D-Link Forums

The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => D-Link Storage => DNS-323 => Topic started by: CoolFede on January 06, 2011, 10:34:45 AM

Title: Changing 1 HD to a previously used one
Post by: CoolFede on January 06, 2011, 10:34:45 AM

Hello,

I currently have 2 HD setup in my DNS-323. Both working perfectly, mirrored.

I have already replaced one of the HD for a brand new one in the past and had no problem at all.
As a matter of fact, it was really easy to mirror both HD again, and the DNS-323 automatically knew which one was the new one and which one had all my info.

Here´s the current issue:
I need to take out one of the HD and replace it with another one of the HD I had used in the past in this same DNS-323.

Of course, I need the DNS-323 to recognize that the HD I left in it, has all my info, and that this "new" HD (the previously used in the DNS-323) is to be formatted and then mirrored with the other HD.

Easy example:

DNS-323 has:
HD 1
HD 2
Mirrored.

I change HD 1 and replace it with a brand new HD 3: DNS-323 automatically does the needed mirroring so I end up again with 2 HD working in mirror.
This I´ve done this, DNS-323 performed perfectly.

Now I have this:
HD 3
HD 2
Inside DNS-323 mirrored.

Now I need:

HD 1 (the originally used in DNS-323) need to be inserted again in the DNS-323 and all it´s info formatted and mirrored with the HD 2 (currently inside DNS-323).

So, I need to end up like I started and with all info updated on both HD:

HD 1
HD 2
Mirrored.

What the right procedure to do this without loosing data and having to copy all info manually again to the DNS-323?

Thanks,
CoolFede.

Title: Re: Changing 1 HD to a previously used one
Post by: jamieburchell on January 06, 2011, 04:13:32 PM

Remove the partitions on the previously used hard drive using Windows, GParted or similar. When you re-insert it the NAS will think it's a new drive and recreate your RAID array as it did before.

Title: Re: Changing 1 HD to a previously used one
Post by: CoolFede on January 06, 2011, 04:45:20 PM

Quote from: jamieburchell on January 06, 2011, 04:13:32 PM

Remove the partitions on the previously used hard drive using Windows, GParted or similar. When you re-insert it the NAS will think it's a new drive and recreate your RAID array as it did before.

Thanks jamieburchell!

I´ll try this and hopefully my data HD will not be erased in the way.  :D
I´ll let you know if this does not work.

Title: Re: Changing 1 HD to a previously used one
Post by: fordem on January 07, 2011, 08:09:23 AM

Be warned - the DNS-323 is known to behave unpredictably when used in the manner outlined above - I would strongly suggest that you find a different method or handling your backups.

Title: Re: Changing 1 HD to a previously used one
Post by: jamieburchell on January 07, 2011, 06:14:58 PM

Quote from: fordem on January 07, 2011, 08:09:23 AM

Be warned - the DNS-323 is known to behave unpredictably when used in the manner outlined above - I would strongly suggest that you find a different method or handling your backups.

Behaves unpredictably when inserting an empty drive? What's unpredictable about that?

Title: Re: Changing 1 HD to a previously used one
Post by: fordem on January 08, 2011, 04:24:32 AM

There's nothing unpredictable about inserting an empty drive, it's what happens next that's unpredictable - it will supposedly format the empty drive and then rebuilld the array, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't - and formats the drive with data instead.

Feel free to ignore me and test your luck.

Title: Re: Changing 1 HD to a previously used one
Post by: jamieburchell on January 08, 2011, 06:12:22 PM

Yes I've seen similar stories about that. Backup before doing anything :)