What do I do? Installing larger hdds into raid 1 computer.

[ingeborgdot]

How do I get a larger hdd into a raid 1 computer? On a computer with a 320gb hdd I want to make it to a 2tb hdd. It is in Raid 1 so do I just add a hdd and let it rebuild and then when that is done add the other 2tb hdd and let it rebuild thus now having a 2tb machine? I have never done this so can anyone help me out? Thanks.

 

[Blain]

"How do I get a larger hdd into a raid 1 computer? On a computer with a 320gb hdd I want to make it to a 2tb hdd."


You're running a PC with two 320GB HDs in a RAID 1 configuration and want to upgrade to two 2TB HDs in RAID 1, correct?

 

[Emulex]

pretty much. then grow the raid.

as always backup first. i've done this with 8 drive proliant systems.

it may take a while to level each drive of course.

you could just backup the raid to the single 2TB, then (intel matrix) convert non-raid to raid. that would work too.

 

[corkyg]

Been there - done that. As Emulex says, back up the current array to a single drive. Then shut down and replace the array drives with new ones. Rebuild the array (mirroring=RAID 1). Then proportionally clone or restore the backed up data to the new array. For backup, I regularly clone the RAID 1 array to an external USB drive. That can then be used to proportionally clone that same data to the new array. Not hard.

 

[Emulex]

if you do not have a good raid controller (battery/flash back write cache) - a good battery backup - and shutdown system - strongly recommend never doing raid migrations.

 

[ingeborgdot]

So let's see if I get this right. I clone the hdd to one drive. I then stick it into the old drives place and then add the other hdd and let the raid take over?

 

[Blain]

You're running a PC with two 320GB HDs in a RAID 1 configuration and want to upgrade to two 2TB HDs in RAID 1, correct?

Well?

 

[ingeborgdot]

Am I supposed to answer yes?

 

[Blain]

Am I supposed to answer yes?

If the statement is correct, you should reply with "yes".

You originally said...
"How do I get a larger hdd into a raid 1 computer? On a computer with a 320gb hdd I want to make it to a 2tb hdd."

That sentence sounds like you have a single 320GB HD and you want to move to a single 2TB HD.
But you're asking about a RAID 1 issue, which requires two drives per array.

I only asked you to confirm so that everyone reading this thread, trying to help you will have a clear understanding of your situation.