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upgrading discs in 1U server

MikeG

MikeG

Well-known member
⭐️⭐️PATRON⭐️⭐️
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
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Location
Long Island, NY
I recently purchased a demo 1U server with two 1TB drives. I have quickly used the memory up but have a few questions.

I would, of course, add two 2Tb drives in the remaining spaces. I would like to change the first two 1Tb drives for the larger capacity too. So I was thinking...;)

If I were to add one new 2Tb drive and remove one 1Tb drive, will the array rebuild correctly? If so, after it has completed rebuilding, I could and the second 2Tb drive and remove the last 1Tb drive. Right? Then my 1U server could hold a total of 6Tb (4 2Tb) instead of 4Tb (2 1Tb and 2Tb).

So where did my logic go wrong?!?

And no, I don't have the coin right now for the 3U upgrade.
 
If you are trying to replace the drives, remove one then replace it. Once you put the 2TB drive in, it will become a 3rd drive to the array. Pulling the 1TB drive then puts the array in a degraded state.

You are best off just adding the drives and then when your system is full, then remove the 1TB drives and replace them with larger ones.
 
Mr.Poindexter said:
If you are trying to replace the drives, remove one then replace it. Once you put the 2TB drive in, it will become a 3rd drive to the array. Pulling the 1TB drive then puts the array in a degraded state.

You are best off just adding the drives and then when your system is full, then remove the 1TB drives and replace them with larger ones.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response.

It seems to me that your first and second statement are in conflict. In regards to your last statement, won't this put the array in a degraded state as well? Or will my "plan" work?
 
Do you have the option of taking your 1U to a dealer, connect your server to theirs, and get them to use the "replicate" feature to transfer the data from the 1TB's to the 2TB's? The dealer who sells you the new discs should be able to offer that service.
 
I purchased his demo unit. Not sure if he has replaced it yet. But he did mention a service in CT that would do this, "replicate" that is. I was just thinking of what I could do myself.

I think it would work...just looking for some insight. I would hate to re-enter 1 Gb of data! Thanks for replying.
 
I'm sure a dealer who sells you some 2TB discs would be happy to replicate your content onto the new discs, as long as they have access to a 1U or 3U server. Only K dealers have access to the software key to unlock the replicate feature in KEOS, it's not like you can borrow someone elses server and do it yourself. But "failing" discs one at a time is another option as others here have said, but I think K recommends replicate over failing discs.
 
Thanks everyone.

BTW, the system is fantastic!!

Another 150 or so DVDs left! Until bluray ;)
 
I just reread and found you were looking at replacing all the drives. I mentioned that you would be best off just adding the 2TB drives and then upgrading from the 1TB drives when you needed the room. Depending on how soon that comes around, we might have even larger drives available. There really is little point in upgrading an existing drive when an open drive slot is still available.
 
Hi Guys

Can I ask or rather give an example to a situation that will or has happened to some K users as it extends on MikeG's question. I'd like to hear from real experiences.

If I eventually have all 14 slots in my 3U filled with 9x2Tb drives and 5x750Gb drives what would be the method to upgrade the remaining 750Gb drives to 2Tb drives?

I am a little unclear on Brodrijc explaination.

1, Could/can my dealer copy across only the 5 small drives to new larger drives (one at a time or otherwise) or does the whole drive array need to be replicated?

2, Would swapping out a single drive at a time myself be advised?

3, Is it not safer to try swapping them out before the server is fully loaded just incase of the worst happening (a total loss of data due to dual drive failure)?
That would mean less work to do (all over again)!

Many thanks

Panamar
 
Panamar, your safest bet is to do a replication, however in your situation that doesn't appear to be practical. Your 3U contains a hot spare (flashing) which will be one of the 2TB drives. Pulling ONE 750GB drive from the chassis should be safe - the system should rebuild that content loss. WAIT until that's done and verifyed before you put in a new 2TB drive. It could take up to 24 hrs for each 750Gb to rebuild.

Repeat, ONE AT A TIME as needed.
 
Hi kman

Thanks for the tip. Im not actually ready to do that as I still have a few slots available on my server, but found the thread interesting and made me think about want I would have to do once I get to that stage. But if K ever release a BD player I know I'll get there much sooner!

