SOFTRaid 1

[biker972]

Hi,

I have a question, whati if I want to break a raid 1 (just to move one disk from array) for example, I have 2x1TB in RAID 1, and I want to remove one from raid, and continue to use just one disk...but I want to kep all data on both disks...is that possible?

Thanks

[shakky4711]

Hello,

generally it is possible to do this way.

BUT.... The sync from an array is a bit by bit process, so when you have only changed one mp3 file with 4MB the system must sync a complete Terabyte of data. This procedure is really stressful for a harddisk and many disks die during a rebuild.

So it is generally better to setup the two disks as single drives and do the backup sync with RSYNC. Then you can unmount the second drive and put it out to the save backup location.

Shakky

[biker972]

Hi Shakky,

I already had them in Raid 1, but, my question is what will be happen if I pull one of them...will I still see data on one disk in NFS or..?
On pics below, you can see my setup:







I want to remove one of them, format it as NTFS, and copy all data from NAS to that disk, how can I see those files on other computer (Windows 7)

Thanks

[shakky4711]

Hello,

In the past I have deleted a Raid1 array in an older FreeNAS installation and mounted the drive as a single drive, that time it worked, not sure if this procedure runs now.

But to be honest I do not understand why you will bring your valuable Raid1 protected data in danger. When you format the second disk with NTFS the drive is lost for NAS4Free, you can bring it only to work in a Windows computer.
The only way to get acces to your date is to connect by network to your NAS and copy data via network. DO NOT MOUNT A NTFS formatted disk with write access into NAS4Free, this proprietary file system is not compatible with unix like systems and all drivers to get access are made with reverse engineering and try- and error.

More secure way would be to keep the raid1 array and buy a new disk you can plug into your Windows PC.

If the only reason is "How can I get access to my data when FreeNAS fails" I recommend to save your config, when the NAS breaks simply install NAS4Free on the new machine (needs 2 minutes, NAS4Free runs on an old P3-500 you find at Ebay for 1 Euro)), import the backup from the config file (needs 10 second) and your data is accessable in a time below 3 minutes

Shakky

[biker972]

Hello,

Well, my question was how to remove one disk from raid 1, I need to format it as NTFS, because it would be primary HDD in windows machine, and later, I have a plan to buy two bigger disks to put in NAS, but right now, I need one of them to work as a primary in windows machine.

Thanks

[shakky4711]

Hello,

Just unplug the second drive from your NAS, on bootup the raid array will switch to status "degraded" but everything runs as with two disks, this is the goal from a raid array The advantage is that if you want you can add a second disk sometimes to the NAS again and simply rebuild the array.

BTW: Always have one, better two backup from your data, you know Murphys laws? Nice story, I copied some data from my laptop to a NAS. A few days later I installed a new operating system to the laptop, wanted to fetch the data back from the NAS .... Power Switch on, Power supply died with a flame and killed mainboard and harddisk with the data on it.... data was not so valuable, but made be angry... So I learned always have two backups, from really important stuff three and more copies on different devices and stored at different locations...

Shakky

[biker972]

Thanks Shakky! (thumbs up)