Expanding Pool with VDevs

[fuznutz04]

I currently have 1 pool (dspool1) consisting of 2 RaidZ2 vdevs, each having 8 disks in each vdev. I have 1 additional disk dedicated as a hot spare. I now want to increase the storage capacity of the box, and I have 13 more slots available in the box, which I have just filled with new hard drives. So my question has 3 parts.

1. Is there any downside to adding more vdevs to the existing pool or is it a better approach to create a new pool altogether for these new drives? (Keep the old pool intact, just create an additional one)
   
   
   
   
2. What is the best option for adding these drives to the pool?
   
   1. Create 2 new vdevs, each with 6 disks each (total of 12), and then dedicate the remaining 1 drive as an additional hot spare?
      
      
   2. Create 1 new vdev, consisting of 12 drives, then dedicating the remaining 1 drive as an additional hot spare?
      
      
      
3. If I am adding vdevs to the existing pool, what is the preferred method to add/expand the pool?
   
   1. Through the FreeNAS GUI using the “Extend volume” option
      
      
   2. Through the command line using “zpool add <existing poolname> raidz2 disk1 disk2 disk2, etc.
      

Thanks!

 

[Bidule0hm]

1. No problem to add vdevs, but in the end it depends on what you want (one big pool or two smaller pools?)

2. Best option is 1. as 2. is pushing the limits on the vdev size

3. Certainly not 2., always use the GUI ;)

 

[fuznutz04]

1. No problem to add vdevs, but in the end it depends on what you want (one big pool or two smaller pools?)

2. Best option is 1. as 2. is pushing the limits on the vdev size

3. Certainly not 2., always use the GUI ;)

Thanks. With the GUI, I would create just as I've shown in the screenshot, correct?

 

[Bidule0hm]

Yes, but just to be sure wait for another answer as I've never extended a volume before.

 

[danb35]

Yes, that's exactly how you'd extend the volume.

 

[fuznutz04]

Great, and there is no need to backup anything? From what I've read, the change is instant; correct?

 

[danb35]

Correct on both counts.

 

[fuznutz04]

So I attempted to pull the trigger on this and I am receiving the message "You are trying to add a virtual device consisting of 6 devices in a pool that has a virtual device consisted of 8 devices." See screenshot. It won't let me create the new Vdevs to expand the pool. Do I need to add each new Vdev 1 at a time?

 

[danb35]

Looks like one of FreeNAS's "seatbelt" features to make it harder for you to mess up your pool. The "Manual setup" button should still let you do this.

 

[fuznutz04]

Looks like one of FreeNAS's "seatbelt" features to make it harder for you to mess up your pool. The "Manual setup" button should still let you do this.

Bingo. Manual always works, right? :) Created each new vdev separately, and then another spare drive and all is well now. Thanks for all the help!