Datastore RAID 5 expansion

[Virtuali3ed]

Hi, I have a Datastore on 4 RAID 5 drives and I would like to add 2 more drives to RAID 5, is it possible to add the datastore / RAID 5 arrary by keeping the existing datastore / data (VMs) intact?

Thanks in advance!!

[Lightbulb]

You may be able to

I was unable to in my test environment but then I am using Virtualized ESX 4 hosts and a FreeNAS VM for external storage, so it could just be my environment. or as they say "don't blame the tools blame the carpenter"

[DSTAVERT]

Expanding your array will be dependent on your storage controller and perhaps how much you trust the process. Since this is local storage you may need to use extents to use the additional space. I would want to practice anything to see what is involved and what the gotcha's are before I did anything live.

[AndreTheGiant]

Hi, I have a Datastore on 4 RAID 5 drives and I would like to add 2 more drives to RAID 5, is it possible to add the datastore / RAID 5 arrary by keeping the existing datastore / data (VMs) intact?

Usually yes.

But depends of your storage type or your RAID card.

On storage side: add your disks at your group and extend your virtual disk or LUN.

On ESXi4 side, do a rescan, you will see a bigger disk, use expant and use the extend method (not the old extent method).

Andre

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[Virtuali3ed]

Hi, Thanks All for the help and answers, I am using Perc 5i with SATA drives, any idea if it supports expanding raid 5?

Thanks,

[DSTAVERT]

That should support expanding the array. Make sure you have backups.

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

You have to enter in your PERC BIOS.

Follow the Dell manual.

And (as write above) do a full backup before begin.

Andre

[Virtuali3ed]

Thanks All for the help!!

[AndreTheGiant]

You're welcome.

Andre