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Obsolete Releases => SME Server 7.x => Topic started by: techlord84 on March 06, 2007, 05:08:55 AM

Title: Installing 7.1 and spanning HDD's
Post by: techlord84 on March 06, 2007, 05:08:55 AM

I have a server that I am going to install 7.1 on.  I already have a server with 6.x that has two 200 GB HDD's that are mirrored.  the new server has two 250 GB HDD's that I want to span for a total of 500GB (more or less).  Is there a way to span the HDD's during the SME install?  Or, is this something I have to do later?  If so, what do I do?  I have read through the install manual and unless I missed it, I don't see that option unless it does it by default if a RAID option is not chosen.  I plan to back up this server across my network therefore I'm not using a RAID.  I need the space.  I plan of using the old 6.x server for backups after I upgrade it to 7.1.

I have nothing but good things to say about this software platform.  It has fit me to a "T".

Thanks in advance.

Todd

Title: Re: Installing 7.1 and spanning HDD's
Post by: CharlieBrady on March 06, 2007, 04:59:08 PM

Quote from: "techlord84"

I have a server that I am going to install 7.1 on.  I already have a server with 6.x that has two 200 GB HDD's that are mirrored.  the new server has two 250 GB HDD's that I want to span for a total of 500GB (more or less).

That's probably not a good idea. If either drive dies, you lose all your data. Sooner or later all drives die.

Title: Re: Installing 7.1 and spanning HDD's
Post by: techlord84 on March 07, 2007, 03:02:33 AM

Quote from: "CharlieBrady"

Quote from: "techlord84"

I have a server that I am going to install 7.1 on.  I already have a server with 6.x that has two 200 GB HDD's that are mirrored.  the new server has two 250 GB HDD's that I want to span for a total of 500GB (more or less).

That's probably not a good idea. If either drive dies, you lose all your data. Sooner or later all drives die.

I plan on backing it up to a tape drive so if one dies, all I have to do is restore it off tape.

So, what do I do to span these drives................... please

Title: Re: Installing 7.1 and spanning HDD's
Post by: CharlieBrady on March 07, 2007, 05:40:33 AM

Quote from: "techlord84"

Quote from: "CharlieBrady"

Quote from: "techlord84"

I have a server that I am going to install 7.1 on.  I already have a server with 6.x that has two 200 GB HDD's that are mirrored.  the new server has two 250 GB HDD's that I want to span for a total of 500GB (more or less).

That's probably not a good idea. If either drive dies, you lose all your data. Sooner or later all drives die.

I plan on backing it up to a tape drive so if one dies, all I have to do is restore it off tape.

If you can afford a 500GB tape drive, and sufficient tapes, then you can also afford enough hard drives to mirror.

Title: Re: Installing 7.1 and spanning HDD's
Post by: techlord84 on March 07, 2007, 02:12:03 PM

Quote from: "CharlieBrady"

Quote from: "techlord84"

Quote from: "CharlieBrady"

Quote from: "techlord84"

I have a server that I am going to install 7.1 on.  I already have a server with 6.x that has two 200 GB HDD's that are mirrored.  the new server has two 250 GB HDD's that I want to span for a total of 500GB (more or less).

That's probably not a good idea. If either drive dies, you lose all your data. Sooner or later all drives die.

I plan on backing it up to a tape drive so if one dies, all I have to do is restore it off tape.

If you can afford a 500GB tape drive, and sufficient tapes, then you can also afford enough hard drives to mirror.

I give up.  All I want to know is how to span drives on SME.  If I don't want to RAID then why make a big deal out of it.  I have a 200GB tape drive that I plan to use.  Its a file server that deosn't change to much.  I appreciate the fact that you all think that I shouldn't span them, but I have a reason (I need the HDD space) and a solution (tape backup) for this server.

So, once again, with all due respect, how do I span two HDD drives on SME?  Please.

Title: Re: Installing 7.1 and spanning HDD's
Post by: Gaston94 on March 07, 2007, 09:55:47 PM

Hi,
considering you are fully aware about that :

Quote from: "techlord84"

appreciate the fact that you all think that I shouldn't span them, but I have a reason (I need the HDD space) and a solution (tape backup) for this server.
So, once again, with all due respect, how do I span two HDD drives on SME?  Please.

Installation is not going straight forward, because RAID0 is not in the standard installation config. I would rather go for the following solution :

use a small drive to hold the system (you can choose whichever kind of installation, it does not matter)
create a RAID0 (stripping) device on your two large disks + LVM config
add this new volume to your system (look at add extra disk to SME in search function)

this might require some work and Google help, but this can be done ;)
G.

Title: Re: Installing 7.1 and spanning HDD's
Post by: techlord84 on March 08, 2007, 02:22:34 PM

Quote from: "Gaston94"

Hi,
considering you are fully aware about that :

Quote from: "techlord84"

appreciate the fact that you all think that I shouldn't span them, but I have a reason (I need the HDD space) and a solution (tape backup) for this server.
So, once again, with all due respect, how do I span two HDD drives on SME?  Please.

Installation is not going straight forward, because RAID0 is not in the standard installation config. I would rather go for the following solution :

use a small drive to hold the system (you can choose whichever kind of installation, it does not matter)
create a RAID0 (stripping) device on your two large disks + LVM config
add this new volume to your system (look at add extra disk to SME in search function)

this might require some work and Google help, but this can be done ;)
G.

Thank you for the input.  I hadn't thought of it that way.

Anyone else have suggestions?