SBS 2K: need to resize volumes or add disk(s) to Raid? 2

[pchartwell]

I have searched Tek-Tips for similar issues and have seen some good advice but I would just like to be sure and post my question officially.

What I know: The server is Small Business Server Windows 2000, running a Raid array (they say, I'm assuming Raid 5) of drives configured into the following volumes... C: OS, E: Apps (lots of free space) and F: Data (in need of free space). All NTFS. Described as 'basic primary partitions'... ie. not dynamic?

What is desired: To cheaply and efficiently increase the free space on the F: drive; resizing E: and F: would be acceptable, or adding more HDs to the array.

My question is whether or not I am able in Windows 2000 to resize the volumes... I'm thinking not, or not without 3rd party help. So if I arrange to add HDs to the array, can I use Windows 2000 disk management to assign the new, free, unallocated space to a volume of my choice (F? Or ultimately, am I going to need some 3rd party s/w to resize or allocate the free space?

 

[markdmac]

So long as your OS is not on the E or F drives then you should be OK. What I would do is back up those two drives and wipe out their partitions. Then recreate the volumes in the sizes you want and restore your data.

OR

Add more disks as a new raid array. Copy the files then change the new raid array to use drive F (remove F from current drive first of course.)

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[GregD13]

I have done this but with Dell servers. If using Dell's array manager, you should not change your partitions to dynamic disks. They also say that you 'might be able' to extend a volume with a 3rd party tool but it doesn't work.

Note: my O/S was not on the same RAID array that I added space to...
I had to back up the drive, add HD's and rebuild the array then restore my data onto the new bigger array. My experience with adding HD space is to follow this procedure (for RAID arrays in particular). I think you need to back up your data and be prepared to do it this way regardless of any suggestions you receive just to be safe.

(Microsofts dynamic disks work for extending partitions for IDE drives as I have done it suggesfully a few times)

Hope this helps.
Greg