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PowerVault MD3: Using MDSM to Add a Disk to a Disk Group

Summary: This article covers the steps to add a disk or disks, to an MD3xxx disk group using Modular Disk Storage Manager (MDSM).

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Instructions

This tutorial explains how to add one or several disks to the RAID using MDSM software for the PowerVault disk arrays.
 
Note: This article is part of the Dell PowerVault knowledge library, available at Support Articles for Dell PowerVault products. 
 
Note Important: The addition of one or several disks in an existing RAID can take a long time. This is based on the type of RAID and the size of the disks as raid parity must be recalculated. A production shutdown is recommended to perform this procedure. It is also highly recommended to do a complete backup of the present data on the array.
 

Prerequisites:

  • MDSM must be installed, and the array must be accessible using this software
  • The array must be in an optimal state for this procedure
  • If you are physically adding disks to the storage, add them before the below steps.
  • Make notation of the locations of drives to be added to the disk group
Note: It is not possible to add a different topology disk in an existing RAID. SSDs would not add into a SAS disk group.
 

Steps:

  1. Launch MDSM and select the wanted MD3xxx array.
  2. Ensure that its state is Optimal as seen below.
    Image shows Modular Disk Storage Manager Devices tab with a storage unit selected that is Optimal.
     
  3. Double-click the array to access the Array Management Window (AMW).
  4. Click Storage and Copy Services tab.
    1. Older firmware versions call the tab Logical.
  5. Locate and select the (+) symbol next to Disk Groups.
  6. Select the disk group that is being expanded as pictured below.
    Image shows the Array Management Window of MDSM with Storage and Copy Services tab selected, Disk Groups expanded, and raid Disk Group Selected
     
  7. There are two possibilities to add a disk by using the interface:
    • Using the File bar
      1. Choose Storage > Disk Group > Add Physical Disks (Capacity).
    • Using right-click
      1. Right-click the Disk Group > Add Physical Disks (Capacity).
  8. In the following menu, select one or several disks to be added, and then click Add.
  9. The message indicates that the procedure can last several hours and then you have to reconfirm the launch of the operation.
message that operation takes a long time
  1. During the expansion, the Summary tab shows Operations In Progress clickable link.Image shows AMW Summary tab with a clickable link called Operations In Progress
  2. Clicking the link opens a dialog box showing the estimated time remaining and all steps to that operation.
Image shows a dialog box with details on expansion progress with a progress bar and time remaining.
  1. Once this procedure is finished, go back to the Logical tab to check if the size of your RAID has been extended. 
    Image shows the selected disk group in Storage & Copy Services tab after expansion at a larger size.  

Affected Products

MD Series, PowerVault MD3000, PowerVault MD3000i, PowerVault MD3200, PowerVault MD3200i, PowerVault MD3220, PowerVault MD3220i, PowerVault MD3260, PowerVault MD3260i, PowerVault MD3400, PowerVault MD3420, PowerVault MD3460, PowerVault MD3600F , PowerVault MD3600i, PowerVault MD3620F, PowerVault MD3620i, PowerVault MD3660f, PowerVault MD3660i, PowerVault MD3800f, PowerVault MD3800i, PowerVault MD3820f, PowerVault MD3820i, PowerVault MD3860f, PowerVault MD3860i ...