topic Re: array format time VA7400 in Disk Enclosures

array format time VA7400

Steve Lewis — Tue, 24 Feb 2004 04:32:29 GMT

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to run the array format command?
We have a VA7400, with 15x36Gb, plus 2 DS2405s holding another 30x76Gb disks.
Is it near instantaneous or likely to take hours?

Re: array format time VA7400

Stuart Urquhart — Tue, 24 Feb 2004 08:10:20 GMT

Instantaneous - it just clears down tables on the controllers I think.

Re: array format time VA7400

D.Blond — Wed, 25 Feb 2004 05:44:53 GMT

Stuart is OK. it is instantaneous.

Re: array format time VA7400

Seth Parker — Thu, 26 Feb 2004 02:46:15 GMT

In the manual for the VA (someplace) it mentions how the formatting really happens. Previously unused disk space isn't actually formatted until it's needed. So as you add data to the VA, it will format what it needs to function. There is supposed to be a slight performance penalty on the first write, but only on the very first write. After that, the section of disk is truly formatted and doesn't need to be formatted again.

Regards,
Seth