How To Change Raid Level

[Brian Johnson_3]

I am running a pair of 36.4 drives Raid 1 on the enbedded SCSI controller in a DL380 G1 server which is the Domain controller. I would like to add a third drive and migrate the array to Raid 5. Can this be done without having to restore the data from tape? The array has one logical drive with the operating system and data files in it.

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi,
No, we have not found a such feature yet. If you want to change the Raid level on the DL 380 you have to backup and restore the data or reinstall the system. But, it is possible to extend (add more disks) an existing Raid set.

[e4services]

I know that the HP NetRAID utility has such a feature, but what I do not know is if it is intuitive or a complex software operation.
Your other option is with a 4th drive and keep one of the current mirror to migrate the data from to a new RAID 5 created from the other 3.

The NetRAID guide lists as valid RAID level changes as:
RAID 0 Optimal, to RAID 3 or RAID 5 Optimal, by Adding drives
RAID 1 Optimal, to RAID 3 or RAID 5 Optimal, by Adding drives.

You can change RAID levels by using the Logical Drive Menu of the
HP NetRAID Assistant.
1. Select the Logical View button.
2. Highlight the logical drive you want to change from the Logical Devices
box on the right side of the window.
3. Choose Logical Drv from the main menu, then select Change Config.
4. Choose RAID Level from the Change Config menu. A dialog box opens.
5. Select your new RAID Level from the levels available for the new logical
drive configuration.
6. Select Apply. Reconstruction starts immediately.