Question : How to upgrade hard drive (SAS) capacity in RAID-1 configuration (PowerEdge 1950)

Hello,

I've PowerEdge 1950 server with 2 x 73GB SAS hard drives installed. The server (Terminal Server) is running on Windows Server 2003 R2 x64 edition. Out of 4 slots, I already used 2 slots for the storage. I created a Virtual Disk with RAID-1 configuration by using Dell OpenManage Server Administration tool I would like to upgrade the storage on each hard drive from 73GB to 146GB.

How can I upgrade both the hard drives while preserving the same RAID-1 configuration? I got this reply from one of the support person "The easiest way would be to backup the current configuration and restore it to bigger one. When talking about replacing HDDs in current RAID1, as you use mirror configuration it must mirror the small drive to new drive. But this often leaves you with unused block of space because mirroring takes place which is equal to smallest drive in pair".

I don't want to reinstall the OS. Any further help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Answer : How to upgrade hard drive (SAS) capacity in RAID-1 configuration (PowerEdge 1950)

a couple of options

1) Break the mirror and make sure you can still boot.

2) remove the 2nd 73 GB drive and replace with a 146 GB drive

use Imaging software to copy the 73 GB to the 146 GB

remove the 73 GB and replace it with the 146 GB.

Make sure you can boot.
add a 2nd 146 GB, and tell the controller to create the RAID from the first drive to the second ( make sure your controller can do this since otherwise it may wipe the drives.

other option.

remove both 73 GB drives

put in 2x 146 GB drives
create RAID 1

Use Ghost or imaging software to copy from the first 73 GB to the RAID 1 pair.

You will need to test that whatever cloning software you choose can support your Hard drive RAID controller

I hope this helps !