MSA 500 can i run mixed sized disks and what is the downside

[gareth evans_4]

I have an MSA 500 with 3 disk groups configured their are 2 raid 5 disk groups with 5 72.8 gig disks each i want to replace 2 of the disks in each disk group with 146 gig disks. is this possible? and is there a performance impact?

=> controller sn=PAB360NX3V005E show config

MSA500 G2 at MBV4LYPN9D (sn: PAB360NX3V005E, csn: MBV4LYPN9D)

array A (Parallel SCSI, Unused Space: 0 MB)

logicaldrive 1 (67.8 GB, RAID 1+0, OK)

physicaldrive 1:1 (box 1:bay 1, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1:2 (box 1:bay 2, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)

array B (Parallel SCSI, Unused Space: 0 MB)

logicaldrive 2 (271.3 GB, RAID 5, OK)

physicaldrive 1:3 (box 1:bay 3, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1:4 (box 1:bay 4, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1:5 (box 1:bay 5, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1:6 (box 1:bay 6, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1:7 (box 1:bay 7, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)

array C (Parallel SCSI, Unused Space: 0 MB)

logicaldrive 3 (271.3 GB, RAID 5, OK)

physicaldrive 1:8 (box 1:bay 8, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1:9 (box 1:bay 9, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1:10 (box 1:bay 10, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1:11 (box 1:bay 11, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1:12 (box 1:bay 12, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)

unassigned

physicaldrive 1:13 (box 1:bay 13, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)
physicaldrive 1:14 (box 1:bay 14, Parallel SCSI, 72.8 GB, OK)

[gregersenj]

Yes, it is possible to replace drives to larger drives.

It may have a minor impact on performance (I don't know how much, if do have impact).

If you replace 2 disks to larger disks to logical array B and C. Then you do not get more capacity on Logical drive 2 and 3.
You willbe able 2 create 2 new logical drives in a RAID 0 or 1, on the extra space.

If you replace the drives in Array A to larger drives, then you will be able to extend logical drive 1, but the oprating system must support, that the drive grow.

If you want to expand the capacety on Logical drive 2 and 3, then you must add the unassigned drives to Array B and / or C, or replace all drives in the array wich you want to expand/extend.