Can I expand RAID5 non-destructively?

[JBruyet]

Hey all, I have a server that I just noticed is nearing capacity. I'm running a RAID5 array and would like to add a few more drives to give me some time to find a permanent solution to this problem. I've heard that expanding an HP array can be done but it's a destructive process requiring all software to be reinstalled. Is this true? It's a ProLiant DL360 G5.

Thanks,

Joe B

 

[blister911]

A couple of questions:
What OS are you running?
Are the drives internal to the DL360 or in an external chassis?




Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

 

[JBruyet]

I'm running Windows Server 2003R2 and they're internal drives. Hmmm... I think it's the 400 array controller but I'll have to check that out to make sure.

Thanks,

Joe B

 

[blister911]

IS the OS on these drives?


Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

 

[blister911]

Also, is it 1 drive letter ( C:\ ) or multiple drives and if multiple logical drives which are you looking to expand?


Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

 

[JBruyet]

Hey blister, the array is setup as one logical drive and yeah that's the C: drive. The OS and everything else is on this one drive.

Thanks,

Joe B

 

[blister911]

If I remember correctly, you canNOT increase the size of the partition that contains the OS, without doing some type of a backup/restore process.

Maybe someone else will join the thread an give you a little more insight into dealing with the OS partition.


Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

 

[JBruyet]

Ugh! Well, I think I read something like that in the past but I was hoping maybe it was just a bad dream. I'm also working on a plan B.

Thanks,

Jobee

 

[technome]

Acronis, Paragon , Easeus etc and some free third party partition managers can resize the system partition, either by utilizing unallocated space or by shrinking another partition, and using the freed up space to increase the partition containing the OS. Personally I use Paragon or Acronis, never had an issue. Since you have one partition, once the drives are added to the array and incorporated into the raid5 at the controller level, at the OS level the added space will appear as unallocated and it is easy to expand the OS volume with the third party partition utils.



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[JBruyet]

Hi technome, unfortunately everything was on one big partition--no free space to work with. I have since taken care of the problem. Thanks for the input.

Thanks,

Joe B