Adding to the Raid5 Array - Smart Array 431 on NT4

[Mat Greenaway]

I manage a couple of Compaq Proliant Servers in my job. I need to add
hard drives to an ML370 which has a SmartArray 431 controller. The
server is running NT Server 4 as a PDC. It currently has 4 x 9.1GB
drives in RAID5 array.

With this type of controller, can I just add 2 more identical drives
and not need to reinstall Windows? I have never had much to do with
adding drives after a server is configured, so any help is
appreciated.

Thanks,

Mat Greenaway
Coventry, UK

[Janine Bertolo · Accepted solution]

Hi Mat;

As long as your array was created on the 431 controller, you can expand it online.

Add the drives into the drive cage and run the Array Configuration Utility from Start/Programs/Compaq System Tools.

You will have the option of adding the drives to the array.

Once the array is restriped (it takes approx. 20 min/GB of data) you can create a partition and use the space in NT disk administrator.

Cheers,

Janine

[Mat Greenaway]

Thanks for this answer. I need to get the drives in and upgrade soon.

Thanks again.
Mat Greenaway