Hello again.
Thanks for the answers, This list is great. I don't know how I would have
learned so much if it weren't for it.
My Original Question
Ron Bramblett wrote:
> Hello,
> It is about time that I replace some hard drives on my AS2000 server.
> I am running 4.0g .
> Here is my current setup
> 4 4GB drives in Raid 5 with a AdvFS domain mounted on the raid set.
>
> Here is what I am planning
> 4 9GB drives on Raid 5 with AdvFS domain restored onto raid set.
>
> My questions are these:
> 1) How much time with this take? (I have to backup the system
> probably 2 different ways, remove the AdvFS domains and then initialize
> through the raid controller. Then restore the data and TEST TEST TEST)
> 2) When I do a full backup with vdump level 0 am I backing up every
> single file (including hidden and etc)??
> 3) Is there a "fall-back" method that I can use in case something
> doesn't work with the hard drive replacements?? (I have the hard drives
> still in boxes directly from compaq)
Answers:
alan_at_nabeth.cxo.dec.com wrote:
> If you have slots in the array subsystem and the AdvFS utilities
> license, one thing you can do is add the disks and reconfigure
> the subsystem to make the new array available while the existing
> array is still there. Then test the new array to your
> satisfaction
> and when done, use addvol to add it to the domain. Then use
> rmvol to remove the old array. AdvFS will migrate the data
> for you.
>
> If you have to go the backup route, the backup time needn't be
> significant if you have current backups because you can take an
> incremental of what changed since the last full. That's usually
> much less data than the whole thing.
>
> 1. Expect the restore take the longest, since it is write
> heavy. The overhead of creating and closing files may
> also be a significant part of the load and that is
> rarely sequential. Even with the AdvFS log having to
> seek and forth from the log to write metadata and real
> data can slow it down.
>
> 2. It will probably even backup files that don't need to
> be backed up; UNIX sockets that are always recreated
> anyway.
>
> 3. That's another value of the addvol/rmvol strategy. But
> it depends on having the spare slots.
(note I don't have the slots available)
(on the subject of Initializing 9 GB on RAID controller time)
Matt Moore wrote:
> I just did one of those initializations the other day with 9GB drives
> and it did in fact take about 1 to 1.5 hours. FYI.
Kevin Binda wrote:
> Dear Tru64 User,
> Let me tell you a little story my friend tried on a proliant. I will
> hope that the same works on the alpha side. I haven't had the time to
> test it. Here goes....
>
> He had a raid set built on 4GB drives and eventually ran out of space.
> (raid 5 array)
> Knowing you can still keep running with one less disk, he pulled one out
> of the server and slapped in a 9GB drive. The system did a rebuild and
> everything was fine. Only 4GB of tbe 9GB drive was being used (the part
> the system used for rebuilding the original '4GB*nDisks' array). He then
> waited until the system was stable and ripped out the second 4GB drive
> and slapped in another 9GB. He waited until the system completed the
> rebuild on the drive and then proceeded down the disk tower replacing
> one disk at a time and waiting for the rebuld to complete before moving
> onto the next disk.
>
> (1 hour later)
>
> He had a running system with a larger disk array. He then expanded the
> OS's filesystem using another volume on the empty disk area. Storage
> problem solved.
>
> Here are my recomendations:
> Back up the system like you are going to take it down and rebuld the
> filesystem from scratch. Be prepared to do this. Have the emergency
> phone numbers on hand, and any required support staff pagers etc.
>
> Try the method above. If it doesn't work... do what you would normally
> do. Hopefully you won't miss you ballgame.
>
> Kevin Binda BSc.
> Senior I.T. Analyst
> Brandon Regional Health Auth.
> ------------------------------------------
ball game starts at 3pm CST so I have from about 8pm Sat Night to about
2:30PM and this should be enough time.
Thanks for all of the help.
> --
> Ron Bramblett, Sys Admin
> Fuller Brush Company
Received on Fri Sep 28 2001 - 12:55:58 NZST