Topic: Constant HDD Usage

[Smitro]

Hi all,

I've just installed a new server. RAID1 = 2x 2TB Drives. & 6GB Ram.

I've just finished the install and answered all questions. For some reason the Hard drive seems to have activity every 2 seconds. I've tried unplugging the network cable and no difference. I want to go live with this server, but I'm wondering, is it good to go? Is there a way to monitor what is reading/writing to the drive? I would have thought with 6GB of RAM it wouldn't need to all that oftern.

The reason I worry, I had some trouble durring the initial install. The format of the drives took overnight. Then I started again and only formatted one drive, and inserted the other driver later. To sync back up it took 10 hours. The RAID says it's ok, but is it really?

[TerryF]

Mine is similar, short activity anywhere from 2 - 10 secs..am I worried no..do I watch the lights no..

Prior to the computer era there were saying for just this scenario..you know the ones, a watched pot never boils etc etc..LOL..

Just use it, it will tell you if it has a problem, better still tape over the lights so you can't see them..

If it does have issues the usage will highlight it..

[Stefano]

Hi all,

I've just installed a new server. RAID1 = 2x 2TB Drives. & 6GB Ram.

I've just finished the install and answered all questions. For some reason the Hard drive seems to have activity every 2 seconds. I've tried unplugging the network cable and no difference. I want to go live with this server, but I'm wondering, is it good to go? Is there a way to monitor what is reading/writing to the drive? I would have thought with 6GB of RAM it wouldn't need to all that oftern.

The reason I worry, I had some trouble durring the initial install. The format of the drives took overnight. Then I started again and only formatted one drive, and inserted the other driver later. To sync back up it took 10 hours. The RAID says it's ok, but is it really?

it's all ok.. every few seconds there are new log's lines..

Smitro, be sure to read admin/root email and take it easy

[Smitro]

Yeah, fair call. I think it was just after a long format I thought maybe the raid was playing up. I'll stop looking at it now.   

[gbentley]

I noticed something like this - in end the reason was that I was using 'compatible mode' instead of 'enhanced sata with hotplug' in the bios for the discs. Once I changed it was speedy format and all settled down nice.

[TerryF]

Re: others detailing hours to format drives..

Just added a new 1TB drive as an extra HD, partitioned and fromated in less than 5 mins, closer to 4..

I cant understand others taking hours to format etc, certainly syncing yes, but just partition and format "shrug"

Just followed Wiki How To AddExtraHardDisk

[Smitro]

Just added a new 1TB drive as an extra HD, partitioned and fromated in less than 5 mins, closer to 4..

My guess is that it's some sort of incompatibility with the hardware durring the install process. 2 drives took 12+ hours. I took one drive out and did the same with a single drive and it took about half hour, then 10 hours to add the second drive back in and have it sync'd up. There doesn't seem to be a problem with speed after the install.