puulima

Hope this makes sense... 2 days ago StableBit Scanner and WHS 2011 reported that a drive was failing....and a brand new 6TB WD Red drive of all things! So I shutdown the server, physically removed the drive and backed up the data to another 6TB drive. I mostly backed up the Server Folders that I don't have duplication turned on for - as the duplicated server folders should be ok (dupe copies on the other drives) - correct? So I was all set to add the NEW 6TB drive into the pool and then follow the instructions in this posting: http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_Q4142489 to move the backed up data back into the pool. If I understand that process, once I do that, all of the non-duplicated files should be back in the pool and DrivePool will do it's thing to re-populate the new drive with dupe copies of anything that was on the failing drive.... But then it hit me - I haven't removed the failing drive from the pool yet...it still shows as "missing" - so I'm guessing DrivePool won't actually start duplicating the dupe copies of stuff that was in duplicated folders on the missing drive until I remove it from the pool via the dashboard? I don't want to screw this up - so what is the proper approach for this scenario I have? Here's the facts summarized: * 6TB failing drive ("failing") physically removed from the server and non duplicated folders backed up to a new 6TB drive ("new") * NOTE: I also backed up some other "more critical" folders that ARE in fact already setup for duplication in the pool - just in case (probably didn't need to do this - but figured that if I had as much of the duplicated files backed up, I could use the instruction in the link above to move the data from the backed up folders back into the pool once that "new" disk was added, and save DrivePool some work/time - is that a correct assumption? * I have already added the "new" drive to the pool (ne with the backed up files noted above) and was about to go through the instructions in the link above to move that data back into the pool * I still haven't removed the "failing" drive from the DrivePool yet If you folks can please advise on the best way to approach this - that would be most appreciated. Let me know if anything is not clear LATE ADDITION: - Forgot to mention I'm running WHS 2011 on an HP N40L. AND since I had to do some work on this drive issues, I decided to take the time to swap out my external drive enclosure, install a NEW PCIe card (6GB/s eSATA card with 4 ports) and also upgrade my memory (none of which has anything to do with the drives) - BUT - I now have the origirnal eSATA port on my N40L free - as well as a second external eSATA port - So it just dawned on me that I could drop the "failing" drive in a single external drive enclosure I have - plug it into one of the free eSATA ports - and then REMOVE the "failing" drive in the Dashboard - and let DrivePool do it's thing to migrate the data over to the "new" drive I added. I only have about 2TB of data on the "failing" drive - and have about 3TB free on the "new" 6TB dirve (rest is the backed up data in a separate folder NOT in the "ServerFolder" - so not in the pool. So enough space to let DrivePool do it's thing - and worst case if something doesn't get pulled off the failing drive - I have the backed up data. So this would seem to be the best approach based on what I've read - correct? If not - let me know... And then I need to update my version of DrivePool ;-)

Sigh. That's why I need a good primer / instructions. I get lost in the sea of popup security windows. I just tested a few - one of the users defined isn't able to access certain shares marked as "no access" in WHS but IS able to access others with the exact same settings in WHS Even if I delete the use and re-add - and resetup the permssions - its as if Windows is remembering the orignal settings and applying them to the re-added user.

So you mean set permissions in WHS 2011 Dashboard to allow full access - then MANUALLY adjust permissions for each share in Windows? Do you have a god primer on that - or point me towards something that explains the process? I'm fairly comfortable with most config aspects - but permissions and the multiple cascading menus that pop up are confusing. Guess I'll do an upgrade for DrivePool first though and see if that helps.

Circling back... ok, regardless of whether it's a good idea to upgrade to version 2.x - looks like I'm WAY behind in version 1 releases by a fair ways. So assuming there's plenty of reasons to upgrade to the latest version 1 release? Q: I was having all sorts of permissions issues (still am but have found work arounds that are less than optimal) - IE: users that were not granted access to shares could still access those shares while other dshares they WERE granted access to were not accessible. I couldn't figure it out. Any chance somewhere in the releases since 1.2.4.7226 a fix was implemented? Thanks for the feedback.

I'm on version 1 (1.2.4.7226 to be specific). What are the pros & cons of upgrading to version 2?

I guess I need to do some reading? Where/how do I use the "Drive Usage Limiter"..I've seen that reference come up in a few replies and don't think I've ever seen any detailed settings/config stuff for DrivePool...maybe I haven't looked closely enough? Thanks for the feedback/clarifications.

