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I have the following setup on my Fileserver:

  • 2 HDDs In intel RST RAID-1 containing Windows OS+DATA

And I want to migrate into the following configuration:

  • 1 SSD containing CentOS 8
  • 2 HDDS containing data only in RAID-1 configuration

The RAID-1 will use the Linux Kernel mdam instead intel RST. But because it will take some time once I receive the second HDD, so far I will set up my file server like this:

  • 1 SSD containing CentOs
  • 1 HDD containing Data

So once I backed up my data I will format the remaining HDD and then restore the data on it using a live USB and afterwards I will install my OS on SSD. But because data restoration will take some time I want to avoid a data restoration once I receive my second HDD.

So can I setup a RAID-1 using madm on my Linux server without losing any data, or I will need to re-store the data?

Dimitrios Desyllas
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1 Answers1

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You can convert a single disk Linux (CentOS in the example) system into a two disk RAID1 system without loosing data or reinstall the system, but the procedure may seem rather complex. The raid will be a linux software raid managed by “mdadm”.

Basically, you will have to:

  • Create a single-disk RAID-1 array with our new disk
  • Move all your data from the old-disk to the new RAID-1 array
  • Verify the data move was successful
  • Wipe the old disk and add it to the new RAID-1 array

Here's one strategy and the steps to do so.

If that looks bad, better wait for the HDD and make the RAID from start. Since there can be trouble across all the steps, I'd recommend waiting if you're not a Linux expert.

Overmind
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