Add P212 card and create RAID 1 from a single drive

[Daniel99]

On a HP ML110 G6 with a single SATA drive, we'd like to add a RAID controller P212/ZM and create a RAID 1 array (second blank HDD would be added)
Is there an option on this RAID controller P212 to create a RAID1 array by adding a second drive to an existing single drive full of data?
If not what is my best option?

Thank you,
Daniel

[Prokopets]

Daniel, p212 can do raid migration only if you add a BBWC. But even it this case i won't recommend you to do this without having full backup.

[Daniel99]

I donâ t have a BBWC kit, so my plan is to:
- Backup the server
- Install the controller drivers
- Power down the server and install the P212 card / attach the single HDD
- Boot-up the server and change the controller boot order
- If Server 2003 boots OK, clone the single HDD to another HDD using Acronis Universal restore
- Build RAID 1 array â single original HDD + another similar HDD
- Clone back from single HDD to RAID1 using Acronis
Is the above feasible or any heads up?
Thanks,
Daniel

[Prokopets]

Daniel, i don't think that your plan will work from this point:
=====
- If Server 2003 boots OK, clone the single HDD to another HDD using Acronis Universal restore
- Build RAID 1 array â  single original HDD + another similar HDD
- Clone back from single HDD to RAID1 using Acronis
=====

Controller won't understand second disk as a member of raid. In my opinion better way is:
- install drivers
*optional* - create rescue floppy for windows
- backup (acronis is good idea)
- delete disk group (with one disk)
- create new disk group for raid 1(with two disks)
- restore the backup on created volume (acronis should see single disk)

[gregersenj]

It is possible to combine 2 RAID 0's into a RIAD 1, without the BBWC.

But you have got another issue.
The Smart Array controllers is data compatible, with Smart Array controllers only.
You can't take a disk from a non-smart array controller, and use it strit away.
You will have to do a complete re-installation.

[gregersenj]

Since you have windows server, it is very easy to create a software RAID 1.
Quicker, and less complex, than what you suggest your self.

BR
/jag

[gregersenj]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323432

[Daniel99]

Thank your posting your suggestions.
Software RAID was considered as a somewhat viable option, but not recommended.
Since we now have a RAID controller (HP forgot to ship the controller with the server and the software was instlled on single HDD - mobo attached), we'd like to get this setup the right way and move from single HDD mobo attahced to RAID1 with 2 HDD's.
If there's not clean solution to this within the controller options, we'll consider doning an Acronis Universal Restore to disimilar hardware and inject the controller drivers.
Cheers,
Daniel

[gregersenj]

Yes, then you will have some extra work :)

[Andreas Bürgel]

Hi Daniel,

did you get the raid on ml110 G6 work with the p212 ZM?

I've exactly the same hardware, running an raid 1 on the p212 on a ml 110 G6, but i get a read performance from about 60MB/s.

which performance (read) do you get?