Expanding a RAID 5 array in a 4600/Perc 3/DI

Question

I know this question has come up before, but none of the messages i read answered my question.   It's probably a stupid question, but.......   PowerEdge 4600 Perc 3/DI   RAID 1 2x18gig for the OS   RAID 5 currently 3x74gig with a single partition for data   I bought another matching 74gig drive that I'd like to add to the current RAID 5 array in order to expand the single partition on the RAID 5.   The new HD has been installed, and the Array Manager (3.4) sees the drive (exclamation mark next to it) and reports 0 bytes un-allocated.   Question 1   can this be done seamlessly/non-destructively ? If yes......   Question 2   Is this where I right-click on the new drive and initialize it? Do I then just choose the array and select 'reconfigure' and put a check mark next to the new drive?   Question 3  If I'm right so far, when the 'reconfigure ' is done do I then have to deal with the partition itself and extend it to the total size of the array?   Yes I have a complete backup, but I'm hoping I can do all this without having to restore the data from tape preferrably.   Pardon the questions, but I get a bit nervous when doing these kinds of operations on a server.

theceg · Answer

After you add the new drive you just reconfigure the virtual disk and select the new drive and then it'll rebuild the array expanding onto the new drive. It'll take some time but you'll be live during the entire process and no data loss happens.

Timdrouilard · Answer

Thanks for confirming I 'm on the right track.   The new drive is installed and initialized, now all i have to do is get up the courage to reconfigure the virtual disk.

Timdrouilard · Answer

Update:   I strted the array reconfigure Sunday afternoon, and it finally finished with no problems around 11am the next day.   everything went fine with the array, no i'm left with the problem of trying to use the added space to increase the size of the single partition that was already on that array.   the system is running windows Server 2000, and I tought expanding the partition to include the added storage would be easy (I've done it many times in NT), but alas, it's not in my case.   It turns out that you can only expand a partition if it was originally created on a dynamic disk, not a basic disk which is what I have.   Oh well, it looks like If I want to expand the current partition, I'd have to buy a 3rd party solution such as Acronis Disk Director Server which sells for around $500.00

PowerEdge HDD/SCSI/RAID

Expanding a RAID 5 array in a 4600/Perc 3/DI

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