Replace disks in a RAID 1

[Robertomcat]

Hello good afternoon.

I currently have a HPE ML110 G9 server with a 4GB p440 controller and the integrated b140i controller, in which I have the WS 2016 operating system in RAID 1. Currently in RAID 1 I have two 120GB OCZ TR150 disks with 20,000 working hours, and I would like to replace the two.

What would be the best system to replace the discs?

1 .- I make a backup of the operating system (I have backups made by Windows), change the disks and and reinstall the operating system of the backup? (I dont like this system very much).

2.- Replace a disk, let the system rebuild the new unit, and then replace the other and let it rebuild again.

The new discs that I want to incorporate are two Samsung 860 Pro 250GB, which have a larger size than the old OCZ. Once the two new 250GB disks are incorporated, will I be able to expand the total capacity from the SSA?

Thank you!

[PDP-Fan]

I would suggest that you make a backup anyway, no matter which way you go. There are many chances to completely lose all your data if something goes wrong.

The SAFE method will be to backup your data to an external device (USB Disk etc.) and then remove the old disks and make a new logical drive with the new disks (or SSD's).  And if something goes wrong, you can turn back to the old drives.

The OTHER method is to replace one drive with a new one and let the RAID rebuild. Then replace the second drive and let rebuild too. This creates a logical drive that has the same size as before but on larger disks. (with unused space).
Disadvantages:
- Not all controllers support logical drive expansion.... you will possibly be stuck with your old LD size.
- It takes a lot of time (2x rebuild plus expansion)
- Operating system must support partition size expansion.

I would choose the safe method. Even if it seems more complicated it is probably faster.

[Harsh_b]

Hello Robertomcat,

RAID 1 arrays will take the lower disk size as basis for all disks in the array, therefore, all disks will use the capacity up to the size of the smallest drive in the array and the excess space will be left unused. For the mirroring process, replacing the drives one at a time and resynchronizing will allow to save the information without having to start a new array and reinstalling.

However, the card will not automatically expand the array size to fill the aditional space, use partitioning tools like diskpart in windows or lvm in HP-UX.

An alternate option is to make a backup of the the information, creating a new array using the full drive size and reinstalling.

Regards

Harsh_b

[Robertomcat]

@PDP-Fan@Harsh_b

Well, first of all thank you for answering.

It seems that the election has been unanimously, both of you recommend me to make a backup and then restore it, I'll take the floor.

What secure software could I use to back up? I think that for this task, the Windows Server 2016 backup does not work. Any suggestions?

[Torsten.]

>> Disadvantages:
- Not all controllers support logical drive expansion.... you will possibly be stuck with your old LD size.
- It takes a lot of time (2x rebuild plus expansion)
- Operating system must support partition size expansion.

Your setup should support all of this.

As long as you replace a HDD by HDD or SDD by SDD you can do this "online", make a backup just in case.

[Robertomcat]

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@Torsten. wrote:
Your setup should support all of this.

As long as you replace a HDD by HDD or SDD by SDD you can do this "online", make a backup just in case.

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So it's great that the b140i controller with the SSA can expand the RAID once the larger disks are incorporated, along with the WS2016.

You also think that you should create a copy, change the disks, and restore the copy of new discs? Thank you!

[Torsten.]

you told you have a p440, right?

[Robertomcat]

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@Torsten. wrote:
you told you have a p440, right?

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Yes, but that controller does not manage the RAID 1 of the operating system.

b140i = RAID 1 S.O, OCZ TR150 120GB

p440 = 8x6TB RAID5 only data

[Torsten.]

I used several times some cloning tools successfully, like macrium reflect.
You can backup online, create a linux or PE based boot medium and restore.

[Robertomcat]

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@Torsten. wrote:
I used several times some cloning tools successfully, like macrium reflect.
You can backup online, create a linux or PE based boot medium and restore.

---

But using the system to exchange the disks one by one and rebuild them, and after expanding to the maximum capacity of the new disks, the b140i controller can not do it?

[Jimmy Vance]

It has been some time since I've worked with a B140i controller, but from what I recall, you cannot expand an array on this controller like you can with a "P" series controller.

[Torsten.]

Something experimental:

Take out the 8 disks.

Move the 2 SSD to the 8-slot bay.

Insert the new SDDs too there.

Create a new RAID1 on them.

Clone the old pair to the new pair.

Shutdown, remove the disks.

Insert the 8 disks again.

Insert the new SSD pair.

Boot up.

IMHO this should work, but you need some downtime.

[Robertomcat]

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@Jimmy Vance wrote:

It has been some time since I've worked with a B140i controller, but from what I recall, you cannot expand an array on this controller like you can with a "P" series controller.

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What a big oversize! I did not remember that the server, with the factory options, came with a cable of four sata connectors connected to the motherboard, and that I am currently using two to make the RAID 1 operating system.

It has occurred to me to incorporate the two new disks to the two connectors that are empty, and create a RAID1 and clone the operating system to these two new ones. Then I can check if it works correctly by changing the boot disks from the SSA. Once you see that everything works as it should, you could already delete the two old discs.

I had not thought of that option, I did not remember that cable with the four sata connectors.

Thank you for the recommendations!

[Robertomcat]

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@Torsten. wrote:

Something experimental:

Take out the 8 disks.

Move the 2 SSD to the 8-slot bay.

Insert the new SDDs too there.

Create a new RAID1 on them.

Clone the old pair to the new pair.

Shutdown, remove the disks.

Insert the 8 disks again.

Insert the new SSD pair.

Boot up.

IMHO this should work, but you need some downtime.

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That is not absolutely viable. Thank you for the recommendations!

[Jimmy Vance]

What it boils down to at this point is how long would it take you to re-install the OS and applications on a new array versus messing around with all the cloning / expansion options.

[Robertomcat]

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@Jimmy Vance wrote:

What it boils down to at this point is how long would it take you to re-install the OS and applications on a new array versus messing around with all the cloning / expansion options.

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I do not intend to install it all over again, but make a copy of the old RAID, install it in the new one, and then delete the old RAID.

So I can see the full capacity of the new disks, since the b140i can not do the expansion. I do not know if I explained well.