Adding Free Capacity to an Array

Use this option to expand the capacity of a selected array by adding unassigned drives. The result of the expansion causes additional free capacity to be included in the array. You can use this free capacity to create additional logical drives.

Important:

How to Add Free Capacity to an Array

1

Select an array in the Logical View; then select either (1) the Array >> Add Free Capacity pull-down menu option, or (2) Add Free Capacity from the right-mouse pop-up menu.


			

Result: The Add Free Capacity dialog is displayed. The dialog presents the RAID level and the existing drive capacities of the selected array. A table is also displayed that contains information about the unassigned drives that are available for selection. For fibre channel drives, the ID is the actual ID rather than the preferred ID.

Important Tips:

  • If you are adding SCSI drives, it is best to select drives that are on different channels so that the impact of a channel failure is minimized.
  • Whenever possible, select drives that have a capacity equal to the current drive capacities in the array.
2 Select up to the maximum allowable number of drives in the list, using CTRL + CLICK (or SHIFT + CLICK for drives that are next to each other on the list.)
3 Select Add.

Result: The Add Free Capacity Confirmation dialog box is displayed.
4 Select Yes to add the capacity to the array.

Result: The Add Free Capacity operation begins. The Logical View and Physical View changes are listed below.

Logical View Changes

Physical View Changes

The drives selected for addition to the array were previously represented in the Physical View with an Unassigned drive icon . They are now displayed with an Assigned drive icon.