RE: Adding a disk to a RAID array

Elizabeth,

I'm going to tell you the same thing I said before.

Put 2 cheap BIG (100+GB) IDE drives in the box.  Let Linux do the RAID for
you, software RAID.  Once this is up, move all the data from the old data
partition over to the new dataNEW partition.  Rename the old partition to
dataOLD and rename the new partition from dataNEW to data.  There.  Problem
solved.

One last thing.  For backup, put a BIG IDE drive in another cheap cheap
cheap old old old system unit, load linux on it, put it on the network, and
do your backups first to this sytem and then to tape.  Then you will
basically have on-line backup in the event of a data drive failure or
someone deleted that oh-so-important file (probably their resume).

Good luck.

stew


[email protected] wrote:
> Bill,
>
> Yeah, that is what I was hoping for.  I wish I was lucky enough to be
> able to have the funds to have another system that I could test the
> process out on.  However, being a state funded institution most funds
> go to medical research and education and I get what's left over and
> have to do the best I can with that.  Unfortunately the data
> partition is what I need raided the most.  Research data and faculty
> teaching information is contained there.  I have people who freak out
> big time when there is a network problem and can't access the box -
> they are banging at my door wanting to make sure that their data
> hasn't been lost.  Looks like I am going to have to take a whole new
> look at the process of what I need to do.  I may even plan upgrading
> to RH8 and upgrading the RAID controller card to one recommended by
> Adaptec to replace the one I have as well as replacing the drives
> with larger ones even though I have 4 matched drives already and hope
> I can get the funds.  Like I need all of this headache with all I am
> being required to do now in order to get all of my systems compliant
> with Federal and State regulations like HIPAA etc.  I am going to
> have to lock myself in my office to plan out the next couple of
> months just to keep current with the have to do's.
>
> Elizabeth Martin
>
> Bill Gradwohl wrote:
>
>> So you are trying to expand an existing array. Lots of older
>> controllers had no way to expand an existing array. Those that did
>> claim to do so failed under many conditions. Very recent controllers
>> are much improved, but that's not a description of DPT.
>>
>> You are more trusting than I am. Candidly, even if I had the manual
>> in hand I wouldn't try to expand a RAID array on a production box
>> unless I could test it out first on the EXACT same hardware in a
>> test environment.
>>
>> Have you considered, and does the controller BIOS support, just
>> adding a non RAID drive to the controller and using it all by itself
>> in a non RAID fashion? Even that is risky because you don't know
>> what the controllers BIOS will do with it. I had one controller
>> (can't remember which, but it was IDE) step on the array at boot up.
>> No chance to take evasive action.
>>
>> If you are running SCSI drives, does that also mean you have a
>> second controller for a tape drive? Not a second channel, but a
>> whole new controller that's already in the same box. How about
>> spinning that drive up on the separate controller.
>>
>> As you can see, I'm trying to do anything but touch the array
>> because what the books say will work many times don't.
>>
>> Bill Gradwohl
>> [email protected]
>> (817) 224-9400 x211
>> www.ycc.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> enigma-list mailing list
>> [email protected]
>> https://listman.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/enigma-list


---
Outgoing SofTEC USA mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.461 / Virus Database: 260 - Release Date: 3/10/2003