Migrating from single sata to raid 5

Hi,
I'm planning to migrate a old SBS 2003 server from the single sata
drive they have at the moment to a RAID 5 configuration with 3 drives
(including the original drive).
I have Acronis backups of the whole server and could just build the
array clean and then recover from the backup image.
But I was wondering, never having done this before, if it's possible
to somehow just attach the existing drive to the raid controller and
let it take care of building the RAID 5 array by itself? Or does the
management software which usually comes with raid card allow you to do
this?

Thanks.

Lanwench
Wed May 07 10:46:28 PDT 2008

davidb <dablair76@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm planning to migrate a old SBS 2003 server from the single sata
> drive they have at the moment to a RAID 5 configuration with 3 drives
> (including the original drive).

Youch. Don't use the original drive. Hang onto it for safekeeping and get
them a new one. I'd also configure a hotspare (four drives total) if you
have the option.

> I have Acronis backups of the whole server and could just build the
> array clean and then recover from the backup image.

Acronis TrueImage Server Echo with Universal Restore will work fine for
you - if you have the SATA controller driver to insert when prompted.

> But I was wondering, never having done this before, if it's possible
> to somehow just attach the existing drive to the raid controller and
> let it take care of building the RAID 5 array by itself?

Nope, unless you want to use the existing drive as your OS & add the SATA
RAID as additional storage.

> Or does the
> management software which usually comes with raid card allow you to do
> this?

You would need to have the OS installed first.
>
> Thanks.

Cliff
Wed May 07 10:57:18 PDT 2008

That really depends on the raid controller. I've seen ones that do, and
ones that don't. If yours does, it will literally redistribute the existing
data across the two other drives you are adding (controllers don't care
about file systems.) So you'd have to then expand the partition size or add
new partitions from within windows. Check your raid controller's
documentation for more info though...as I said, could go either way.

-Cliff


"davidb" <dablair76@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:3e9cadce-b069-4c57-989f-288bc4fe1757@2g2000hsn.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
> I'm planning to migrate a old SBS 2003 server from the single sata
> drive they have at the moment to a RAID 5 configuration with 3 drives
> (including the original drive).
> I have Acronis backups of the whole server and could just build the
> array clean and then recover from the backup image.
> But I was wondering, never having done this before, if it's possible
> to somehow just attach the existing drive to the raid controller and
> let it take care of building the RAID 5 array by itself? Or does the
> management software which usually comes with raid card allow you to do
> this?
>
> Thanks.
>

Holz
Wed May 07 11:05:29 PDT 2008

On Wed, 07 May 2008 09:49:59 -0700, davidb wrote:

> Hi,
> I'm planning to migrate a old SBS 2003 server from the single sata drive
> they have at the moment to a RAID 5 configuration with 3 drives
> (including the original drive).
> I have Acronis backups of the whole server and could just build the
> array clean and then recover from the backup image. But I was wondering,
> never having done this before, if it's possible to somehow just attach
> the existing drive to the raid controller and let it take care of
> building the RAID 5 array by itself? Or does the management software
> which usually comes with raid card allow you to do this?
>
> Thanks.

I have done one about 4 months, this is what I ended doing:
1. Added the drives and created the RAID 5.
2. Made sure Windows recognized the the new disk by formatting it and
writing some files to it.
3. Reboot with Acronis CD and cloned the disk.
4. disconnected the SATA and (change the boot priority in the BIOS if
needed).
Boot and make sure that everything works.
5. You can adjust partition size if needed on the new RAID with third
party utilities or the Linux rescue CD.
6. Keep the SATA for a week or, just in case you need it.

--
Jerry Maguire: Help me... help you. Help me, help you. ;-)

Leythos
Wed May 07 12:29:30 PDT 2008

In article <3e9cadce-b069-4c57-989f-288bc4fe1757@
2g2000hsn.googlegroups.com>, dablair76@gmail.com says...
> Hi,
> I'm planning to migrate a old SBS 2003 server from the single sata
> drive they have at the moment to a RAID 5 configuration with 3 drives
> (including the original drive).
> I have Acronis backups of the whole server and could just build the
> array clean and then recover from the backup image.
> But I was wondering, never having done this before, if it's possible
> to somehow just attach the existing drive to the raid controller and
> let it take care of building the RAID 5 array by itself? Or does the
> management software which usually comes with raid card allow you to do
> this?

BEFORE you do this, install the RAID controller drivers. If you just
restore the backup to the new RAID array, without the drivers, there is
a good chance that the OS won't see the controller.

If you were doing a RAID-1 you could use the source drive as your source
for the mirror, but in a raid 5 the controller will have to wipe all
drives during the striping/parity.