Does DrivePool lock down the ability to create new folders and copy files to the server when it is in the middle of removing a drive? I'm in the process of removing a drive (upgrading the size) and I wanted to copy some files over to the server and I'm getting those same error screens (need permission) - regardless of what PC on my network I try that on. ALL have the proper permissions to create folders/files in the sahred folders I'm trying to do this. I can't even add a new folder from the Administrator logon to Windows Home Server 2011. I've had my license for a number of years but went to check in the Dashboard anyways, all looks to be good (shows I'm active and gives me an option to deactivate). I do recall having this issue back after the trial expired...but that's not the case now. The only thing different this evening is the fact that a drive is in the removal process...so is that my issue? UPDATE: Never Mind - I just read that the DrivePool goes into "read only" mode when a drive is being removed. I guess that makes sense...but never realized that as I've never tried to copy files to the pool when removing a drive before. That explains why KODI is crashing as well as it must be trying to write data to the pool.

I know this is an older post - but exactly the situation I have. I have a WHS 2011 with 7 drives in the pool. 6 are 4TB drives and I just upgraded an old 2TB to an 8TB. After 48 hours only a few (newly saved) files are on the 8TB. All of my 4TB drives have roughly 500 GB free (so approx 1/8th free on each - all 6 of the 4's are balanced). I plan to upgrade 2 of the 4's to 6 TB drives - but was going to wait for DrivePool to move files around - assuming I'd have less files on 2 of the 4's and therefore removing them from the pool would go faster. Apparently that isn't the case. I'm thinking that when I remove the 2 4 TB drives, DrivePool will likely move files to the new 8TB drive since it has the most space. I need to turn duplication back on for a few shared folders also - but will do that when the 2 additional 6TB drives are in. Anything I should do BEFORE I remove the 2 4TB's I'm upgrading - to have files balanced? If the answer to that question is "no - just remove the 2 4's and replace with your 6's" is the answer - then second question: anything I will/should need to do after the new 6's are installed? Thanks! UPDATE: actually, I just noticed the "re-balance" link at the bottom of the pool tab. It notes 85% and when I hover over the "re-balance" link it says "file placement not optimal" - so updated question: Do I "re-balance" BEFORE I remove another drive (or both) that I plan to upgrade?

I'll have to wait until I get home as the remote access is slow and sounds like I'll need to figure some stuff out. Thanks for the screenshot. I'll poke around when I get back and circle back if more questions. Thanks again

I guess I'll have to do some research? I'm logged onto the Server as the Administrator (via RDP) and it's WHS 2011 - so whatever the default security settings are for WHS 2011 would be active. If I knew how to embed/include screenshots in these forum posts - I could send you some screenshots - easier than trying to describe the multitude of settings/advanced/edit windows..

I noted in my initial reply that there is no "Change Properties" tab. I can't access the PC at home via TeamViewer as its in sleep mode...so will have to wait until the morning. I will let you know what options/tabs I do have.

OK - can't follow your steps above as I don't have a "Change Properties" tab... I did look at 2 movie folders under the SECURITY tab and see a difference. Not sure how to attach screenshots to these forum posts - but here's what I see. For a movie folder that the HTPC user account CAN access: - I see all my Server user ID's in the "Group or User names" listing - with the appropriate permissions. For a movie folder that the HTPC user CANNOT access: - the HTPC user name is NOT in the list - instead there is a listing for "Account Unknown". So somehow the HTPC user is missing for all of these folders? So is there a way to reset ALL folders? IE: the access to the SHARED folder is working fine...and even to several levels of SUB-FOLDERS - but NOT to this (lowest) level folder? I've never encountered issues like this...but since there are many sub-folders with this issue - seems like I need to do some sort of complete reset? I would think that if I REMOVE the access to the Shares - and then add it back, that should fix it? Or is this glitchy situation a result of this shared folder have the file duplication turned on?

Sounds like I need to be logged onto the server locally and do this from an Explorer window? I'm travelling and only have the norm remote access. Something more odd happened after I deleted the User account and recreated it. Now that user has access to certain shares that it should have access to - but WITHIN those shares, some folders are blocked? Example: I have a Share named "Videos" - within that share are various folders and sub-folders. The user can access all the way down to the individual Movie folders - but now SOME of the movie folder (specifically seems to be the most recent ones copied onto the server from my laptop when last home) are not accessible. IE: if you try to open the movie folder - it says the permissions don't allow. I had to use my username/password to access so my family could watch a movie this evening. But I don't understand what's going on there? Will your proposed solution above fix this issues also? I'm going to use TeamViewer to access my wife's laptop and then RDP into the server and try your suggestion in the meantime. BTW: all of the other users (other than me) were just setup using the WHS Dashboard - I don't recall ever being prompted to designate them as ADMIN or OTHER? Where is that specified? Seems pointless to use Server User accounts to control access if that actually won't work? I don't recall ever having this issue before...I've definitely tested it and it worked fine previously...so this seems very odd?

