Promise Technology Version 4.4 user manual Conversion, From Comments

Promise Array Management

Conversion

Converting changes its RAID Level, and in some cases increases the array capacity, without affecting data availability. Depending on the source and target RAID levels, you can add one or more free disk drives while performing the Convert function.

Note

• With most operating systems, expanding an array will require you to partition the added space with a new drive letter. In effect, you will end up with two arrays.

•Plan to run your conversion during off hours. This will eliminate delayed read-write response from the array and allow the process to go faster.

FastTrak S150 SX4 and SX4000 support the following RAID Conversions.

From	To	Comments
RAID 5	RAID 0	Increases the capacity and performance but loses the
		data redundancy.
RAID 1	RAID 5	Adds performance, capacity and redundancy. 3 or 4
		drives required.
	RAID 0+1	Adds performance and capacity. 4 drives required.
	RAID 0	Increases capacity and performance but loses data
		redundancy. Must add a drive.
RAID 0	RAID 5	Adds performance, capacity and parity. 3 or 4 drives
		required.
	RAID 0+1	Adds full redundancy and capacity. 4 drives required.

Important

•No existing array can convert to RAID 1.

•RAID 0+1 arrays cannot convert to another RAID level.

•The Target array may require more disk drives than the Source array.

•You cannot reduce the number of disk drives in your array.

70