RAID 5 Question

[agallag]

You should be able to do everything you want to do without rebuilding anything. I got this from http://download.adaptec.com/pdfs/use...2410Sa_iug.pdf

Array Migration
The Adaptec 2410SA controller supports modifying existing arrays
by expansion, migration from one array type to another, and
changing the stripe size, as described by the table below.

Current Array Type 	New Array Type
RAID 0 			RAID 5 or 10
RAID 1 			RAID 0 or 5 or 10
RAID 5 			RAID 0 or 10
RAID 10 			RAID 0 or 5

To modify an array, refer to the Adaptec Storage Manager-Browser
Edition online Help.

Windows supports Online Capacity Expansion (OCE). That is, on
completion of an array expansion, the additional capacity can be
used without restarting the system. Refer to your operating system
documentation for instructions on using the additional capacity.

[Paddy]

Cheers mate!
I didn't spot that!

[Jammrock]

You will however want to backup your data first, if at all possible.

[Kurt]

Best thing to do is build a little RAID disk with drives you already have (or borrowed) and try to go from RAID 1 to 5.

Doesn't cost you anything and will save a lot of trouble.

[Paddy]

I wont have the drives.... They are ATA drives and i'll need to have three to try it... s'ok.. I'll buy two now and RAID 1 them. I'll then migrate the RAID 1 array to RAID 5 and chance it. I'll just have to backup my essential data.