I would strongly suggest you don't wipe/use the old drive, they are
cheap enough. Make a backup, install RAID controller drivers, make
another good backup, remove drive and store in safe area, install new
drive, make R5 array, restore backup, have fun.

--
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

SuperGumby
Wed May 07 14:03:35 PDT 2008

Which RAID controller?

Some controlers have abilities to do online 'capacity expansion' or even
'raid level migration' (though this is a] rarer and b] more prone to error).

Even so though my approach would be similar to but slightly different than
has been suggested.I would shut down the system and install the RAID
controller with no drives attached, fire up and load drivers, restart to be
sure all is well. I would then shut down and connect the 3 new drives to the
controller, build the RAID5 array and boot off the Acronis CD, copy the
partitions from the standalone drive to the array, disconnect single drive,
see if she boots (she should).

Final step would be after I confirmed all was well with the array to wipe
the original drive and put it into the system as a hotspare (assumes all
drives are same size).

"davidb" <dablair76@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:3e9cadce-b069-4c57-989f-288bc4fe1757@2g2000hsn.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
> I'm planning to migrate a old SBS 2003 server from the single sata
> drive they have at the moment to a RAID 5 configuration with 3 drives
> (including the original drive).
> I have Acronis backups of the whole server and could just build the
> array clean and then recover from the backup image.
> But I was wondering, never having done this before, if it's possible
> to somehow just attach the existing drive to the raid controller and
> let it take care of building the RAID 5 array by itself? Or does the
> management software which usually comes with raid card allow you to do
> this?
>
> Thanks.
>

davidb
Fri May 09 04:09:34 PDT 2008

Hi,
Thanks for all this help!

It's a 'Dell cost effective Raid Controller' marked Adaptec 26105A. I
can't find out if this is capable of doing a migration straight from
the single disk but it says it can migrate from Raid 1 to Raid 5.

I only have the 3 matching disks (much as if it was up to me I'd keep
the orignal disk intact as a fall back, but apparently I have no
choice!!).

I'll install the card on it's own and then install the drivers to the
windows installation first, reboot and make sure everything is ok.

Does this then mean I can build a Raid 1 with the 2 blank disks and
use Acronis to 'clone' from the original disk (still plugged into the
normal SATA port) to the RAID 1 set, making sure this is all working
with the original disk disconnected and then blank it and add it to
the card and migrate to a Raid 5 configuration?

If this all fails then I'll build the Raid 5 array and restore from
Acronis (with Universal Restore).

thanks,
Dave

Lanwench
Fri May 09 06:26:40 PDT 2008

davidb <dablair76@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
> Thanks for all this help!
>
> It's a 'Dell cost effective Raid Controller' marked Adaptec 26105A. I
> can't find out if this is capable of doing a migration straight from
> the single disk but it says it can migrate from Raid 1 to Raid 5.
>
> I only have the 3 matching disks (much as if it was up to me I'd keep
> the orignal disk intact as a fall back, but apparently I have no
> choice!!).

Why on earth not? Get another disk. Seriously. How much does a hard drive
cost, and how much would it cost the company to lose all their data?
>
> I'll install the card on it's own and then install the drivers to the
> windows installation first, reboot and make sure everything is ok.
>
> Does this then mean I can build a Raid 1 with the 2 blank disks and
> use Acronis to 'clone' from the original disk (still plugged into the
> normal SATA port) to the RAID 1 set, making sure this is all working
> with the original disk disconnected and then blank it and add it to
> the card and migrate to a Raid 5 configuration?

Not with any RAID controller I've seen, but that doesn't mean much.
>
> If this all fails then I'll build the Raid 5 array and restore from
> Acronis (with Universal Restore).
>
> thanks,
> Dave

SuperGumby
Fri May 09 09:13:26 PDT 2008

Yeah, that'll work (assuming the 'raid level migration' works). You might
also be able to build the RAID1 from your existing drive and a blank.

Might be quicker just to blow it away and restore from your image though.

Also, you have to think about, or see, how it works. In going from RAID1 to
RAID5 you will be doubling the usable HDD space. This capacity change is at
the RAID container level and depending on the controller (not sure about
CERC) it will not modify the size of drive presented to the OS, the
additional space will be available as an additional apparent drive.
Sometimes however the software that controls the RAID level migration will
adjust the original RAID drive and present the space as additional partition
room on the existing drive.

The Dell PERCs (some, at least) can do raid level migration while the system
is running. I've never quite been comfortable with doing so. Have done it in
testing successfully but when faced with a change to a production server
would take it offline, do the changes without running the OS until done.

