Add drive to 3200 array, proliant 1600

[kgerhart]

We have a Proliant 1600 server, with a Smart Array 3200 controller. Currently have (3) 18.2 gig drives, raid 5, formatted as a 4gig C drive, and a 32gig D drive. I would like to add a 4th 18gig drive into the array, but am not sure how to go about doing this. Do I just plug it in and then go into the Compaq Array config utility and add the drive to the array?
Can I also add this 18gigs to the existing 32gig partition without reformatting?
We are using NT 4.0 as the o/s.

 

[byteya]

Yup, just plug it in. The Compaq Array config utility will recognize it and ask you if you want to add it to the current array or create a new one. I would do this at an off-peak time since it has to re-stripe the array.

Just remember with NT 4.0, you will have to create a new drive, can't add to the current drives unless you have a 3rd party utility.

As always, backup first. I had one case where data was lost doing an expansion of an array.

*J*

 

[kgerhart]

thank you!
Your help is much appreciated, and I will use your suggestions.
Kent

 

[92Shawnster]

You can do a "Volume Add" in NT4.0 to a currently configured NTFS drive once it is added to the RAID stripe. When you open disk manager, you'll see an unused 18 gig portion, single click on that and while holding the ctrl key, single click on the drive you want to expand and then do a volume add from the menu.