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New install - How do I Setup External RAID enclosure as sole data drive RRS feed

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    My previous setup was a Dell GX620 with a single 80GB internal SATA HDD running XP Pro and then had an external RAID enclosure attached via USB and simply shared folders on that external drive.

    The external RAID enclosure is 2 x 1TB HDD in a mirrored setup so 1TB capacity.

    I figured it was time to do it properly so purchased WHS

    I finally got around to installing WHS last night and couldnt figure out how to setup the external 1TB drive as the SOLE data drive.

    I do not want any data stored on the internal HDD, how do I set this up to put all data on the external drive ?

    Cheers
    Mark

    Thursday, March 12, 2009 4:41 PM

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    Hi Mark,
    this is not possible with Windows Home Server.
    Drive Extender takes over the control and will not allow you to select disks, where data is stored within the storage pool.
    Enclosures attached via USB have given people trouble in the past, if these disks have been in the storage pool - the outcome too often depends from the device electronics.
    Also note, that RAID is not supported and a waste of resources. Better would be to uses the disks in non RAID mode and enable folder duplication for those folders which you consider important enough to be mirrored. Splitting up the RAID into two single disks within the storage pool would also somewhat ensure that the internal disk is only used in case, that on the other disks is no free space any more (if at least Power Pack 1 is installed on the server).
    Don't forget backup for your important files, since any overvoltage or other bad stuff may affect your server with all disks.
    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Friday, March 13, 2009 12:24 AM
    • Marked as answer by UKAussi Friday, March 13, 2009 1:04 PM
    Thursday, March 12, 2009 9:01 PM
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    Hi Mark,
    this is not possible with Windows Home Server.
    Drive Extender takes over the control and will not allow you to select disks, where data is stored within the storage pool.
    Enclosures attached via USB have given people trouble in the past, if these disks have been in the storage pool - the outcome too often depends from the device electronics.
    Also note, that RAID is not supported and a waste of resources. Better would be to uses the disks in non RAID mode and enable folder duplication for those folders which you consider important enough to be mirrored. Splitting up the RAID into two single disks within the storage pool would also somewhat ensure that the internal disk is only used in case, that on the other disks is no free space any more (if at least Power Pack 1 is installed on the server).
    Don't forget backup for your important files, since any overvoltage or other bad stuff may affect your server with all disks.
    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Friday, March 13, 2009 12:24 AM
    • Marked as answer by UKAussi Friday, March 13, 2009 1:04 PM
    Thursday, March 12, 2009 9:01 PM
    Moderator
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    I will have to see if the external enclosure supports the 2 drives as seperate 1TB drives.

    The drive extender is indeed a great idea so hopefully that will work. Otherwise will have to buy another enclosure :-(
    Thursday, March 12, 2009 9:30 PM
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    UKAussi said:

    Otherwise will have to buy another enclosure :-(


    or move the server to a larger case or the drives from the enclosure to the computer case.
    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    Thursday, March 12, 2009 9:52 PM
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    the GX620 is a USFF so super small and sits under TV out of the way.

    The drive enclosure did support separate drives so now it is setup with 2TB space (although technically only 1TB if everything duplicated) and all folders are duplicated.

    Will probably grab another external USB for occassional backups to keep offsite (I work in IT support so backup my highest priority)

    Cheers

    Mark R
    MCP


    (say hi to my former GM Europe colleagues over at Opel if you live near Russelsheim)
    Thursday, March 12, 2009 11:29 PM