"davidb" <dablair76@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:8d12a029-b398-4ad3-8b11-9f24508f0557@y21g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
> Thanks for all this help!
>
> It's a 'Dell cost effective Raid Controller' marked Adaptec 26105A. I
> can't find out if this is capable of doing a migration straight from
> the single disk but it says it can migrate from Raid 1 to Raid 5.
>
> I only have the 3 matching disks (much as if it was up to me I'd keep
> the orignal disk intact as a fall back, but apparently I have no
> choice!!).
>
> I'll install the card on it's own and then install the drivers to the
> windows installation first, reboot and make sure everything is ok.
>
> Does this then mean I can build a Raid 1 with the 2 blank disks and
> use Acronis to 'clone' from the original disk (still plugged into the
> normal SATA port) to the RAID 1 set, making sure this is all working
> with the original disk disconnected and then blank it and add it to
> the card and migrate to a Raid 5 configuration?
>
> If this all fails then I'll build the Raid 5 array and restore from
> Acronis (with Universal Restore).
>
> thanks,
> Dave

SuperGumby
Fri May 09 09:16:54 PDT 2008

Ya needs to get out o' the house more girl :-)

'offline' RAID level migration or capacity expansion aren't exactly common
but have been around a while. The brave get to play with 'online'
adjustments these days.

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eD8UHpdsIHA.4376@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> davidb <dablair76@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi,
>> Thanks for all this help!
>>
>> It's a 'Dell cost effective Raid Controller' marked Adaptec 26105A. I
>> can't find out if this is capable of doing a migration straight from
>> the single disk but it says it can migrate from Raid 1 to Raid 5.
>>
>> I only have the 3 matching disks (much as if it was up to me I'd keep
>> the orignal disk intact as a fall back, but apparently I have no
>> choice!!).
>
> Why on earth not? Get another disk. Seriously. How much does a hard drive
> cost, and how much would it cost the company to lose all their data?
>>
>> I'll install the card on it's own and then install the drivers to the
>> windows installation first, reboot and make sure everything is ok.
>>
>> Does this then mean I can build a Raid 1 with the 2 blank disks and
>> use Acronis to 'clone' from the original disk (still plugged into the
>> normal SATA port) to the RAID 1 set, making sure this is all working
>> with the original disk disconnected and then blank it and add it to
>> the card and migrate to a Raid 5 configuration?
>
> Not with any RAID controller I've seen, but that doesn't mean much.
>>
>> If this all fails then I'll build the Raid 5 array and restore from
>> Acronis (with Universal Restore).
>>
>> thanks,
>> Dave
>
>
>

Lanwench
Fri May 09 12:37:25 PDT 2008

SuperGumby [SBS MVP] <not@your.nellie> wrote:
> Ya needs to get out o' the house more girl :-)

Oh, no kidding. That's an understatement!
>
> 'offline' RAID level migration or capacity expansion aren't exactly
> common but have been around a while. The brave get to play with
> 'online' adjustments these days.

I'm not yet brave enough to put SATA on a production server, either, for
what that's worth. ;-)

(nor foolhardy enough to do any of this without keeping a firm hold on the
existing hard drive and retaining it "as is" while this sort of work is
being done).


>
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> <lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote in
> message news:eD8UHpdsIHA.4376@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> davidb <dablair76@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>> Thanks for all this help!
>>>
>>> It's a 'Dell cost effective Raid Controller' marked Adaptec 26105A.
>>> I can't find out if this is capable of doing a migration straight
>>> from the single disk but it says it can migrate from Raid 1 to Raid
>>> 5. I only have the 3 matching disks (much as if it was up to me I'd
>>> keep the orignal disk intact as a fall back, but apparently I have
>>> no choice!!).
>>
>> Why on earth not? Get another disk. Seriously. How much does a hard
>> drive cost, and how much would it cost the company to lose all their
>> data?
>>>
>>> I'll install the card on it's own and then install the drivers to
>>> the windows installation first, reboot and make sure everything is
>>> ok. Does this then mean I can build a Raid 1 with the 2 blank disks and
>>> use Acronis to 'clone' from the original disk (still plugged into
>>> the normal SATA port) to the RAID 1 set, making sure this is all
>>> working with the original disk disconnected and then blank it and
>>> add it to the card and migrate to a Raid 5 configuration?
>>
>> Not with any RAID controller I've seen, but that doesn't mean much.
>>>
>>> If this all fails then I'll build the Raid 5 array and restore from
>>> Acronis (with Universal Restore).
>>>
>>> thanks,
>>> Dave