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[MrHaugen]

Hello

I guess the subject says the most really. I would like go get a good expensive raid controller first. That leaves me with the money to buy about 3 disks. Eventualy I think I'll be ending up with 8 disks in an array.
Is it possible to add one disk at a time in Raid 5 arrays? So I don't have to wipe the HDD's clean and rebuild the array? With each new disk?

Have searched a long time for this answer but have yet to stumble upon one.

- Carl

[benn600]

I'm building a 16 drive RAID server and the Promise card I'm buying claims it can add space.  Sorry but I'll never have the chance to use that feature, though, because I plan on starting maxed out.  You could get the 8port Promise RAID controller for a reasonable price...$400 or less I think.

[MrHaugen]

Sounds good. I'll check with the computer dealer when I'm buying one, just to be shure.
Let's just hope it does not affect preformance.

[MrHaugen]

I just found a 80$ PCI SATA Raid 5 controller. If I buy this now, will I be able to transfer my array to a new, more expensive 8 og 16 port PCI-express raid controller later?

Anyone got any experience in moving arrays?

[benn600]

It is probably a software raid card, without a true (or powerful) processor.

[MrHaugen]

You bet it's a software raid controller. But that's not the question. I asked if it's possible to move the array between cards.
Are there restrictions according to manufacturers and of file systems used? I have a feeling there might not be a universal array information format 

[johnnyboy]

You bet it's a software raid controller. But that's not the question. I asked if it's possible to move the array between cards.
Are there restrictions according to manufacturers and of file systems used? I have a feeling there might not be a universal array information format 

Not sure 100% but heard alot about different chipsets not being compatible so you wouldn't be able to transfer an array from one card to another.
Best I can offer though.

[MrHaugen]

Allright. I'll just deal with the data loss the day it comes then.I'll porbably be able to store most of it on different disks while I'm moving the array and rebuilding it.

[newsposter]

Allright. I'll just deal with the data loss the day it comes then.

If that's the case why bother with raid at all?

[MrHaugen]

If that's the case why bother with raid at all?

Because at that stage (when I have filled up my cheap 4 port software raid controller) I will have 1.5 TB (4 x 500GB in Raid 5). As I today have about 2 x 250 GB and 2 x 120 GB pata disks. I will have about half of the space to fill over the data that I really need to save. When the day comes and I buy a 8 or 16 port hardware raid controller I will transfer everything else than DVD's. The DVD's that don't fit, I'll rip again.

I could wait till I can afford the card, but at that time I have probably gotten 2 mote 500 GB sata disks, and have a even bigger problem moving the data. Thats why.
And I always have the hope that I can move my old array directly over to the new controller.