Increasing storage capacity on LP2000r

[Denise_24]

We have a Netserver LP2000r with 2-9.1GB Ultra3 10K drives and a Netraid 1M Controller Ultra3 (Windows Server 2000). We would like to increase the hard drive capacity on from its current 8.44GB(if we can still find replacement drives). Anyone have suggestions about how we should go about doing this?

[Sean T. Craig]

Hi Denise,

Yes, there are several options available to you. The first thing I need to mention is that Microsoft does not allow you to expand a primary partition, only extended partitions so, if your RAID-1 is partitioned in 2 (i.e. C: & D:) then you can expand the D: partition to occupy additional space when you add drives. The only way to expand a primary partition is to use a third-party partitioning software.
The HP Supported solution is to backup, recreate the array, reinstall the O/S and restore from backup.

That being said, here are some options:

1. Add another 9GB hard drive and convert your RAID-1 into a RAID-5. This also applies if you add upto 4 more drives; you can expand your 2-drive RAID-1 into a 6-drive RAID-5. Then you could either expand the extended partition using diskpart.exe. The 9GB hard drives may be a little harder to find since they're so old. The supported part number is P2472A

2. Replace the 9GB drives with larger capacity drives and recreate your array, restore, etc. The easiest drive to find for this server and probably the most cost-effective would probably be the P4507A which is 36.4GB, 15000 rpm, Ultra-3 drives. You can still find some at Paramount Computers. Their url is http://www.pmount.com.

Now, the LP2000r is one of the Netservers which HP still offers free phone support for. I recommend utilizing this resource when it comes to setting up your array. Most of them are very familiar with the tools and configurations available to the NetRAID Controllers. You can reach them at 1-800-474-6836 and then say "Netserver" at the voice prompt.

Hope this helps,

Sean T. Craig Sr. C.E.T., M.C.P.

[Denise_24]

Thanks, Steve. It is currently set up with only one partition. Option 2 looks to be the way we need to go. I appreciate your input.

[e4services]

There are drives sized to 300GB available currently for the LP2000r and the NetRAID 1M, that can replace your 9GB drives. The only trouble in expansion, as always, is the size of the partition holding the OS, which can sometimes not be forgiving about changing from the installation size. And from the looks of it, you probably have a single logical drive holding your OS, progrmas and data.

[e4services]

I would suggest the P3579A, 73GB, as the most cost effective. I also would suggest either of:
a) got into the NetRAID configuration and set the rebuild priority to high. Replace one 9GB drive with a new drive. The NetRAID will go off and rebuild the 9GBs onto the new larger drive. When it is finished in a few hours (depending on the amount of data) replace the second 9GB. When all is done, you will still have your 8.44GB logical drive(s) with free space to use for new or expansion of the old.
b) I would prefer to add the new drives along side the exisiting drives as to not effect the OS. Create a new Logical drive array on the new drives. Then spend some time moving your data, programs what ever you can move or reconfigure to a new drive, freeing up space for the OS that way and making it easier to add space the next time.

[Denise_24]

e4services - I agree that I think option (b) would be preferable. Would we be installing two 73GB (for example)and then create, for example, a D: drive on it? I don't have experience using the NetRAID config. I assume that I will have to use it in order to "recognize" the new drives - ? What would be the preferred workflow? Thanks for your input!

[e4services]

Download a copy of the NetRAID user guide for the 1M from HP Support or from us at http://e4services.net/netdoc.html to help you. Then you can use the BIOS configuration by rebooting the machine and hit when it asks you to during POST when the NetRAID BIOS is loading or a copy of the NetRAID assistant OR ACU to run under Windows. Because the controller does not 'recognize' drives and load then into BIOS for the system BIOS at startup, "Logical Drives" must be created to be presented to the system to represent a 'drive'. Therefore, for a single drive you have to create a RAID 0, creating a logical drive that the OS can recognize and format. If a mirror of 2 drives in desired, then you select both drives and create a RAID 1, which will show up as a single 73GB drive to the OS for formating. your "D:"
Then, yes, you can move things to it to give space to the OS and therefore not effecting it nor the boot of the OS.