Starting with only one HD [merged thread]

[maxxfi]

I started to move files from my PC to the NAS to fill up the first volume. The 2nd volume hasn't been filled at all. So is it possible for me to switch to a RAID1 setup without losing all the files that I just copied to my 1st drive?

With SHR can I install a 3rd drive thats 1TB/2TB? Or does it have to be 3TB or larger?

As already said, you can expand a volume only with drives equal or bigger than what is in use.
What you could do is to plug the 1TB/2TB drives, create a SHR volume, then destroy the unused basic volume (with 3TB disk) and add it to the new SHR volume. If at that point you have sufficient capacity, you could then move all your files from the volume that is almost full to the SHR volume. Finally you can destroy the old volume and add the disk to the SHR.

[cloudster]

I started to move files from my PC to the NAS to fill up the first volume. The 2nd volume hasn't been filled at all. So is it possible for me to switch to a RAID1 setup without losing all the files that I just copied to my 1st drive?

With SHR can I install a 3rd drive thats 1TB/2TB? Or does it have to be 3TB or larger?

As already said, you can expand a volume only with drives equal or bigger than what is in use.
What you could do is to plug the 1TB/2TB drives, create a SHR volume, then destroy the unused basic volume (with 3TB disk) and add it to the new SHR volume. If at that point you have sufficient capacity, you could then move all your files from the volume that is almost full to the SHR volume. Finally you can destroy the old volume and add the disk to the SHR.

How much space will that give me if i do the following configuration in this order (1TB / 2TB / 3TB / 3TB) I'm assuming SHR will set that up as a RAID5 with 1 disk redundancy. Will that give me a total of 8TB to use and 1TB which is the first drive that's being use for redundancy?

If I do this, how long would it take me to set this up? I heard RAID can take up to days to setup, the larger the drives and greater the disks, the longer.

By the way, I just came across Synology's RAID Calculator http://www.synology.com/support/RAID_ca ... p?lang=enu
I first tried (1TB, 2TB, 3TB, 3TB) and then (3TB, 3TB, 1TB, 2TB) and for SHR it reports that both configuration gives me the same exact amount of space which is 6TB and 3TB is used for protection. So it doesn't matter which order I install my drives then? I currently have (3TB, 3TB, 1TB, 2TB) in a NON-RAID (BASIC) setup, but want to convert to SHR. So the 1st step for me is to go to storage manager, and remove my 2nd 3TB and then go to create, and select the 3TB and set it up as SHR(RAID1), and then remove the 1TB and 2TB and add them back in as SHR (RAID5)?

[HarryPotter]

It has been explained about a million time on that forum: YOU CANT ADD SMALLER HD THAN THE BIGGEST ONE TO AN EXISTING SHR.

The calculator is a size calculator and nothing more.

[cloudster]

How do I convert my 1x3TB setup to SHR? The only option I get when I go to DS Storage Manager under Manage is to Choose My Raid Type, and then I proceed with hitting next and the only option I am able to select is RAID1. I want to go with SHR because of the flexibility of adding different size drives later on.

I used the RAID Calculator and notice that SHR gives me more space when doing 3 or more drives.

[HarryPotter]

If your 1 disk volume is not yet an SHR but a "basic" volume, you cant convert it to an SHR.

You could add a 2nd disk, create 2nd volume type SHR, move data from old to new volume, delete old volume and expand new volume with old disk.

[cloudster]

If your 1 disk volume is not yet an SHR but a "basic" volume, you cant convert it to an SHR.

You could add a 2nd disk, create 2nd volume type SHR, move data from old to new volume, delete old volume and expand new volume with old disk.

Thank you! I think I got it now. After I create an SHR volume on my 2nd disk, do i have to physically remove the drive from the NAS and insert it into the first slot and move over the old one to the 2nd slot?

[HarryPotter]

No, just remove the volume on DSM - Storage Manager.

[cloudster]

No, just remove the volume on DSM - Storage Manager.

Currently on my 1st drive which is setup as BASIC, I have mysql database for xbmc, phymyadmin, and several packages installed. Where are those stored? Will I need to redo this? I don't want to have to setup the mysql database for my xbmc all over again.

[HarryPotter]

The databases are on the system partition, which will always be mirrored on all disks.

Packages should be removed and reinstalled afterwards.

[cloudster]

The databases are on the system partition, which will always be mirrored on all disks.

Packages should be removed and reinstalled afterwards.

So there's no way for me to copy over the database to my newly created SHR disk?

[HarryPotter]

You dont have to care about it, it is stored on all disks.

Anyway I strongly recommend to backup everything!

[appalum2003]

OK, someone please help a newbie here...

I bought a 212j and put in just one 2TB drive. I created a volume using SHR and copied all of my data (344 GB).

NOW.... I want to add a second identical HDD as a true mirrored copy of the original HDD. Do I expand my current volume or add a second volume?

[HarryPotter]

Expand

Synology Wiki: 5.How to expand the RAID Volume with additional disks

[pococinco]

I have a DS712+ with two 3T disks in it.

I just realized that during the installation of the DSM and the formatting of the drives, the system only formatted the first drive and I now have a "SHR without data protection". For some reason, my second drive in the bay is not detected. I don't even see it in the Storage Manager. I tried taking the drive out and reinserting it. What am I doing wrong? I want to get the second drive formatted and that to be an automatic copy of the first drive.

Thanks,

[pococinco]

Update: My second hard drive was dead. I returned it and the exchanged version is detected by my system. I will try to expand the setup now to a RAID1

I have a DS712+ with two 3T disks in it.

I just realized that during the installation of the DSM and the formatting of the drives, the system only formatted the first drive and I now have a "SHR without data protection". For some reason, my second drive in the bay is not detected. I don't even see it in the Storage Manager. I tried taking the drive out and reinserting it. What am I doing wrong? I want to get the second drive formatted and that to be an automatic copy of the first drive.

Thanks,