ReadyNAS RN214 - WD RED 4TB NAS internal drive - I HAVE 64 MB Cache drives, can I hot swap with 256?

[chathams]

Hey, I have the RN214.  

I currently have Western Digital RED 4TB internal hard drives (x3). 

I'm getting a 'data degraded' error and am looking to hot swap. 

I'm currently running 64MB cache drives, can I hot swap them with 256 cache drives?  

The 64MB state that they're the OLD models and the 256 cache are the NEW ones.  

Thanks! 

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@chathams wrote:

I'm currently running 64MB cache drives, can I hot swap them with 256 cache drives?  

The 64MB state that they're the OLD models and the 256 cache are the NEW ones.  

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The cache isn't a problem - but the new WD40EFAX drives are also SMR (shingled magnetic recording). You should google that before you buy.  Their use in RAID arrays is a controversial topic.

The WD40EFAX might work out fine (WD thinks they are ok) - but personally I'd take the more conservative approach and get another WD40EFRX to replace the failed one.  

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@chathams wrote:

I'm currently running 64MB cache drives, can I hot swap them with 256 cache drives?  

The 64MB state that they're the OLD models and the 256 cache are the NEW ones.  

---

The cache isn't a problem - but the new WD40EFAX drives are also SMR (shingled magnetic recording). You should google that before you buy.  Their use in RAID arrays is a controversial topic.

The WD40EFAX might work out fine (WD thinks they are ok) - but personally I'd take the more conservative approach and get another WD40EFRX to replace the failed one.