I'm not sure if this is a WHS 2011 issue or a DrivePool issue? I just realized that user accounts I've setup are able to access ALL shares - even those those user accounts are setup with "No Access" for various shares. I've tried resetting the permissions for several users - and under the shares - reset the permissions for the users - no luck. I even DELETED a user account on WHS and verified the user account on a home PC couldn't access the server at all (when I click on the server in Network - it prompts me for a username/password) - then I added the account back in - and setup the permissions for "no access" to several folders - but when I go back to the PC - ALL shares are accessible again? I thought I would have to log out on the PC and back in - but when I clicked on the server - I was able to see all shared folders without a PC reboot. I don't know where else to check/look. I know my way around PC's - but have not delved into security/permission settings in the OS. Any ideas?

Here's my scenario: - I have 7 drives in my pool - all are 4TB except for one 2TB. - I have 5.8 TB free in total - All drives were added last week and early this week (well I added several NEW and then swapped out old 2 TB drives). - The first 4 drives (one of which is the 2TB) each have 135 GB of free space - so obviously DrivePool balanced these out. - Of the remaining 3 drives, one has 414 GB free and the last 2 added (I know this based on the drive volume naming scheme) each have 2.44 TB free. So it seems DrivePool "balanced" the last 2 - 4TB drives out also - but does this "balancing" scheme make sense? Obviously any new files added to folder with duplication turned on will likely get added to the last 2 drives - so that shouldn't be an issue. I've never touched the settings in the "Balancers" tab in the "Balancing" settings. ALL have the checkboxes checked off. The settings are set to balance every day at 1am. It's been several days since I added the last 2 drives. Any concerns?

Gotcha...could be. Definitely would not have filed that away for long term use ;-) Thanks again. I have both servers back up and running - pulling my old green 2TB's and replacing with Red 4 TB's...lots of room to grow now.

Definitely didn't share it manually It was there as soon as I added the Drive to the pool. Odd. I stopped sharing and all is good.

As a followup to the last posting - I'm assuming I can just remove the "E" entry from being a shared item to resolve this - although not sure how it showed up there in the first place. The drive is listed as part of the pool and the total pool size definitely includes it. Thanks for the help/

Here's the screenshot - see the first item in the listing...thats the new Drive Letter http://imgur.com/LOivdzP

In addition to the 2 preceding posts - I was looking at the Dashboard and see that the new drive was added to the Pool, the size increased, the Pool tab shows the drive is part of the Pool - but in the "ServerFolders" tab - it shows the new drive - by Drive letter (E:\) as being a new ServerFolder? Under NAME it lists "E" - under LOCATION it lists 'E:\" I don't understand why it's showing up there this way - never had a new drive added to the pool show up here?

Oh, additional last question. On the new/second server - I turned of duplication for now on ALL folders (most are empty) - so I could remove some old drives and make room for new ones. The data on the OLD drives being moved into the new server have Duplication turned on. My assumption is that once I moved the Share folders / data into the "ServerFolders" folder (which as noted above I will need to create) on the newly added drive - and restart the DrivePool service - then DrivePool will start to delete the dupe files on the new drives? I ultimately DO want those files to remain duplicated - so I'm thinking I should set duplication back to YES on the various folders BEFORE I restart the DrivePool service - so nothing will get deleted. Does that make sense? I'm hanging out waiting to confirm it's ok to create a "ServerFolders" folder in the newly added drive - in the \PoolPArtxxx folder before I start moving...hope to hear back tonight...

Gotcha - perfect. One last question...in the link provided above it says to move the files into the newly created \PoolPartxxx folder on the added drive. But shouldn't I be moving the files into the \PoolPartxxx\ServerFolders\ folder? IE: I have all my files from the old server in the original "ServerFolders" folder - and within the ServerFolders folder - they are saved in the SAME folder names as the existing Shares on the second server. Or do the instructions imply that? I'm assuming If I move the entire "ServerFolders" folder into the new \PoolPartxxx folder - I should be set.

I don't use ANY USB with my Home Server - just an external Drive enclosure that holds 4 drives - connected to the server with an eSATA cable. The server sees all 4 drives individually (port multiplier enabled). So I've never had any issues on the server. In the past I've been able to drop a server drive in an external enclosure and connect to my laptop either via USB or eSATA with no issues...so this error message I received last night was very weird. Working fine now that I changed to the eSATA cable.

I guess stopping the DrivePool service ensures that DrivePool doesn't jump in and start balancing/duplicating while you're copying stuff in. Thanks for the tips. Other somewhat related question: I have the BIOS on my HP server set to allow hot swapping of drives (standard BIOS doesn't allow) - so I'm assuming I should be able to add drives in real time w/o having to shut down and restart the server. I will probably shut down to be safe though...