Removing a drive from a software RAID 5 array. Win2K3 server

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Calab

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I have a Windows 2003 Server that currently has five 500gig drives in a RAID
5 array. The array is healthy.

Unfortunately, we need temporarily need a 500gig drive for an issue
unrelated to this machine.

Other than losing the protection of RAID 5, would there be any issues if we
shut down the server, removed one drive, and brought the server back online?
If we format the removed drive and use it elsewhere can we still be able to
reinstall it into the server and let the array rebuild itself?

From what I understand, this should all be fine, as long as we don't have
another drive fail in the array while a drive is removed. I also know
performance will suffer while the array is missing a drive.

Does this all sound right?
 
Re: Removing a drive from a software RAID 5 array. Win2K3 server

Hello Calab,

As you said, performance will go down. You can reconnect it after you are
ready and it should rebuilt without problem, will be the same as you replace
a broken disc.
I would really think about buying another same drive, so you also have one
spare if one breaks.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> I have a Windows 2003 Server that currently has five 500gig drives in
> a RAID 5 array. The array is healthy.
>
> Unfortunately, we need temporarily need a 500gig drive for an issue
> unrelated to this machine.
>
> Other than losing the protection of RAID 5, would there be any issues
> if we shut down the server, removed one drive, and brought the server
> back online? If we format the removed drive and use it elsewhere can
> we still be able to reinstall it into the server and let the array
> rebuild itself?
>
> From what I understand, this should all be fine, as long as we don't
> have another drive fail in the array while a drive is removed. I also
> know performance will suffer while the array is missing a drive.
>
> Does this all sound right?
>
 
Re: Removing a drive from a software RAID 5 array. Win2K3 server

This is a really bad idea. I would highly recommend buying the 500 gig
drive. After you're done you can put it in your array as a hot spare so
it wouldn't be that much of a waste of money.

Meinolf Weber wrote:
> Hello Calab,
>
> As you said, performance will go down. You can reconnect it after you
> are ready and it should rebuilt without problem, will be the same as you
> replace a broken disc.
> I would really think about buying another same drive, so you also have
> one spare if one breaks.
>
> Best regards
>
> Meinolf Weber
> Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
> confers no rights.
> ** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
> ** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>
>> I have a Windows 2003 Server that currently has five 500gig drives in
>> a RAID 5 array. The array is healthy.
>>
>> Unfortunately, we need temporarily need a 500gig drive for an issue
>> unrelated to this machine.
>>
>> Other than losing the protection of RAID 5, would there be any issues
>> if we shut down the server, removed one drive, and brought the server
>> back online? If we format the removed drive and use it elsewhere can
>> we still be able to reinstall it into the server and let the array
>> rebuild itself?
>>
>> From what I understand, this should all be fine, as long as we don't
>> have another drive fail in the array while a drive is removed. I also
>> know performance will suffer while the array is missing a drive.
>>
>> Does this all sound right?
>>
>
>
 
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