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XrayDoc88's avatar
Jan 05, 2019
Solved

RAID Confusion on ReadNAS 628X

I currently have 5 of my 8 drive bays all filled with identical HDDs.  They are configured in "X-RAID".  I have two questions:

 

1. What is the difference, if any, between X-RAID and RAID 5?

2. I currently get 4 x my drive size as usuable storage space.  If I add a sixth HDD, will I get 5 x my drive size as usuable space, or will the NAS automatically convert to RAID 6?

 

Thanks!

  • Hi XrayDoc88,

     

    1. What is the difference, if any, between X-RAID and RAID 5?

    X-RAID is the auto-expandable RAID technology that is available only on ReadyNAS systems. It uses the standard RAID levels, RAID 1, 5 and 6. 

     

    With two disks, it will use RAID-1. With three disks, it will use RAID-5. With 4 or more disks, you can optionally select X-RAID with dual redundancy(RAID-6).

     

    With X-RAID, you can add storage space without reformatting the drives or moving the data from another location. You may check this link for more information about X-RAID.

     

    2. I currently get 4 x my drive size as usuable storage space.  If I add a sixth HDD, will I get 5 x my drive size as usuable space, or will the NAS automatically convert to RAID 6?

    If the volume is configured with X-RAID with single redundancy (RAID-5), it will not automatically convert to RAID-6 when you add the 6th drive. Changing to X-RAID with dual redundancy (RAID-6) would require you to destroy and recreate the volume.

     

    Regards,

11 Replies

  • JohnCM_S's avatar
    JohnCM_S
    NETGEAR Employee Retired

    Hi XrayDoc88,

     

    1. What is the difference, if any, between X-RAID and RAID 5?

    X-RAID is the auto-expandable RAID technology that is available only on ReadyNAS systems. It uses the standard RAID levels, RAID 1, 5 and 6. 

     

    With two disks, it will use RAID-1. With three disks, it will use RAID-5. With 4 or more disks, you can optionally select X-RAID with dual redundancy(RAID-6).

     

    With X-RAID, you can add storage space without reformatting the drives or moving the data from another location. You may check this link for more information about X-RAID.

     

    2. I currently get 4 x my drive size as usuable storage space.  If I add a sixth HDD, will I get 5 x my drive size as usuable space, or will the NAS automatically convert to RAID 6?

    If the volume is configured with X-RAID with single redundancy (RAID-5), it will not automatically convert to RAID-6 when you add the 6th drive. Changing to X-RAID with dual redundancy (RAID-6) would require you to destroy and recreate the volume.

     

    Regards,

      • Sandshark's avatar
        Sandshark
        Sensei

        Unless something has changed in recent OS versions, adding a 7th drive will convert to RAID6 unless you first switch out of XRAID.

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