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Conver IDE to SATA Raid 5

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by jonhunt2 1 view

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I have a client whose Windows Server 2003 SBS currently has two IDE hard drives. They are not mirrored - one is drive C: 28 GB, the other drive D: 250 GB. I would to convert this into a RAID 5 SATA configuration, but I don't want to reinstall or reconfigure the server. How is the best way to do this? Is this even feasible? We'll probably upgrade the server within the next couple of years. (The server is currently AMD 1.19 GHz w/512 MB RAM and a Travan tape backup. It's used for file, print and Exchange.)

Thanks,
Jon

6 replies

by p.j.hutchison

I would keep the IDE drives, install SATA controller and 3 disks (preferably a 4th hot spare). Set up a new RAID 5 drive, copy all the data from D: to the new RAID setup. Then erase D:
and mirror C: to spare IDE drive (so system is now mirrored). This will minimise download to minimum and make system much more fault tolerant!

by jonhunt2

That sounds like a great idea - and the second recommendation like this. (I don't think the IDE controller can be setup to mirror, though. This is more like a workstation turned server - so I may need a controller for that as well... :)

by cg it

If the mainboard has an onboard IDE RAID controller [hardware RAID] you can setup your existing drives ina striped or mirrored RAID array. But, this is not SATA.

To have SATA RAID you have to use SATA drives and a mainboard with SATA controller or purchase a SATA controller card.

Moving your SBS O/S over to a new hardware configuration might not go as planned. Drivers being the biggest problem. You can try ghosting the drive over to SATA drives, boot up and reinstall whatever drivers you need BUT most importantly is installing the SATA controller drivers. The boot will be SCSI as that is how Windows sees the SATA controller and you've got to have the drivers installed to boot up. System won't boot without the SATA controller drivers.

by cg it

I would buy a SATA controller card, install it onto the server install the drivers. then ghost the SBS to the SATA drives, change the boot order to boot SCSI or boot other and try that.

by jonhunt2

Thanks. Sounds like that would work as well - and with a good back out option if things didn't go as planned since it's all just ghosted over...

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