changing hp smart array 5i from raid 5 to raid 1

[Jackie Moser]

How can I change the array from raid 5 to raid 1 with an available spare.

[Doug de Werd · Accepted solution]

as long as you have the appropriate number of drives, you can do it in the Array Configuration Utility (ACU). In other words, for a raid 1 you need an even number of drives, plus one for the spare. So if you had 5 drives in a RAID 5, you would set 4 in a RAID 1 (or 1+0) plus a spare. Make sure you migrate the RAID level. If you delete the existing RAID 5 array and create a new RAID 1 from scratch, you will delete all of the data.

You can get more info at http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/proliantstorage/software-management/acumatrix/index.html

Thanks,
Doug

[Doug de Werd]

the exact procedure is outlined on page 3-7 of the ACU User Guide at ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/supportinformation/techpubs/user_reference_guides/239449-004_rev4_us.pdf

Thanks,
Doug

[Michael Schulte zur Sur]

Hi,

how many drives have you got in that raid5?

Michael

[Jackie Moser]

3 36.4g

[Doug de Werd]

so if you migrate that to a RAID 1, you will use 2 drives in the mirror, with one as the spare, giving you an effective net disk capacity of 36 GB.

Just follow the migration procedures in the ACU User Guide. Be aware that you don't want to do this if you have more than 36 GB of data!

Thanks,
Doug

[Michael Schulte zur Sur]

Hi,

in the user guide it is also stated, that a migration of the raid level may also require additional unused space.

so be careful,

Michael