add disk to raid 5 array

Sorry,

The server is under windows 2000.

Thanks

Hello

Which Operating System are you using?

Simon, iT Support Team - Taunton's College

Drives are hotswappable. Assuming you have the perc 3/di like I do. Install the drive initialize it and reconfigure your virtual disk using the array manager console plugin.

Initialize: Select the disk (probably disk 0:3) right click and initialize.

Raid reconfig: To do this select your VDisk....(probably disk 0) right click on it and select reconfigure.  Select all drives and it will tell you what the max size of the container will be key in the max size and select ok. Keep everything the same.

You should not lose any data during the conversion, but it is a very good idea to do a full backup before doing the upgrade just in case.....The reconfig could take awhile depending on the size of the disk. My reconfig too 22 hours total when I went from a 2 disk mirror to a 4 disk Raid 5. Performance was degraded just a little bit while the process took place, but no one noticed....

Thanks for your answer !

You're welcome.

It would be a good idea to make sure that your bios, firmaware etc. are up to date. Maybe Mark will chime in and provide you with the links to the updates.....The new bois in A09 I believe

Excellent advice !!

FYI, these are the latest System Upgrades for the PowerEdge 4400 and the (default) Perc 3/di running Win2000. Install in this order:

Dell Server System BIOS, PowerEdge 4400, A09
Filename: B2200T09.exe (455 KB)
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R35997

Dell ESM Firmware, PowerEdge 2550, 4400, A56
Filename: a56cust.exe (405 KB)
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R34150
Note: Extract the files to a DOS bootable floppy disk. Boot the server to this floppy disk, and run smflsh.exe

PERC2, 2/Si, 3/Si, 3/Di, Driver, 2000, v. 2.7.1.4944, A12
Filename: w2ka12dr.exe [211 KB]
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R47959

Adaptec PERC3/Di, Firmware, PowerEdge 4400, v. 2.7.1.3571, A10
Filename: BO357110.exe [924 KB]
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R47401

Thanks for your advice...

That's a great idea to make my system up to date :)

By the way, is there a solution to save array configuration (in a file format) ?

Hi,

Yes, there is a way to save the array container information in a file:

Container Configuration Utility
http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1046701

Note this document is old and the filename mentioned maybe slightly different, depending on the version of Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD (DOSA) you have.

Similar situation...I am ready to reconfigure 2 "added" disks to a RAID 5 setup.  Reconfigure on the virtual disk shows the 2 new disks ready to reconfigure.  All BIOS's/firmware are up to date.  My question is whether or not the server can still be used while this 12-24 hour process is taking place?  Someone said a slight noticable difference, but is this recommended?  Should this take place over a weekend where no one is accessing the server? 

• 2 added disks are 36gb each (5 total)
• 15 users may be accessing the server during business hours
• just file access on server, no running apps.

Any assistance is appreciated.

Chris