I believe K have said the 3U will still be accessable during the rebuild of a hdd but I feel it may be safer to put the players on ice till rebuilds are complete. And it'll most likely speed the whole process up?!

Rgds

Panamar
 
Just an FYI... any players would still be available during any hdd event like this. They'll still see and be able to play from the "system" less what content is missing as a result of pulling the one 750GB drive (until the rebuild is complete). No worries with any players.
 
Panamar said:
Hi Guys

Can I ask or rather give an example to a situation that will or has happened to some K users as it extends on MikeG's question. I'd like to hear from real experiences.

If I eventually have all 14 slots in my 3U filled with 9x2Tb drives and 5x750Gb drives what would be the method to upgrade the remaining 750Gb drives to 2Tb drives?

I am a little unclear on Brodrijc explaination.

1, Could/can my dealer copy across only the 5 small drives to new larger drives (one at a time or otherwise) or does the whole drive array need to be replicated?

No, that's not possible since all disks are a one file system. The replication doesn't help really. The only resaon why you would replicate the content is for safety reasons. But this requires a second 3U with enough storage capacity for replicating your existing content.

2, Would swapping out a single drive at a time myself be advised?

This will not cause any problem. But keep in mind that the hot spare will replace immediately the disk which was removed. The next disk you put in will
automatically become the new hot spare. a.s.o.

3, Is it not safer to try swapping them out before the server is fully loaded just incase of the worst happening (a total loss of data due to dual drive failure)?

In my opinion better sooner than later. Simply because less content means less time required to rebuild the file system => "less stress" for the disks since the rebuild is a lot of "reading and writing" for the disk set.
The chance that the system could fail is always possibe but from my experience most unlikely. The case given you have a dual disk failure the system would run then in the degraded mode and will not cause any lose of data. Only the third failing drive on you 3U gets you in trouble.

That would mean less work to do (all over again)!

Many thanks

Panamar
Click to expand...

Cheers

Breitling
 
While it has been advised against swapping out a single drive and replacing it with a larger new drive, I have done that successfully several times now.
 
Hi all

Thank you everyone for the input. It helps everyone new and old.

Another question that you may be able to answer is.... can I swap out several 750Gb drives for the equivalent storage space in 2Tb drives? I.e.

(5)x750Gb hdds = (2)x4Tb

or will I have to exchange hdd for hdd regardless of size?

If I pull one of the 750Gb hdds the hot-spare will be used to rebuild the lost data, once rebuilt although there is technically no hotspare can I pull another 750Gb hdd? Would the second 750Gb hdd pulled now rebuild on the hot-spare that the first 750Gb hdd rebuilt on?

Rgds

Panamar

Im guessing no!
 
Good question. And again, replication is the best way to achieve disc replacement in quantity. That is not so practical in your specific circumstance, so understand what you are doing is a workaround not without some risk of content loss...

That stated, when you pull out the first 750Gb drive, your existing hot spare which IN YOUR CASE is a 2TB drive (flashing) will recover that content that was on the removed 750Gb drive. When completed, there is still a net of at least 1.25TB new SYSTEM storage available (more if the removed 750GB wasn't full). However, your SYSTEM now has NO HOT SPARE. The next 2TB drive inserted into your chassis becomes your NEW HOT SPARE.

When you are actually ready to start down this path, I'd suggest you engage myself or another competent dealer for procedural assistance. Phone support would do it.
 
Drive swapping cannot do what you are asking - only replication. You can drive swap and upgrad ea single drive, but not consolidate data from a set number of drives to fewer larger drives.
 
Mike, you are correct. A system's drive quantity in a chassis can only same the same or grow, not shrink. In this specific case, each 750GB removed will require a 2TB replacement. Each time this would be repeated, the new 2TB becomes the new hot spare.
 
Mr.Poindexter said:
While it has been advised against swapping out a single drive and replacing it with a larger new drive, I have done that successfully several times now.
Click to expand...

Thanks for confirming!

Once (if) the bluray option comes about, I'll give it a try myself. Until then, my humble collection of a few hundred DVDs is safe. I have been building my bluray collection for the past few years. Hopefully I will have the same elegant and simple solution.

(crossed fingers)

Mike
 
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