Plug in second drive while system is installed

[PAfreakFloiran]

Hello everybody,
I want to know if it is possible to insert a second hdd in my dl 360 g3 Server, to get more space while the system is installed on the other one. And is it possible to run the hdd's then in Raid 1 configuration, or must I install all new to get Raid 1 ?

[Michael A. McKenney]

What controller do you have? What operating system? RAID 1 means two drive parity. The same information is copied to both drives. If one drive fails, you are still up and running. It does not increase storage space. It adds fault redundancy to your server.

[PAfreakFloiran]

I use the Smart Array 5i Controller and Debian 5. I know what raid 1 means; I just want to know if it is possible to run a second hdd to get more space, or in raid 1 configuration; without reinstall the whole system?
Thanks, Florian

[Michael A. McKenney]

If the DL360 G3 has the hot swap cages installed then yes you can install drives hot. Most HP controllers can switch from single to RAID 1. I would not do RAID 0 to increase the drive partition. Its not fault redundant. Lose one drive, you lose your data. I would do RAID 1 for your OS and add another RAID 1 array for your apps and data. I never put apps/data on the same array as the OS. I usually do three arrays on a server without a SAN,

1.) OS
2.) apps/data
3.) paging/swap

[Terry Hutchings]

If you are using the 5i you can add the additional drive while the OS is running, but you will not be able to get the OS to see the drive without first creating an array with the new drive. You will need to run the ACU in order to get the new drive in an array.

[PAfreakFloiran]

Hello,
i'm not sure if it will works, because i can't select raid 1.
Just watch this video --> http://daten.ts-4.de/dl360g3.wmv
I hope you undersand me.

[Michael A. McKenney]

You have two types of RAID 1, hardware and software. Hardware is done on the controller. Software through the OS. I would do the RAID on the controller level. You never do both.

[Terry Hutchings]

The raid level you have is dependent on the number of drives available. If there is only 1 drive being added and you want to put that into its own array, then you will only be able to create a raid 0. Raid 1 (or 1+0) requires that you have and even number of drives.

[PAfreakFloiran]

Thanks for your reply,
but can you please tell me short what I must do step by step, because i'm new on area ?
Thanks

[Michael A. McKenney]

Backup the server to tape twice. Test your backup to make sure it is good. I like two backups before modifying disks.

You would enter your controller ACU setup either from post or from HP ACU tools. Choose the single drive and second drive and create the RAID 1 array.

[PAfreakFloiran]

You know a fast way to backup the hole hdd fast?
I backup at the moment some folders with cvf, but it's not very clever.

[Terry Hutchings]

If you currently have a raid 0 and want to add the new drive in to migrate from a raid 0 to raid 1 then that can be done. Unfortunately, you will not gain ANY space by doing this, because it will just mirror the exisiting drive onto the new drive being added. If the purpose is to add another drive to gain more storage space, then you will need to put the new drive into it's own raid 0. You were on the right track in the video you attached. In the ORCA create the raid 0 logical drive, then boot back up to the OS. It should see the new drive you added.

If what you want is to migrate from a raid 0 to a raid 1, then it will require using the Array Configuration Utility from a Smart Start CD or one for the OS. I am not sure there is a version to use on debian, so you may be out of luck with the online version. If you do this from Smart Start there are wizards which will guide you through the raid level migration.

[Michael A. McKenney]

Don't you have a tape drive? I don't rush backups. I want them done correctly. You will need to do a verify on them. You don't want to risk losing data. If you have SQL server on it. Go into maintenence and do backups of all the databases.

It might be worth you paying HP or a local company to come out and help you. You seem like you have not worked on servers. You are better off having someone show you how to do it.

[PAfreakFloiran]

Jea you right, this is my first real server "I'm new on this area", I run debian before under a normal pc as server. I have no one who can show me how to do, so itâ s all learning by doing!

[Michael A. McKenney]

Most of the questions you ask are in the manuals for the server and controller. It is sometimes better to hire help for the first server install. Take notes and have them walk you through it. Its worth 4-8 hours of help to get it done right the first time. You can easily miss a step and cause issues in the future.

[PAfreakFloiran]

Jeaa, I’ve done it, with learning by doing!
Thanks for you'r help !