Restoring a server bare metal question
Posted by Beneficial-Eagle1905@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 15 comments
We have a Dell PowerEdge t650 with a DELL PERC H730P that was setup with Dells RAID 10 setup with what I believe is Intelligent Mirroring which prevents the RAID10 from being expanded. The server is running Windows 2019 Hyper V and the RAID10 virtual disk, and this is a pet peeve of mine, holds the OS and the data for the other VMs (about 5).
Well fast forward we are running out of space and the disk IOPs are too high. My question is, we have a Datto BCDR unit, which allows us to spin up VMs on it or in there cloud. If I were to do that, blow out the RAID and then add more disks and then re-install from BareMetal the OS - what potential issues could come from this? Thinking also to make a separate RAID1 virtual disk for the OS but worried I guess about driver issues or somehow not being able to recover back and wanted to hear other thoughts
link to image of disk manager:
https://ibb.co/7bspDXc
The server is out of support with Dell so trying to also see if there is someway to expanding the virtual disk. I have updated Perc firmware and driver to the latest
FlickKnocker@reddit
Time for a new server. You can always move this box to a DR role. That's how I'd pitch it to management.
cosmos7@reddit
Yep. Far safer approach, and it's out of support anyway.
ZAFJB@reddit
What is?
cosmos7@reddit
Read...
ZAFJB@reddit
R650 is still very much a supported product.
FlickKnocker@reddit
No warranty/support so if it tanks, he doesn’t have a lifeline to call. Save the heroics for when you really need it…
cosmos7@reddit
I'm aware. If they bought a 15th gen early it's certainly possible it's out of warranty. Bringing up net new is a safer proposition, keeps support current, and reduces downtime.
FlickKnocker@reddit
The server he’s trying to reconfigure. It’s all about risk management…the stuff I would pull off when I was a young buck, just to save the company money… nope. Why put myself in a bad spot like that? It’s not like they’re cutting him a bonus check.
TalkNerdy2Me2Day@reddit
Exactly. Then OP can start over with his preferred setup and let Datto do the rest. Easy peasy.
easier2say@reddit
Good thing you have Datto's BCDR, it can be a valuable asset in situations like this.
Scouttsc@reddit
Yep totally agree, Datto`s BCDR is OP's best solution for data recovery and disaster recovery, which can be a valuable asset in situations like this.
ZAFJB@reddit
Backup
Test backup
Delete raid configuration
Remake raid configuration how you want it
Restore
TrippTrappTrinn@reddit
Why not add another RAID set and move some VHDs over?
Beneficial-Eagle1905@reddit (OP)
We have 6 disks right now sitting there now unassigned - I did think about that but the challenge is the OS is on the RAID10 Virtual disk too - again an anti-pattern for me so not happy with whoever set it up initially
FluxMango@reddit
So long as you have a good handle on the change control, and meet your SLAs, nothing is impossible to accomplish.