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RN104 New Volume
Could not see this particular problem, forgive me if I have missed it and started another thread for nothing.
I have a new RN104, I started it for the first time with a new 4TB disk and followed the instructions on the little set up guide. including registering online. Having realised it was not simple to add more disks I decided to buy another disk and add it before I put anything on the memory. I loaded the second disk 4TB again, new and identical to the first, did the factory reset, and waited 'several' hours until the volume was rebuilt. The machine shows I have 2 disks (2x4TB) but only lists available space as 3.63TB, same as before I added the 2nd disk. I have done the factory reset again and waited the 12 hours or so but it still says the same. I have included a screenshot
I know a bit about computers but nothing about NAS and I am using this forum as my guide.
I have a new RN104, I started it for the first time with a new 4TB disk and followed the instructions on the little set up guide. including registering online. Having realised it was not simple to add more disks I decided to buy another disk and add it before I put anything on the memory. I loaded the second disk 4TB again, new and identical to the first, did the factory reset, and waited 'several' hours until the volume was rebuilt. The machine shows I have 2 disks (2x4TB) but only lists available space as 3.63TB, same as before I added the 2nd disk. I have done the factory reset again and waited the 12 hours or so but it still says the same. I have included a screenshot
I know a bit about computers but nothing about NAS and I am using this forum as my guide.
- With RAID-1 the two disks are mirrored, so adding the second drive does not add capacity - it adds redundancy. If you hot-insert a third 4 TB drive the space will increase to 7.2 TiB, and the NAS will switch to RAID-5. You still have redundancy which protects against a single drive failure.
If you wanted jbod (no RAID) then you should start over with another factory reset (with only one drive installed), switch to FLEXRAID/JBOD, and hot-insert the second drive.
Adding a new disk to the RN104 is easy, I am puzzled by your comment on "not simple to add more disks".
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- With RAID-1 the two disks are mirrored, so adding the second drive does not add capacity - it adds redundancy. If you hot-insert a third 4 TB drive the space will increase to 7.2 TiB, and the NAS will switch to RAID-5. You still have redundancy which protects against a single drive failure.
If you wanted jbod (no RAID) then you should start over with another factory reset (with only one drive installed), switch to FLEXRAID/JBOD, and hot-insert the second drive.
Adding a new disk to the RN104 is easy, I am puzzled by your comment on "not simple to add more disks". - Thanks I will do as you say. I thought just adding new disks would change the volume and expand the capacity instantly, I did not think it out, with some of the operating system using the disks.
I will take out both disks, do a factory reset, switch from RAID. Where can I find the exact procedure for hot-insert, I want to get it right, power on or off etc. - Ok, I have done as you said and the volume has now gone up to 7.27GB, thanks very much sir
Well, to be clear, it did change the volume. Capacity didn't expand, but that was not related to the operating system at all. If you want to understand it better, you need to do some research on RAID.martyn20 wrote: Thanks I will do as you say. I thought just adding new disks would change the volume and expand the capacity instantly, I did not think it out, with some of the operating system using the disks - I have been looking for some help on the same lines -
I have a ReadyNas 104 which had the default XRaid setup with 2X3TB and a 4TB HDD Disks installed. My intial setup was 2X3TB and then I hot added a 4 TB drive. It seemed to increase the space as I remember. However after a few weeks of adding the 4TB, the unit developed minor power supply issue (not related to the additional storage in any case) and I received a new RN104 unit (replacement). The device arrives in a day, I have my old HDD with me (with all data) however now I am confused on how to setup this new device so that I do not lose any of my data and this volume can be rebuild the way it was with the previous setup I was running.
Anyone who has ever tried this ? Can someone give me some steps / guidance on how to go about setting this up ?
Much appreciate if anyone can help!!
Thanks
Manav
If you mean that you have all the hard drives, then the best procedure ismanavjs wrote: I have been looking for some help on the same lines -
I have a ReadyNas 104 which had the default XRaid setup with 2X3TB and a 4TB HDD Disks installed. My intial setup was 2X3TB and then I hot added a 4 TB drive. It seemed to increase the space as I remember. However after a few weeks of adding the 4TB, the unit developed minor power supply issue (not related to the additional storage in any case) and I received a new RN104 unit (replacement). The device arrives in a day, I have my old HDD with me (with all data) however now I am confused on how to setup this new device so that I do not lose any of my data and this volume can be rebuild the way it was with the previous setup I was running.
Anyone who has ever tried this ? Can someone give me some steps / guidance on how to go about setting this up ?
Much appreciate if anyone can help!!
Thanks
Manav
(a) install a scratch disk in the new RN104, and install the same firmware you had on the old.
(b) shut down the RN104, and insert all the old hard drives (ideally in the same slots as the original, but that is not strictly necessary).
(c) turn on the RN104, and it should come back up with the original volume and settings.- Thanks StephenB for the revert - I see your awesome work / knowledge all over the forums and THANK YOU for getting back to me -
Yes I have all the Hard Drives - the data has not been lost as it was the RN104 Unit which had developed power issues. Thankfully I could get a replacement unit soon enough.
(a) - What is a scratch disk ? I do not remember the exact firmware, however I see 6.1.7 from the recently visited tabs - not sure if that is valid. I have other info (i.e. configuration, IP etc.) still on my PC - would this help ?
If you were running 6.1.7 before, and the new NAS has 6.1.4 in its flash, then when you power up the NAS will try to downgrade what's on your disks to 6.1.4.manavjs wrote: What is a scratch disk ? I do not remember the exact firmware, however I see 6.1.7 from the recently visited tabs - not sure if that is valid. I have other info (i.e. configuration, IP etc.) still on my PC - would this help ?
A scratch disk is any old SATA disk you aren't using. The idea is that you install on that first, then install 6.1.7 on the NAS (assuming its not there already). Then when you insert your old drives, the NAS won't attempt to downgrade or upgrade your software.
Make sure you insert the old drives with the NAS powered down.- Hey thanks! I will look for a Scratch Disk - I guess one of my old laptops can be useful.
So basically I setup the NAS with this Scratch Disk and then downgrade / upgrade firmware based on this disk in the Unit. And then insert my original disks and they should be able to create the same old volume that I had. I guess this should sum up what you have suggested.
Will try this and will get back in a few days.
Once again - much appreciated.
Manav S
Close, but its actually simpler than that. The new RN104 just boots up from the old disks. Nothing is being re-created.manavjs wrote: And then insert my original disks and they should be able to create the same old volume that I had. I guess this should sum up what you have suggested.
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