RAID 5 - 2 different drives??

eweruk · 02-12-2004, 06:11 PM

I have a server running RAID 5 with 3 SCSI 18Gb drives. One has bit the dust and I need to replace it. Problem is the drive is no longer available to buy so what to do......???

I have a 36Gb SCSI drive available however I do not know if I can mix the drive sizes up, I do not care if I loose drive space if the RAID configures the 36Gb to only use 18Gb.

Does anyone know if this can be done safely???

John Prophet · 02-12-2004, 06:29 PM

just a quick perusing and I saw two sites saying they need to be the same size.

Cant you just get a different brand 18g scsi?

Jarhed7276 · 02-12-2004, 06:36 PM

While you should use the same size disks it is my understanding that you can use the larger disk but you will lose the 18 gig

eweruk · 02-12-2004, 06:38 PM

Well, all the drives are Seagate and the only 18Gb drive I can get is a 15,000 RPM drive which is a different speed and rate. I would like to use the same size if possible, but if this 36Gb will work then I don't have to spend more money...

Foggy · 02-12-2004, 10:03 PM

Found these on PriceWatch, just search for "scsi 18gb"

Click Image to Enlarge

Image Item Totalcost/Price/Shipping Dealer/Other Info
Seagate - Seagate ST118273LC 18.2GB SCA SCSI HD
Details:
-7200RPM 1.6 Barracuda(18.1GB) (18.2GB) (18.3GB) (18GB)
Part - -DRV10196 Updated - 2/12, 6:22 PM TotalCost $15.00

Price $ 9
Shipping - $6.00 via UPS GRD
Surpluscomputers.com
408-327-0420
408-327-0420 Santa Clara, CA
info ...
-School&Govt P.O.s accepted, high Customer Satisfaction Rating at Resellerratings.com Real-time inventory of computer hardware & software. ULTRA FAST SHIPPING! Order online 24/7 at Surpluscomputers.com Languages Spoken - Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin
Seagate - Seagate ST118202LC 18.2GB SCSI 10K RPM Hard Drive
Details:
-10,000 RPM 18GB (18.2GB) (18.3GB) (18GB)
Part - -DRV10261 Updated - 2/12, 6:21 PM TotalCost $17.00

Price $ 11
Shipping - $6.00 via UPS GRD
Surpluscomputers.com
408-327-0420
408-327-0420 Santa Clara, CA
info ...
-School&Govt P.O.s accepted, high Customer Satisfaction Rating at Resellerratings.com Real-time inventory of computer hardware & software. ULTRA FAST SHIPPING! Order online 24/7 at Surpluscomputers.com Languages Spoken - Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin

eweruk · 02-13-2004, 11:35 AM

Whoa, those are crazy prices!! I will have to check that out.

eweruk · 02-13-2004, 11:56 AM

Ok, even though cheap in US funds, need drive today so not going with that option. Thanks though!

So back to the question..... I have found that RAID 0 can use different size drives and it uses the smallest drive as the max limit like Jarhed7276 had mentioned but for sure RAID 5???

eweruk · 02-16-2004, 05:16 PM

Well I ended up backing up data, crossing my fingers and pulled the old drive out, that went good.

I unpackaged the 36GB new drive and put it into the bay rails, that also went good.

I inserted the drive into the server while running (hot swap) and with the raid console up, drive detected, raid rebuilding new drive, and all is good!!

So it ended up detecting all of the 36GB but still only alots the original RAID setup space.

Thanks for the help anyway!

Jarhed7276 · 02-16-2004, 05:46 PM

Glad to hear you got it back up and running.