Flex-Raid on Duo v1 with 2tb, 1tb drives

you can setup volume as you wish,but you must backup all data first because you need to plug both of disks in unit for intial volume setup in raid 1,after volume is created,choose adding volume and select raid 0.when everything is setup,you will get 2 volumes(c and d)

The readynas will only use disks that are compatible. Make sure the model numbers are compatible, it will reformat and repartition them it self into its liking

--1tb disk--
First partition: 2gb (4gb in intel units)
Second partition: 256mb (512 in intel units)
Third partition: ~1 tb

---2tb disk, when used in system with 1tb disk--
First partition: 2gb (4gb in intel units)
Second partition: 256mb (512 in intel units)
Third partition: ~1tb
Fourth partition: ~1tb

---2tb disk, when used in system with 2tb disk--
First partition: 2gb (4gb in intel units)
Second partition: 256mb (512 in intel units)
Third partition: ~2tb

I would just use XRAID so that you can expand it later. With flexraid every time you put in a set of new disks, you can only make a new volume. However I think its best to only have one volume thus use XRAID.

Here is my calculator that can help you calculate a single volume for XRAID or a single volume for FLEX RAID. So if you have a flex raid, just put in the disks that you will have in one volume.

http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/20641

http://www.kossboss.com/volsizecalcsite
and then just click the link to get to the online calculator

So if you want to calculate a flex raid system with 2 volume one with 1tb disk & 2tb disk and another with two 2tb disk.

Make a calculation for volume one first: 1tb and 2tb so put in 1000 and 2000 in the disk boxes
Make a calculation for volume two: 2tb and 2tb so put in 2000 and 2000 in the disk boxes

The total size of both volumes just add up the sizes you see in RAID5 area(even though it will act as raid1, calculation is similar but I wont get into that)

If you use XRAID with that setup, just put in 1000,2000,2000 and 2000 in the disk boxes.

Remember to select SPARC unit since the unit is a SPARC.

Remember max size of disks on SPARC is 2tb. Also INTEL units currently support only 3tB drives, hardware compatability for bigger drives will probably soon come, im not sure, but only for intel. The SPARC units and architecture simply doesnt support GPT so thats why your limited to 2tb, its not a mistake that NETGEAR made, its just a limitation of the chipset architecture back in the days SPARCS were coming out.

BUT to get back on topic, the READYNAS partitions the disks based on its own algorithms

Thanks guys! I will back up first and proceed as de niro suggested.