd just back up the array, create a new array using the new drives, and restore my data to it.