Adding third drive to HP MediaSmart Server

[Bob D.]

OK.....was wondering if anyone who has or is knowledgeable with EX485 HP MediaSmart Server could help.

I have 2 1TB drives in the EX485, with folder duplication= ON for most folders. The second drive was added later and appears to contain the "duplicates". If I add a 3rd drive for server storage I understand home server just views it as added to the "storage pool".


I guess the basic question is with 3 drives how does folder duplication work? I guessing that home server just makes sure that any folder "duplicate" is not on the same physical drive as the original. Is that a correct assumption?


And if one of the 3 drives should fail, all the folders (with duplication=ON) on that drive are guaranteed to be on one of the other 2 drives and home server is smart enough to rebuild the originals when the new drive is installed.


Thanks for the help. Bob

[JoeP517]

That is how it is supposed to work. Fortunately, I've never had to test it.

Joe

[pcmechanic]

That is in fact how it works. When duplication is turned on for a folder, Windows ensures that 2 copies are saved on 2 physically different drives. WHS uses "tombstones" as markers, pointing to the separate copies of a file. If a drive fails, and is replaced, WHS will detect and recreate any missing duplicate files.

Good Luck

PC Mechanic
Halifax, NS