Adding more drives

[Jacob_Demant]

Hi,

I've bought the DX4000 4TB version, what will happen if I add more drives? Will it be able to use the capacity? Can I create a raid 5 instead of raid 1?

Jacob...

[diehard]

If you add a drive, the WD software has some fancy code that make it a RAID 5. Just pop the drive in and follow the instructions on the LCD.

This is what I read, I will be testing it later this week.

Also, this will only work with the SAME Enterprise drives. 2TB or 3TB drives. Only 3 models exist. Check the WD Dashboard for specifics.

If you put any other drive in the server, you will get a message on the LCD.

http://homeservershow.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3537-dx-4000-supported-drives/page__p__35864__hl__...

[Vadir]

This is correct, the Sentinel will automatically switch to RAID 5 when more than 2 drives are installed.  AFAIK support to 3 TB drives will be added with a firmware update. 

[Timothy_G]

Too add to information regarding the expansion of the Sentinel, if you put two additional drives in at the same time. The Sentinel will build to RAID 5 on the third drive, then add the fourth into the RAID and build again, the whole process will take around 48 hours.

[Nickster]

Also, once you expand the array, you can't go back. Just something to consider.

I looked into the RAID software of the sentinel- it uses Intel RST of course. Has anyone tried tweaking the RST software to gain control over the type of RAID array utilized?

[Gramps]

I have not seen convert from raid 1 to raid 5 in RST?  I think WD is working in front of this and there would be no tweaks.   But I have the Intel control panel software herre somewhere.  May look at it.

What's the worst that can happen?  (anyone say brick?)

[diehard]

I was giving this some thought, but could not find a download for control panel. Do you have a link ?

[Gramps]

I think this is it.  Google Intel Raid Drivers

<Raid Drivers  >  Link is too the left.  Silly blue background

[diehard]

I got it installed, did a reboot. They only thing that happens is a windows opens with some details of the OS. Clicking on a blue tab on the right does nothing. I don't get the usual windows with a few icon on the top. Bummer. Stumped.

[Gramps]

Did it extract to iata_cd.exe?  You should end up with this app.   Granted this is on one of my boxes, but the WD box should do the same