MSA50 has run out of Disk Space, how to ADD ???

[rogerp_1]

Hi Guys,

Looking for some advice and help.

We have the following server / Kit.

HP ML350G4P
Windows 2003 Server

OS & DATA1 Area
Smart Array 6400
5 x 72GB Hot Plug Scsi Drives
1 Logical Drive
Raid 5
C Partition OS
D Partition DATA1

DATA2
Smart Array P600
External Storage Works MSA50 Enclosure
8 x 300GB SAS Hot Plug Drives
Raid 6 ADG
1 Logical Drive with 1.4TB
F Partition for DATA2

Problem:

The disk capacity space on our MSA 50 is full.

Request:

To install 1 additional 300GB SAS drive and extend the Logical Drive and the F Partition.

Currently the Disk 1 (MSA) is set to Basic in Disk Management.

I’m happy and know how to add a drive then add it to the Logical Drive using the Smart Array console.

My issue is with regards to extending or adding space to the existing F drive Partition.

We do not want an addiotionl Partition (Drive)

Does anyone know how I can do this?

My research shows me that if the disk is in Basic Mode it cannot be extended, but also shows that if I convert it to Dynamic it still cannot be extended, confused here...

Is there a workaround ?

Also for future knowledge what is the correct way to deploy a MSA so we can add drives without too much trouble.

Thanks

[gregersenj · Accepted solution]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325590

1. Hot plug disk
2. Using ACU expand array
3. Using ACU extend Logical drive.
4. using diskpart extend the partition
see link.
- open command prompt
- run diskpart. It will help you

according to abaove link, it works on basic disks also.

Just for precaursion: Ensure you have a good backup.

BR
/jag

[rogerp_1]

Few and thanks,

I'll give it a try on a test server i have with the same setup.

Can i ask, is this by design or should we be deploying it differently ?

For example if i have a new install to do with a second Raid Card and a MSA with 5 drives and in the future will be adding additonal drives should i be deploying in anoter method that will make adding space easier ?

[rogerp_1]

Forgot to ask, as we are only creating 1 logical drive on the MSA with only one Partition whould we be using basic or dynamic disks

[kris rombauts]

Roger,

as long as you stay with relatively small disk storage solutions using PCI based raid controllers (like the SmartArray P600 in this example) your deployment is fine and you'll have to go thru simmilar steps to reach the objective, whatever brand of controller (HP or other) you are using, so you are OK.
So the steps provided in this thread are what you'll need to do, been there, works fine.

With larger capacities (i.e. in SAN based disk arrays) there are sometimes other features available that make this kind of scenario easier (grow/shrink volumes i.e.) but we are talking another budget here also.

No need for Dynamic disk unless you want to go and do some striping at the OS level also.
It's best to stay with just one array and one logical drive (i.e. RAID5 or RAID6) and just partition it at the OS level unless you mix disk capacities and want or need to separate certain volumes on different physicall disks for performance reasons i.e.
(i.e. dbase and log disk).


HTH

Kris

[rogerp_1]

Thanks to all th replys, both answers have been great guys.

Many Thanks

[gregersenj]

You're welcome

BR
/jag