Christopher (Drashna)
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Posts posted by Christopher (Drashna)
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You are pretty much spot on. However, if you have multiple "server backup" drives attached when you set up Server Backup, you can set up multiple drives. This way you can cycle them, and even store one or more offsite. However, you do have to have *all* of them attached when you set it up initially. (this is not a well documented "feature", unfortunately, because it's a VERY VERY important one)
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Unless anyone objects, I'm going to pin this thread, rename it and edit the first post, so anyone else using ESXi can easily find this.
Thanks guys for the input and feedback!!
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No it is not.
Could you do this:
http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_Dashboard_Freeze
as well as this:
http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_Scanner_for_WSS_Error_Reports
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Sorry that I couldn't have been of more help.
Hopefully, everything stays working just fine this time.
Also, do you have Server Backup setup already (just in case)? This would make it easier on you if there are issues.
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As long as both disks aren't in the pool at the same time, there should be no issue. But why not add the 4TB to the pool, and then remove the 2TB?
Namely, I ask, because that 2TB is likely formatted as "MBR", while that 4TB will most likely need to be formatted as GPT. (advanced formatting may not work when you clone the disks, which means you'd be limited to ~2TBs of space)
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Yes. As long as the drive provides the information via SMART. And a lot of the modern SSD include a "health" attribute of some sort which we monitor.
For instance, my OCZ Vertex 4 has some of the standard "wear" indicators (such as "reallocated sector count", and "Read Error Rate"). But it has a couple of specific attributes. Namely "Available Reserved Space", which measures the "secondary" data cells used when the primary ones wear (a good indicator of how much life may be left), as well as a "Media Wearout Indicator", whose name should be very intuitive.
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From what I can from the logs, it looks like most of the tabs are failing. Intermittently.
I'm not sure why, but the indication is that it is bad. Unfortunately, I'd recommend reinstalling the OS.
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If this is happening under heavy IO loads, it may be a "power management" option that is to blame here. Could you try following the link and see if that helps?
http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-7/set-pci-express-link-state-power-management/
If that doesn't help, let us know.
And IIRC, it detects the drive/controller and uses the "safe" methods for them based on the information submitted to BitFlock and based on feedback.
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@Arthur,
Very nice. I've used it a bit (was trying to get "diskless booting" working with it, unsuccessfully), and I can definitely agree with the "tricky" bit..
And Windows should remember the drive letter if the volume is the exact same one. Otherwise, it will auto-assign one, and could bump the letter.
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Look for the "Windows 7" version, it will be under that specifically.
http://stablebit.com/DrivePool/Download specificially
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It is checking duplication status of all the files, so if you have a lot of files, this could take a while.
Also, it is checking the "balancing" status of the data, as compared to the balancer settings.
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Shane is dead on.
Most onboard controllers you can only set the mode for the controller, and not individual drives.
There is a registry hack to allow you to change the mode of the boot drive, but it's a hack... and may cause issues.
Basically, it's best to set it first and then install WIndows.
Also, if you're using SSD, you absolutely must have AHCI enabled, as without it you won't get TRIM support (IIRC).
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Well, I'm sorry to hear about your drive, but at least you know that Scanner wasn't being over zealous or over sensitive. (IIRC we do use the manufacturer thresholds, as well as data that's been set to "BitFlock").
And I'm glad that you are pleased with our product!
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First thing to do is check the event viewer for any errors. But you've already done that.
Also, there are log files in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Server\Logs.
If you want to upload those to somewhere, and post a link, I can look through them.
Also, does uninstalling DrivePool fix this issue?
And does "http://servername/connect/" and "http://servername:55000/connect/" work?
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By unchecking the entries in the "File Placement Limiter", yes, it will move the files off of the drive. Automatically, if that's what the balancer is set to (how often it makes it's pass). I use this myself to remove disks from my pool, as I can just sit and let it do it's thing. And that way, disk removal should be very quick.
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Depends on what you mean by "monitors".
