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Forum Discussion
Can I populate a ReadyNAS Ultra 4 with 10 TB HDDs?
RNDU4000 - ReadyNAS Ultra 4, 4 x 3TB WD Reds, firmware 4.2.31.
OK, so I’m looking into the possibility of replacing 4 x 3TB WD Reds in my ReadyNAS RNDU4000 Ultra 4 with 4 x 10TB WD Reds. I’d back up all data to external storage and perform a ‘factory reset’ with the new unpopulated HDDs. According to the Netgear Raid Calculator this should provide me with 27.2 TiB storage in X-RAID (raid5) configuration.
However I note, in the latest hardware compatibility tables for the RNDU4000, the maximum size checked was 4TB back in 2016. Does that mean there is a restriction in either hardware or software that would mean 10 TB HDDs either wouldn’t work at all, or I wouldn’t be able to achieve the full 27.2 TiB as indicated by the Raid Calculator?
I see that others have upgraded their RNDU4000 to OS6. Is this necessary in order to support 10 TB drives? If so would the x86_64 (version 6.9.1) be the correct version?
I currently use my NAS split between AOMEI backup duties and as a Media Server. I am currently using Logitech Media Server, but I do not see a version specifically for OS6.
(Any guidance as to whether the currently used LMS Netgear ReadyNAS Pro Installer Package (i386) would be compatible for the media server? There are also LMS ‘Installer Package (Sparc)’ and ‘Duo/NV V2 Installer (ARM)’ versions available together with LMS versions for other Linux distributions).
Are there any other considerations I should look at? Which way to go? Any help would be much appreciated.
17 Replies
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rmgalley wrote:
Does that mean there is a restriction in either hardware or software that would mean 10 TB HDDs either wouldn’t work at all, or I wouldn’t be able to achieve the full 27.2 TiB as indicated by the Raid Calculator?
There are two expansion limits -
- you cannot expand a volume over 16 TiB
- you cannot grow a volume more than 8 TB from it's original size
You will therefore need to do a fresh factory install if you stick with 4.2.31. It should create the full 30 TB (27.2 TiB) volume, since all disks are of equal size, so no vertical expansion is needed. I say should because I don't recall any posts here from anyone using this disk size with OS 4.2.x. You wouldn't be able to expand after that (because of the first constraint).
Since you are going to need a fresh install anyway, you'd be better off switching to OS-6. That would give you the ability to expand later on, plus OS-6 features. It also gives you SMBv3 support, which is becoming more and more important as Microsoft is deprecating the SMBv1 protocol used in OS 4.2.x.
If you do switch to OS-6, you should install the currently shipping version (6.9.1 at the moment, with 6.9.2 in beta).
rmgalley wrote:
I am currently using Logitech Media Server, but I do not see a version specifically for OS6.
There is an app for it here: http://apps.readynas.com/pages/?page_id=9 Though I haven't used it. Hopefully someone who does will confirm if it installs with the current firmware.
Hi StephenB,
Thank you for the very helpful advice. I will make changes in a step wise fashion.
I’ll initially purchase two 10 TB WD Reds to verify there are no problems. This arrangement will provide slightly more capacity than I currently have. Once data is backed up I’ll stay with 4.2.31 to begin with. If all is OK I’ll start afresh and try upgrading to OS-6 for its more up-to-date security features.
If I’m starting with unpopulated, unformatted disks do I access the NAS in the usual way via RAIDar/Frontview ‘Setup’ - then ‘System/Update/Local’ and navigate to the 6.9.1 image then ‘Upload and verify’? Are there any other steps which need to be taken prior to attempting this?
I’ll try out the version of Logitech Media Server NT from the Get Apps page.
Another thought occurs to me. If OS-6 is more resource intensive would doubling the RAM in the Ultra 4 to 2 GB be possible or of benefit?
I finances allow I’d eventually like to change to a RN424. If the Ultra 4 had been upgraded to OS-6 would I be able to simply transfer, in order, the HDDs from the Ultra 4 to the RN424 or would backing up and starting from scratch again be necessary?
Thanking you in anticipation.
rmgalley wrote:
I’ll initially purchase two 10 TB WD Reds to verify there are no problems. This arrangement will provide slightly more capacity than I currently have. Once data is backed up I’ll stay with 4.2.31 to begin with. If all is OK I’ll start afresh and try upgrading to OS-6 for its more up-to-date security features.
That makes sense, though it might go a bit quicker if you start with 1x10TB installed (it eliminates waiting for the first sync). Note that the conversion will require a factory reset (the details are in a link below).
It does make sense to keep your old disks intact (and labeled by slot). It is possible to revert back to 4.2.31, and boot with the old disks installed. So it gives you another safety net on top of the backup. If you want to do this, just power down the NAS and remove all disks at once (which you are planning to do anyway to check out the 10 TB drives).
rmgalley wrote:
If I’m starting with unpopulated, unformatted disks do I access the NAS in the usual way via RAIDar/Frontview ‘Setup’ - then ‘System/Update/Local’ and navigate to the 6.9.1 image then ‘Upload and verify’? Are there any other steps which need to be taken prior to attempting this?
You can't upgrade directly to OS-6. You can find the steps for OS-6 conversion here: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Using-your-ReadyNAS/Ultra-6-OS-Upgrade-from-4-2-30-to-OS-6/m-p/1181060/highlight/true#M120724
rmgalley wrote:
Another thought occurs to me. If OS-6 is more resource intensive would doubling the RAM in the Ultra 4 to 2 GB be possible or of benefit?
1 GB seems to be adequate at present, but currently shipping OS-6 platforms have at least 2 GB of RAM. So it is reasonable to upgrade the memory as part of the conversion.
rmgalley wrote:
If finances allow I’d eventually like to change to a RN424. If the Ultra 4 had been upgraded to OS-6 would I be able to simply transfer, in order, the HDDs from the Ultra 4 to the RN424 or would backing up and starting from scratch again be necessary?
You'll be able to migrate the disks as you describe - you won't need to start over.
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