5.4.2 Creating a Logical Drive on an Existing Array

After creating an array, continue to build the storage space by creating more logical drives on that array. Use the On Existing Array configuration method to step through the process of creating a logical drive on an existing array, setting the RAID level, and configuring other settings.

To create a logical drive on a new array, see Creating a Logical Drive on a New Array.

By default, maxView Storage Manager uses all available disk space to maximize the capacity of a new logical drive.

Note: Logical drives can be added/created by selecting the existing array from the Enterprise view.

To create a logical drive on an existing array:

  1. In the Enterprise View, select a system, then select a controller on that system.
  2. On the ribbon, in the Logical Device group, click Create Logical Device.
  3. When the wizard opens, select On Existing Array, then click Next.
  4. Select the array on which to create the logical drive, then click Next.
    Note:

    For details on SED support operations on an existing array while creating a logical device, see Create Logical Device.

  5. Select a RAID level for the logical drive, then click Next.
    Note: Not all RAID levels are supported by all controllers. (See the Release Notes for more information.) See Selecting the Best RAID Level for more information about RAID levels.
  6. (Optional) In the RAID Attributes panel, customize the logical drive settings.

    You can:

    • Enter a name for the logical drive. Names can include any combination of letters, numbers, and spaces.
      Note: Duplicate logical device names are not allowed.
    • Set the size and unit of measure for the logical drive. (By default, a new logical drive uses all available disk space.)
    • Change the stripe size—the amount of data, in bytes, written per disk in the logical drive. (The default stripe size usually provides the best performance.) The allowed stripe size value depends on the controller's maximum safe stripe size (12MB) and the number of data drive(s) selected.
      (Max Safe Full Stripe Size / StripeSizeMultiplier) =Allowed Stripe Size
      >=10241024, 512, 256, 128, 64, 32, 16
      > =512 and <1024512, 256, 128, 64, 32, 16
      > =256 and <512256, 128, 64, 32, 16
      > =128 and <256128, 64, 32, 16
      > =64 and <128 64, 32, 16
      > =32 and <6432, 16
      > =16 and <3216
      Following are the StripeSizeMultiplier for different RAID levels:
      • RAID 1, 1Triple: StripeSizeMultiplier = 1
      • RAID 0, 5, 6: StripeSizeMultiplier = SelectedDriveCount
      • RAID10: StripeSizeMultiplier = SelectedDriveCount / 2
      • RAID10Triple: StripeSizeMultiplier = SelectedDriveCount / 3
      • RAID 50, 60: StripeSizeMultiplier = SelectedDriveCount / parity_group_count
    • Enable or disable controller caching.
    • Set the initialization method to Default or Build. The initialization method determines how the logical drive is prepared for reading and writing, and how long initialization will take:
      • Default—Initializes parity blocks in the background while the logical drive is available for access by the operating system. A lower RAID level results in faster parity initialization.
      • Build—Overwrites both the data and parity blocks in the foreground. The logical drive remains invisible and unavailable to the operating system until the parity initialization process completes. All parity groups are initialized in parallel, but initialization is faster for single parity groups (RAID 5). RAID level does not affect performance during Build initialization.
      Note: Not all initialization methods are available for all RAID levels.

    • Create an encrypted or plaintext logical drive (for more information, see Working with maxCrypto™ Devices)

  7. Click Next, then review the array and logical drive settings.

    This example shows a RAID 0 logical drive to be created on Array A.

  8. Click Finish.

    maxView Storage Manager builds the logical drive on the array. Use the Event Log and Task Log to track build progress.

  9. If you have other disk drives or available disk space and want to create more logical drives on an existing array, repeat Steps 2-8.
  10. Repeat Steps 1-9 for each controller in your storage space.
  11. Partition and format your logical drives. See Partitioning and Formatting Your Logical Drives.