Scanner definitely grabs the SMART data from SSDs, as well as does the periodic file scans.
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kihimcarr,
Is it actually moving any of the data off of the drive?
Also, if you clear the drive off first, does it have issues as well?
(Use the "File Placement Limiter" balancer and uncheck "duplicated" and "unduplicated" for the drive in question).
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Sadly, TechNet is ending soon. And the IT world is PISSED. Namely, you have until the 31st (2 days left) to purchase or renew your TechNet account.
Otherwise, you "get" to use the eval software only, or Microsoft's "online labs". (or so that's what I've been told).... that or pay for MSDN. For somebody like Alex, that's fine as he needs the development tools. For me, I just need them for testing. The price difference? $200 for TechNet Standard, $350 for Pro, and $700 for the cheapest MSDN subscription (and that is *just* for the OS's...)
Sorry for the rant, but .... like I said, "pissed"...
As for the server, it depends. I like having the newer tech, and having active directory (I use a domain at home, as well as some of it's peripheral abilities like WIndows Deployment Service).
So it really depends on what you want out of your network. -
Okay, those are definitely good reasons. And i can definitely understanding want to reduce your "footprint", as well as electricity bill.
Well, everything but the TeamViewer... WHS2011 comes with a "Remote Desktop Gateway" which allows you to remote desktop into other machines on the network. Including the server. But it does "take over" the computer.
There is also VNC, which works much like Team Viewer.
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Absolutely.
The license isn't version specific and is compatible with both the 1.3.x version and the 2.x version. And can be transferred back and forth between versions. As well as the pool.
And if you don't mind me asking, why are you abandoning WHS?
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Codegear, thanks for the details!
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Critical updates until 2020 is my kind of talk, haha. That really clears up a lot of confusion -- thanks to you both!
Will definitely wait to see about S2012R2E -- seems like it might be exactly what I'm hoping for, and, ideally, not too expensive. (I guess $400ish is about what I'd expect?)
Yeah, definitely.
And welcome, not that Microsoft makes it easy to understand the support time frames....This site claims $501 for R2 Essentials, but we will see when it is actually released: http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-ups-price-on-windows-server-2012-r2-datacenter-by-28-percent-7000019168/
Around $400-500 would be my guess.That's been the going rate for "Small Business Server" (which is what 2012 (R2) Essentials basically was).
But yes, only time will tell.
That, and I'm sure there will be deals on it. Check newegg when it comes out, and amazon, and Tiger Direct, and .... You get the idea. For $400+, the trouble of price comparison because TOTALLY worth it.
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WIndows Storage Server 2008R2 Essentials is basically just WHS2011, but with 25 users and computers. It's also OEM only, and much more "regulated". It's very hard to find without using Technet/MSDN, IIRC.
And .... WHS isn't dead. In fact, the entire WHS2011 code is *what* makes Server 2012 Essentials what it is. Literally.
Also, end of mainstream support means that it only gets critical security updates, IIRC. And that will last as long as Server 2008R2 is supported.
Mainstream support for 2008R2 is Jan 2015... while extended support (aka critical updates) last until 2020. So that's a good long while.
And Server 2012 R2 *is* Server 8.1. As Server 2012 is Server 8.
Also, the "Essentials" Role (aka the code that made WHS) will be available on Standard and Datacenter versions of Server 2012R2, IIRC.
And I'd wait for Server 2012 R2 Essentials, if you want to go this route (which isn't a bad idea). Namely, because it handles bare metal restores better (can create a recovery disk from scratch, and may integrate drivers, as well as supports PXE, aka network booting of the recovery image).
SSD monitoring
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You are very welcome. I tried to be very thorough when I answer. And I'm glad it's appreciated. I've always hated the simple, short "yes"/"no" answers.
And if you're curious, the "media wearout indicator" stat on my server's SSD (system drive) (which is roughly a year old, and has had several installs onto it) is at "97%", so it's got a long time left, theoretically.