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Forum Discussion
Looking for suggestions on setting up my ReadyNAS314, and choosing the right RAID setup
I've been using my ReadyNAS 314 for a long time now, with 4 x 3TB WD drives, in a RAID 5 configuration. Recently I started running out of space, so I bought a single 10TB drive to replace one of the ...
Not only the starting point but also the history.
For example, if your existing volume contains 2 HDDs of 2TB in RAID1. Depending on the history, you might actually be able to add a 1TB HDD in the volume!
- If you created the volume initially with two HDDs of 1TB, then upgraded both HDDs to 2TB while being in X-RAID, there are actually two partitions of 1TB(ish) on each HDD. If you add a 1TB HDD, the volume will expand! From RAID1 (11) + RAID1 (11) to RAID5 (111) to RAID1 (11).
- If you did the same thing but performed the upgrade of the HDDs while being in Flex-RAID, then instead of creating a secondary array, it extended the existing array in place. Therefore, you won't be able to add a 1TB HDD. From RAID1 (22) to RAID1 (22) + unused (1).
These are based on the expansion rules of FW 6.5.0. Some things may have changed since.
I had posted the results of a lengthy experiment here somewhere.
For example, if your existing volume contains 2 HDDs of 2TB in RAID1. Depending on the history, you might actually be able to add a 1TB HDD in the volume!
- If you created the volume initially with two HDDs of 1TB, then upgraded both HDDs to 2TB while being in X-RAID, there are actually two partitions of 1TB(ish) on each HDD. If you add a 1TB HDD, the volume will expand! From RAID1 (11) + RAID1 (11) to RAID5 (111) to RAID1 (11).
- If you did the same thing but performed the upgrade of the HDDs while being in Flex-RAID, then instead of creating a secondary array, it extended the existing array in place. Therefore, you won't be able to add a 1TB HDD. From RAID1 (22) to RAID1 (22) + unused (1).
These are based on the expansion rules of FW 6.5.0. Some things may have changed since.
I had posted the results of a lengthy experiment here somewhere.
jak0lantash wrote:
Not only the starting point but also the history.
Agreed.
I think people are really over thinking this. Thinking of things most people arn't going to try. They're going to pop their drives in, when needing more space pop in larger HDD's. How many people really are going to go backwards? I have a bunch of smaller HDD's laying around here from over the years. never have I thought, hey, let me throw that small drive into the NAS. How many are using RAID 50 or 60? As long as a person knows equal or greater size HDD as a replacment, then for the most part the Calculator works just fine. If it's a new setup, it should also be fine. Again for most users. You're always going to find loopholes. The program is at least smart enough to switch from XRaid 5 to XRaid 6 when you get to a 7th HDD. I think in general most people are using XRaid 1, 5 or a even larger NAS, 6.
If you're using Flex-Raid, or some off beat Raid format on your NAS, I'm pretty sure at that point you know what you're doing. You're not some clueless person. I'm sure there's a few exceptions to the rule. For the most part and most people, the Raid Calculator works more then well enough. Maybe a few things could be made more clear on the page.
JBDragon1 wrote:
I have a bunch of smaller HDD's laying around here from over the years. never have I thought, hey, let me throw that small drive into the NAS.
I've seen lots of posts over the years from people who've done exactly that.
I am thinking that it would better for Netgear customers if they had a way to confirm their plan before they purchase disks, or at least before they start swapping stuff around.
Like most things, it's always better to do some research FIRST before just jumping in blind. That can in general turn out bad. Be it a house, a Car, a Surround Sound Reciever, or a NAS.
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