Moving to a RAID array

[binky]

Ok, when I bought the new admin server last year the SMT said no to RAID (i know..), so we had a 250GB and a 160GB HDD (C: and D.

Now I am planning to install an adaptec raid card and 2x 500GB drives in a RAID1 configuration to replace the two above. Is this possible without reinstalling the operating system?

[Michael]

Unfortunately when creating a RAID1 setup, you will be informed all data will be deleted, so 'no you can't' is the answer to your question.

The only solution would be to create a full backup, create the RAID1 setup, re-install the OS and then a full restore.

[tmcd35]

Ghost or Clonezilla or similar the existing hard drive. You may need to look into either slipstreaming the RAID drivers into the image or installing them into the OS before you ghost it other whys windows might not boot from the RAID after you've restore the image.

[Michael]

Usually what I do is create a slipstreamed Server 2003 SP2 disc, then use nLite to slipstream any required drivers (RAID, LAN, VGA etc...) install the OS and then configure the OS server roles. AD, DHCP, DNS etc...

In your case, simply name the server as before during Windows setup, configure the same static IP address, then perform a complete restore and this should work.

[binky]

Would ghost work on a RAID array??

[Michael]

Would ghost work on a RAID array??

What you could do (thinking about it) is install the RAID drivers now in your existing Server installation, take an image, create the RAID array and then perform a full restore.

[kesomir]

IMHO The adaptec raid cards are terrible btw. - at least the cheaper ones are as they aren't full hardware raid.

[SteveMC]

Depending on the RAID controller used, you may not have to reinstall. The proper, hardware controllers don't require any particular drivers on the part of the operating system, since they deal with all the RAID related business themselves.

All the operating system sees is whatever RAID volumes you configure in the RAID BIOS. Often you'll be able to create a mirror (RAID 1) volume in the BIOS by mirroring an existing drive. RAID 5 does require more work, as it spreads the data across the drives, along with creating parity information.

Stephen