Adding more drives to a server

hargi

hargi

hargi

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Looking for some help and advice.
This isnt normally my thing but...
We have one 2008R2 server that does everything in the school DHCP, File shearing etc. but nothing to special. We have 2 disks in that are in a RAID config this was set up when it came however we are now running short on space, so we have bought 2 more disks to put in, in addition to the current ones.
I take it physically fitting them is same as doing it with a normal Desktop.

However how hard is it going to be to RAID them? How do i find out if its software or hardware RAID.

Then how difficult would it be to move some of the shared folders accross to the new drives and just leave the user profiles on the old ones.

Cheers
 
Chances are its a hardware RAID within the server on a RAID card. If this is the case then there is probably not a lot you are going to be able to add those new disks into the Array (depending on if its RAID5, 0, 1, 10, etc).

Check how the device is presented in disk manager and see if Window sees the disks separate and is RAIDING them using software or if it is presented as one disk. If no software RAID, usually when the machine boots there will be a "CTRL+R" for RAID Utility. Go into that as it boots and see what the systems has setup.

In this situation, I would add two new disks in a new RAID, if that is supported and add them to the server as a seperate RAID storage array. Then transfer things from the existing disks to the new plentiful area.

Thats probably the easiest way of doing it. If you are determined to have all disks in the same RAID there is a good chance you might have to blow it away and re-do it. I'm not sure on your setup other than that so can't be 100% sure.
 
If this is on a DC, then good luck. :D

Remember to have a full working backup of the server before doing any work. Don't want to be in your shoes if you accidentally delete the array and have to do a full restore.

Depending on the size of the school and budget, it might be worth considering a new server just for file storage?
 
"I take it physically fitting them is same as doing it with a normal Desktop. "

****possibly but it may need different slide rails

However how hard is it going to be to RAID them?

****raid - mirror you mean,,, depends on the software

How do i find out if its software or hardware RAID.

****disk manager on the server if the server thinks there is only 2 drive its hardware raid

Then how difficult would it be to move some of the shared folders accross to the new drives and just leave the user profiles on the old ones.

very easy, if you want to keep file permissions use robocopy (unless 2008 has a copy and keep permissions option which I doubt) then jsut unshare the old folder and share the new one - BEfore you start create the new folder on the new drive to be shared and set the permission before you copy the data!
 
oh and before you touch anythign get a backup, if IT is not your thing either get someone else to do it or make sure your manager is fully aware of you skills (or lack of) and make sure you are doing the work on a best efforts basis.. (so its their choice for you to do it rather than getting someone in) then if you break it technically its their fault...
 
Though Id ask in here again as im getting no where with tech support.

To do a full back up would you recommend acronis snap deploy 4 or Backup & Recovery 11.5 Server for Windows?
 
if your lacking skill / confidence you can stick the 2 drives in, and create a software raid in windows with them 2 disk, disk manager > convert to dynamic > raid 1> done then move file shares / exchange or what every you have
 
Can I be a bit contentious ? If the OP is not confident doing this then I would suggest getting someone who is to do the work.

Get it done properly and get a backup system in !
 
Without being rude, I'd +1 this also. If your not entirely sure about the process, there is potential for data loss.
 
#Chri5# said:
Software RAID? Wash your mouth out with soap...
Click to expand...

Pourqoui? Hardware RAID, the raid card blows and you dont have a spare - now what? Software RAID, server blows, i move my 3 drives, re-do MDADM and re-mount, my datas up in minutes.
 
I've never seen a RAID card go in my 20 years in IT and supporting servers, I'm sure they must do but I've yet to see one.

The biggest problem I'd have with software RAID other than performance is the lack or reporting when a drive fails. You have to keep an eye on them or you generally only find out theres a problem when the last working disk in the array fails also.
 
True - but thats just a little bit of scripting or use a monitoring tool.

I've seen a few RAID cards go (LSI ones generally), but that was in a test environment, not production. Its for that reason i never ever use onboard RAID.
 
have personal seen raid cards crap out and bugger up the drives.

Saying that , it was about 14 years ago last seen.

Can also remember a nt4 domain controller giving problems and getting corrupted. Which went on to corrupt the other domain controllers. so all 3 domain controllers had to be rebuilt over a weekend.
 
lol @ this thread.

You just bought 2 random drives? Good luck on the vendor supporting anything to do with that device any more.

Pay someone to do this, please.
 
SMN said:
Pourqoui? Hardware RAID, the raid card blows and you dont have a spare - now what? Software RAID, server blows, i move my 3 drives, re-do MDADM and re-mount, my datas up in minutes.
Click to expand...

Software RAID.... :eek:


Slow performance, long rebuild times, no thanks.

There's a time and place for software RAID, business critical systems is not one of them.
 
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