2 x raid 1 array in same NAS

[flosseh]

Hi,

I have a TS431p 4 bay NAS.

I had 2 x 3TB western digital red drives in a raid 1 setup and all was fine.

I decided to add another 2 x 3tb western digital red drive also in a raid 1 setup.

All seemed to go well but I can't seem to access the second raid array to add media to it... or do I just keep filling the thing up and when the first two disks are full it will spill over to the new raid 1 setup? (which is not really what I wanted).

Thanks for any help.

[storageman]

Firmware, screenshot of storage manager/file station would help.

[flosseh]

Thanks for your post Storageman, hope these shed some light:

Current firmware version:4.3.3.0188

Screenshot 2017-06-05 17.41.50.png

Screenshot 2017-06-05 17.39.55.png

Screenshot 2017-06-05 17.39.46.png

Screenshot 2017-06-05 17.39.31.png

Screenshot 2017-06-05 17.39.00.png

[MrVideo]

Why didn't you add the two new drives and migrate from RAID1 to RAID5?

[flosseh]

Hi MrVideo, I have lots of "can't be lost files" on there and wanted to be super safe.

[dolbyman]

if you want to be super safe , do external or cloud backups, RAID is NOT a backup

and adding a second RAID1 to the NAS adds nothing to file security

[Don]

Hi MrVideo, I have lots of "can't be lost files" on there and wanted to be super safe.

So how is 2 RAID 1 arrays safer than a 4 disk raid 5.

As far as accessing the second array did you create any shares on it?

[flosseh]

Ok guys, you have convinced me to go raid 5 !! and I'll grab a external drive or 2 for backup I'll have a read up on how to do it unless anyone has a link ? Cheers for convincing me

[dolbyman]

just take a look at the online manual, all explained in there

[flosseh]

Sorted, Migrating to raid 5 now

[MrVideo]

As an added precaution, make sure you have a UPS that is compatible with QNAP, so that if the power goes out, the NAS can safely be shut down automatically.

[flosseh]

Thanks for the tip MrVideo, I'll look into that

[caliope]

Glad I stumbled onto this thread.

I am trying to achieve the same as flosseh . I have a pair of 4TB WD Reds in Raid 1 which are approaching full. I recently filled the remaining two slots with new 4TB WD Reds. I was naive enough to think this would be seamless, and if I knew the correct direction it likely is seamless. The direction is the issue.

This is a home based TS-451 used for media and 5 family users plus a small home based business. It all lives on the Raid 1 array, and I manually back up the really important content to a second dLink server.

Here is what I know or believe;
1. qNap OS offers many more options than what I require for a storage solution. I don't believe I should concern myself with Storage pools or LUN.
2. there are many references stating not to use Raid 5 as it is not the best option.
3. the online manual makes me believe I can expand my existing volume. What is not clear is if this refers to expanding Raid1 or Raid5? if I try to expand my Volume will it turn my Raid1 to Raid5?

Until reading this thread, I had settled on one of two options :
1. Create a new volume with another Raid1 array. Manually map to separate volumes; 8TB total storage, completely backed up in Raid1.
2. Add a second Raid1 to the existing volume. Is this even possible?

I would appreciate comments on my two potential options or if there are other options.

thanks

[Don]

Why is RAID 5 not the best option? For a four bay NAS with 4tb drives it is the best option.

[MrVideo]

Why is RAID 5 not the best option? For a four bay NAS with 4tb drives it is the best option.

I most certainly agree. It will add about 7.2TB more usable space to your NAS.