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Upgrading Drives in a RN316
Hi All, I am looking for confirmation and tips for upgrading the Drive array in my ReadyNas 316, which has been running brilliantly (like the ReadyNas NV+s I had before it). I am cautious because ...
Hope it goes well!
AftaImage wrote:
Plan:
Looking to replace the 4 x 6TB's with 6 new drives (that are on the support matrix).They haven't updated it in a long time, and some of the drive specs are outdated. Generally I recommend ignoring the HCL and going with
- Seagate Ironwolf
- WD Red Plus (not Reds)
- Enterprise Class
WD Red models use SMR technology, and are not well suited for NAS. Many desktop models in the 2-6 TB range are also SMR - you might check the specs, and make sure you didn't accidentally get one.
Personally I test the drives before I install them. I use vendor tools in a Windows PC (Seatools for Seagate, Dashboard or Lifeguard for WDC). I actually prefer the older Lifeguard software for WDC, as it includes a full erase test (which I run after I run the full read test).
FYI, Netgear recommends backing up the data first (and I concur). The array is unprotected during the resyncs, and there is a lot of disk I/O. Every sector on every disk is either read or written on each resync. A drive failure during that process will result in data loss. So it was wise to back up all the data you could.
AftaImage wrote:
5. Once all four drives are replaced, the ReadyNAS will automatically expand to the volume to take advantage of the larger space.Actually expansion will begin after the second upgraded drive is synced. The capacity rule for X-RAID is "sum the drives and subtract the largest".
Keep in mind that the NAS uses TiB units, not TB.
AftaImage wrote:
Q: Just confirming there is nothing I need to do to trigger this?No, nothing you need to do.
AftaImage wrote:
Q: Do I need to take any actions to trigger or be specific about which channel I insert the drive into?No special actions, and it doesn't matter what bay you use.
Hope it goes well!
AftaImage wrote:
Plan:
Looking to replace the 4 x 6TB's with 6 new drives (that are on the support matrix).
They haven't updated it in a long time, and some of the drive specs are outdated. Generally I recommend ignoring the HCL and going with
- Seagate Ironwolf
- WD Red Plus (not Reds)
- Enterprise Class
WD Red models use SMR technology, and are not well suited for NAS. Many desktop models in the 2-6 TB range are also SMR - you might check the specs, and make sure you didn't accidentally get one.
Personally I test the drives before I install them. I use vendor tools in a Windows PC (Seatools for Seagate, Dashboard or Lifeguard for WDC). I actually prefer the older Lifeguard software for WDC, as it includes a full erase test (which I run after I run the full read test).
FYI, Netgear recommends backing up the data first (and I concur). The array is unprotected during the resyncs, and there is a lot of disk I/O. Every sector on every disk is either read or written on each resync. A drive failure during that process will result in data loss. So it was wise to back up all the data you could.
AftaImage wrote:
5. Once all four drives are replaced, the ReadyNAS will automatically expand to the volume to take advantage of the larger space.
Actually expansion will begin after the second upgraded drive is synced. The capacity rule for X-RAID is "sum the drives and subtract the largest".
Keep in mind that the NAS uses TiB units, not TB.
AftaImage wrote:
Q: Just confirming there is nothing I need to do to trigger this?
No, nothing you need to do.
AftaImage wrote:
Q: Do I need to take any actions to trigger or be specific about which channel I insert the drive into?
No special actions, and it doesn't matter what bay you use.
Thanks StephenB,
This is exactly the insight I was looking for. I will start running tests on the drive now now and then kick off the process.
Have an awesome weekend!They haven't updated it in a long time, and some of the drive specs are outdated. Generally I recommend ignoring the HCL and going with
- Seagate Ironwolf
- WD Red Plus (not Reds)
- Enterprise Class
Thanks for the insight. I went for the Seagate Ironwolf, so it's good to hear the recommendation.
Unless your NAS is in FlexRAID mode, you are looking at the wrong instructions. In XRAID, the RAID is going to expand after you replace the first two, then again after the third, and every drive thereafter. That is, from drives 2 on, there will be two syncs. That's a lot of syncing.
Unless you have a specific reason you think the existing drives need to be replaced, I suggest you just add two 6TB's now and wait to swap out the others as it becomes necessary (drive starting to fail or you need more room). That will mean the drives put in later are newer (assuming you've not already bought them), spreading out the chances of failure. Even if you have reason to swap out the existing drives now, why not just do those four and wait to add more as you need the space?
If you are concerned that you need all the same drive type, don't be. The NAS does just fine with a mixture of drive brands/models. It's complain if some are 5400RPM class and some 7200RPM class, but it'll still work (and some WD report as 5400 but are really 7200, anyway).
Hi Sandshark, I am low on space hence the drive to replacement.
I got all 6 drives because of now and future needs (running out of space), and I manage to get a real good deal on all 6 drives at once. I am kicking off the testing today, and fingers cross it all goes well.
Thanks for your insight :).
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