Dell R350 - single boot drive to RAID1

Tomsk · 2025-01-14T15:44:47+0000

We have a Dell R350 running Windows Server Essentials 2019
It is used just as a file server - no exchange or databases on it.

Our network has about 20 users and 15 PCs
It has 5 assorted drives (had to replace a couple due to failures) for storage using Stablebit Drivepool and a single 250GB SATA M2 for the OS
The single OS drive has an estimated life of just over a year remaining.

I would like to change the OS to a RAID 1 setup using two SATA M2 drives

It currently does nightly full metal backups to an external USB drive.

What's the best way of migrating the OS over to the RAID1?
Would it be setup the RAID1 from BIOS, install server OS and then restore a backup?

Or use cloning software?
ie setup RAID1, install an OS, clone the original OS from an external USB to overwrite the OS on the RAID

Armageus · 2025-01-14T15:59:26+0000

In theory should be:
- take a backup image
- setup RAID1 in the RAID controller bios (assume this is a Dell BOSS-S2 or similar).
- Boot from USB Rescue media and restore the backup image directly to the RAID1 array (which shouldn't need any drivers to show up, as it uses standard AHCI in box drivers)

Robert T. · 2025-01-14T16:26:30+0000

Would suggest:

in between point 1 and 2 - take SSD out, replace that one with two new drives
follow with point 2 and 3..

That way you do have a drop-in option to get system back.

Tomsk · 2025-01-15T12:40:04+0000

Armageus said:
In theory should be:
- take a backup image
- setup RAID1 in the RAID controller bios (assume this is a Dell BOSS-S2 or similar).
- Boot from USB Rescue media and restore the backup image directly to the RAID1 array (which shouldn't need any drivers to show up, as it uses standard AHCI in box drivers)

How do I create USB rescue media?
If I create a bootable usb from the iso, using rufus, will this be usable to restore the backup image?

Armageus · 2025-01-15T13:13:31+0000

You'd generally create rescue media from whatever backup software you are using e.g. Macrium reflect, Veeam, Acronis trueimage etc - this then loads it's own cut down OS that's just enough to recover your backup to the drive.