N00b setting up inital storage

[drhitchcock]

Hey FreeNASians,

I'm about to setup my inital storage for my new FreeNAS machine. If I create a stripe in the Volume Manager using a WD Red 2TB can I add another one at a later date to make it a mirror?

For further details on what I'm building check out: https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/another-kiwi-from-new-zealand-flying-freenas.55940/

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere.

Cheers,
Dr H.

 

[nojohnny101]

It can be done, but not through the GUI. You would have to use the CLI.

 

[drhitchcock]

I'm cool with that. Can you link me to documentation or a guide?

 

[Ericloewe]

1. Export the pool in the GUI
2. Import the pool in the CLI
3. Add the drive ( man zpool is your friend)
4. Export the pool in the CLI
5. Import the pool in the GUI

 

[nojohnny101]

NOTE: I have never done this myself, but google is your friend.

One example: http://techblog.danielpellarini.com/sysadmin/how-to-convert-a-stripe-into-a-mirror-in-freenas/

(Never stated what version of FN you are using).

 

[Stux]

I have done it. The trick is to format the second drive correctly, and then it's zpool attach by gptid. Iirc.

Ask again when you want to do it ;)

 

[drhitchcock]

Thanks crew! I'll keep you posted. It'll be a few months off yet.

BTW this is the most helpful and active forum I've been on in a while :D

 

[gpsguy]

How much storage do you need now?

If you created a mirror with your 500GB and 2TB drives it would be limited to 500GB in size. Down the road you could swap the 500GB drive for another 2TB and your volume would automatically expand to 2TB.

It's much easier to set up (and less prone to error) the mirror from the start.

 

[drhitchcock]

That's a great idea. I'm sure I can get away with 500GB for the meantime while I learn FreeNAS. Thanks gpsguy!

 

[gpsguy]

Note: you will need to select "Manual Setup" (lower right hand corner) of the volume manager screen, due to the mixture of drive sizes.