DUO expansion problem

First confirm your model number via this link: http://www.rnasguide.com/2012/01/09/how ... -or-nv-v2/

If it is running 5.x.x firmware, then it is compatible with the WD30EFRX.

But if the DUO is running 4.1.x firmware then it does not support 3 TB drives. Since you talk about 4K alignment, I am thinking you have a DUO v1 with 4.1.x firmware. If so, you simply can't go to 3 TB drives, you are maxed out now. So you'd need a new NAS. An RN102 is much faster than your duo, and is quite inexpensive.

So I think your next step is to switch off the NAS and install the two original drives (in their original slots if possible). Then power up, and confirm your data is still intact. Check with RAIDar right after booting up, and if it seems to be doing a factory install immediately power it down. There's about a 5 minute window to check.

Then invest in a second NAS. You can split your data across them both, or use the duo to back up critical data. I'd go the latter route, and rebuild the duo in jbod mode after the migration to the new unit. That would give you two 2 TB volumes, which should be enough to back up the new NAS.

Hi StephenB,

I'm afraid you're absolutely correct. I was under the impression that I had a V2, but as I've just updates to 4.1.14 I'm proven wrong :oops:
As to the proposal to install the old driver I'm ahead of you. That was my first action after trying the new drives. So next step wil be to hunt down a new Netgear NAS as I'm quite happy with the performance. And as my network is bult around Netgear equipment why change :neener:

Thanks for your speedy respons!

BR / Bjorn

The RN102 is reasonable, but in general leaving some empty slots makes future expansion cheaper. So an RN104 might be more economical long term (starting it out with 2x3TB). You can expect around 70 MB/s read speed and 50 MB/s write speed - a lot faster than the duo v1. That is with antivirus turned off.

An RN314 will give still better performance (similar to the x86 ultra). Though it is more expensive of course.

Worth considering for sure. Would it be possible to start the new NAS with the old 2 TB disc with all data and then perform an expansion with the new 3TB disc, and would the choice of new version of NAS dictate this possibility ( as they're using different CPU platforms I'd expect this )?

You could only migrate your array to another Sparc NAS. Sparc NAS units are limited to 2TB disks.

We do have a data recovery procedure but that is a last resort when the Sparc NAS e.g. has failed and won't respond at all to attempts to power it on.

Best to get a new NAS with new disks and transfer the data across your network.

Hi mdgm, and thanks for the clarification. I guessed as much but wanted to make sure. And this of course open up for going with the RN104 suggested by StephenB.
Big Thanks for the swift responses to my queries. Great forum!! :thumbsup: