You can increase the reported size of a volume on the array while it is online. You should also confirm to create a snapshot of the current volume when you are prompted (or you can take a snapshot prior to increasing the size). For added precaution, I would also have a backup of the volume.
Once you have resized the volume on the array, you will need to go into the Host OS and then increase the file system volume size to utilize the new space you created (how to do this varies and is different for the OS running on the host).
Regarding the Snapshot: This is a precautionary step to have a failback option (in case something goes wrong when you extend the file system to utilize the new volume size you allocated on the array).
As long as there is free space in the pool (and there should be, since you added disk, and total array capacity), verify that you have enough snapshot space (volume> status tab). You may need to adjust the snapshot size to get 100% of the volume. Another option is to allow for snapshot borrowing (volume> snapshots tab> modify snapshot policy) to allow for the snapshot to use reserved snapshot space from other volumes. You can also delete any older snapshots or volumes from the array to gain space.
Regarding the procedures for extending the file system, as Datacenter 2012 uses NTFS partitions, you can just follow Microsoft’s procedures to extend the volume to the unallocated space, this can be done in disk manager (computer management> disk management), or with diskpart. Or if this is a VM running on hyper-v or a VMFS partition, follow the procedures for these types of volumes.
I don't have any snapshot reserve currently allocated, just free pool space after adding the extra 12 drives. A little reluctant to progress at this stage!
Joe S586
7 Technologist
•
729 Posts
0
May 6th, 2014 06:00
You can increase the reported size of a volume on the array while it is online. You should also confirm to create a snapshot of the current volume when you are prompted (or you can take a snapshot prior to increasing the size). For added precaution, I would also have a backup of the volume.
Once you have resized the volume on the array, you will need to go into the Host OS and then increase the file system volume size to utilize the new space you created (how to do this varies and is different for the OS running on the host).
-joe
fasset
3 Posts
0
May 6th, 2014 07:00
Hi Joe, we have limited space left on the current active volume, will this be an issue for the snapshot?
The Host OS is MS Datacentre 2012, do you have a procedure for increasing the file system volume size?
Joe S586
7 Technologist
•
729 Posts
1
May 6th, 2014 09:00
Regarding the Snapshot: This is a precautionary step to have a failback option (in case something goes wrong when you extend the file system to utilize the new volume size you allocated on the array).
As long as there is free space in the pool (and there should be, since you added disk, and total array capacity), verify that you have enough snapshot space (volume> status tab). You may need to adjust the snapshot size to get 100% of the volume. Another option is to allow for snapshot borrowing (volume> snapshots tab> modify snapshot policy) to allow for the snapshot to use reserved snapshot space from other volumes. You can also delete any older snapshots or volumes from the array to gain space.
Regarding the procedures for extending the file system, as Datacenter 2012 uses NTFS partitions, you can just follow Microsoft’s procedures to extend the volume to the unallocated space, this can be done in disk manager (computer management> disk management), or with diskpart. Or if this is a VM running on hyper-v or a VMFS partition, follow the procedures for these types of volumes.
-joe
fasset
3 Posts
0
May 7th, 2014 02:00
I don't have any snapshot reserve currently allocated, just free pool space after adding the extra 12 drives. A little reluctant to progress at this stage!