can windows home server 2011 write to drives larger than 2tb but not back up

Combat squirrel · 7 Dec 2011 at 10:32

As title, can windows home server 2011 write to drives larger than 2tb but not back up ?

I know I cannot backup more than 2TB due to the way WHS 2011 uses its backup file system, but what about a 6TB NAS ? Can you just plonk files on that all day long 'manually' up and over 2TB?

Any info be great, thanks.

Combat squirrel · 7 Dec 2011 at 12:30

Anyone know ?

Combat squirrel · 7 Dec 2011 at 16:09

Combat squirrel said:
Anyone know ?

Been googling a lot still lost, any input

platypus · 7 Dec 2011 at 16:26

WHSv2011 supports 3TB drives, but back ups are limited to no more than 2040GB (2088958MB) of data due to the limits of the .vhd file format.

When adding a 3TB drive to your WHSv2011, it will be split into two partitions in order to prevent issues arising where some numpties will naturally try to backup an entire drive that is too large.

Combat squirrel · 7 Dec 2011 at 21:02

Yeh but I assume the .VHD format is what it uses for its 'built in' backup system......im talking about just writing to a network drive of more than 2TB........like manually dragging the folder accross and it just sending the data over.

I assume this is correct and vhd isnt WHS2011's version of NTFS or something weird like that.

See what am getting at ?

Combat squirrel · 8 Dec 2011 at 11:28

Is there a better forum for this ?

I cant seem to get any feedback

platypus · 8 Dec 2011 at 12:19

Combat squirrel said:
Yeh but I assume the .VHD format is what it uses for its 'built in' backup system......im talking about just writing to a network drive of more than 2TB........like manually dragging the folder accross and it just sending the data over.

I assume this is correct and vhd isnt WHS2011's version of NTFS or something weird like that.

See what am getting at ?

v2011 can write to >2TB, so I can't see why it wouldn't be able to copy to a network location >2TB.

The size limitations are purely for the built in backup.

Combat squirrel · 8 Dec 2011 at 13:14

platypus said:
v2011 can write to >2TB, so I can't see why it wouldn't be able to copy to a network location >2TB.

The size limitations are purely for the built in backup.

This be what im hoping, I was just looking for anyone with direct experience.

My plan is to use 3rd party backup and copy the contents of all the servers drives to one massive home built NAS drive.

platypus · 9 Dec 2011 at 12:23

I haven't used/don't really plan on upgrading to v2011, but I think it's a safe assumption to make that you can copy morethan 2TB to a network share.

Ask on wegotserved.

Tomsk · 9 Dec 2011 at 16:40

Combat squirrel said:
Is there a better forum for this ? I cant seem to get any feedback

www.wegotserved.com

moorlander · 9 Dec 2011 at 19:49

Hi
It may be useful to have a look at this - http://www.youtube.com/user/jpltim#p/u/2/mfCY6sVadnY
It shows how to install a 3TB (multiple) hard drive into a WHS using the windows disk management software rather than adding disks via the normal WHS software - Have a look and you will see what I mean. I think it may also allow you to configure drives in raid.