I have a Windows 2003 Small Business Server which I purchased from
Dell. I have a 3 Drive Raid setup with the drives partitioned like
this:
12 gig for Windows
488 gig for file serving
The 12 gigs is now not enough, as windows continues to download large
updates. Additionally, the Exchange Server is running off the C and
grows daily.
Ideally, I'd like to repartition the drives, giving perhaps 50 gigs to
windows, and 450 for file serving. Another solution, perhaps
temporary, would be to redirect the exchange databases onto the file
server to free up space.
Thank you. |
Clarification of Question by
durso-ga
on
11 May 2006 10:25 PDT
What I'm looking to do is repartition the drives without having to
format and reinstall everything if possible ... Re-installing and
configuring all the SBS paramaters (Exchange, etc.) is a huge ordeal.
If thats what I have to do - is there an easy way to take a 'snapshot'
of the current configuration and with an external HDD just mirror and
restore?
|
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
11 May 2006 11:21 PDT
durso...
Taking a 'snapshot' of the current configuration would amount
to cloning the setup to an external drive. When you restore,
you would have the same partition sizes you have now, and I'm
not sure about whether you can clone a raid configuration.
I'm also not sure how well Partition Magic works with a RAID
array, but with normal drives, it's fairly easy to use to
resize partitions - especially if you're willing to leave
Exchange Server and other programs in their current locations.
Partition Magic
http://www.powerquest.com/home_homeoffice/products/system_performance/pm80/index.html
The user's manual for PM8 states that:
"PartitionMagic supports hardware RAID level 0 (disk striping)
and RAID level 5 (striping with parity)."
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/products/pmagic/pmagic_8/manuals/PM8.PDF
Let me know where this takes you...
sublime1-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
durso-ga
on
15 May 2006 11:02 PDT
Thanks, thats looks like a great possibility, except that it says the
maximum drive size is 160 gigs (I'm at 500) and it doesn't explicitly
say it supports Windows Server ... I can't afford to take a risk
because the whole company's data and email are at stake. Otherwise
this appears to be the perfect solution...
|
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
15 May 2006 13:13 PDT
durso...
I see the 160GB limit mentioned in the PDF. Oddly, on the website,
it says:
"Supports operations on partition sizes as large as 300 GB when
partition is less than 90% full. Larger hard drives may require
additional memory."
Bottom of the page:
http://www.powerquest.com/home_homeoffice/products/system_performance/pm80/features.html
But I also understand your hesitation about 2003 Server not
being specifically mentioned.
You asked about a way to make a 'snapshot', and another customer
recently pointed me to this product, CasperXP:
http://www.fssdev.com/
However, once again there's no specific mention of 2003 Server,
except this 'unofficial' remark in the FAQs:
"While Casper XP SBE can be used to clone a Windows Server 2003,
Windows 2000 Server, or Windows 2000 Advanced Server system,
such use is not officially supported by Future Systems Solutions."
http://www.fssdev.com/products/casperxp_sbe/faq.aspx#q1
It seems to support RAID configurations:
http://www.fssdev.com/products/casperxp_sbe/faq.aspx#q8
So you might be able to clone the configuration and then
play with one or the other to test Partition Magic. As
with Casper, I suspect PM would work with 2003 Server,
but is not officially supported.
Let me know where this takes you...
sublime1-ga
|
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
15 May 2006 13:33 PDT
durso...
Image for Windows looks pretty good, too:
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/imagew.html
There's a write-up about it here:
http://www.pcnet-online.com/content/utilities/bare-metal-recovery.htm
|
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
15 May 2006 13:37 PDT
BootIt Next Generation, from the same company, also looks good:
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/prodgrid.html
|
Clarification of Question by
durso-ga
on
16 May 2006 13:12 PDT
Thanks for the updates. I Looked at BootITNG and that looked good
because it said it supported W2003, however I looked at the manual and
didn't find anything about RAID or GB limit. However, that got me
thinking and I was able to find a company called Acronis. They have a
program called Disk Director, and, more importantly they have a 'live
chat' feature, I had this dialogue with the rep:
Chat InformationThank you for contacting Acronis! The chat operator
will be with you approximately in 0 minute(s) and 29 seconds. Thank
you for waiting.
Chat InformationYou are now chatting with 'Sebastian'
Sebastian: Hello! Thank you for contacting Acronis Sales Team! My name
is Sebastian, how can I assist you?
Joe: Hi Sebastian, can I use your product on Windows Server 2003?
Sebastian: Please tell me what Acronis product you are interested in?
Joe: Disk Director Suite 10
Sebastian: I am afraid that Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0 doesn't
support server operating systems, please use Acronis Disk Director
Server 10.0 instead:
http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/diskdirector/
Sebastian: Acronis software is available for purchasing at:
http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/sales/online/
Joe: Does that support RAID?
Sebastian: Yes, Acronis Disk Director Server 10.0 supports all-level hardware RAID.
Sebastian: Please download the trial version of Acronis Disk Director
Server 10.0 to see how it recognizes your RAID set:
http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/download/ADDSrv/
Sebastian: With the trial version you are able to see how it works on
your computer. Please note that only partitions of the minimum size (1
cylinder ~ 7,8 MBytes) can be created (both in Windows and in rescue
mode).
Joe: does ADDS have a GB limit?
Sebastian: Is supports partitions up to 2Tb.
Joe: OK, So i have Windows Small Business Server 2003 installed on a
RAID 5, 3 disk configuration (500GB total) ... I want to increase the
C: from 12GB to 50GB - that won't be a problem?
Sebastian: We don't expect any problems while performing this operation.
Joe: OK Great, thank you.
So it appears I can download the trial and verify that it should work
on my system. This appears to be the solution since they have a
program specifically for servers. So, I'm going to backup all my
files and run the trial on Friday night. If it works, then I'll go
for the whole thing which will give me the weekend to set my hair on
fire if it doesn't work. Anything I'm missing? Thanks for the
direction, btw.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
16 May 2006 23:15 PDT
durso...
TrueImage was one of the programs profiled on the link I gave
you at PCnet.com:
http://www.pcnet-online.com/content/utilities/bare-metal-recovery.htm
He had nothing but good things to say, so I think you're good to go.
Just make sure you get a good backup. Acronis has a User's Guide here:
http://download.acronis.com/pdf/DiskDirectorServer10.0_ug.en.pdf
Good luck, and I hope you get to keep your hair!
Let me know how it goes...
sublime1-ga
|
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
18 May 2006 01:48 PDT
Perhaps you could post a clarification regarding the value
of my responses to your question. Have they served as a
satisfactory answer?
sublime1-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
durso-ga
on
18 May 2006 07:00 PDT
Hi Sublime,
This is my first time doing this. I believe you've given me enough
information to solve the problem, I'll happily give you the $20.00...
Do you have to post an 'answer'? Let me know thanks. If my harddrive
catches fire I'm going to hunt you down tho! ahah
|
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
18 May 2006 11:04 PDT
durso...
Yes, I have to post a formal answer in a box which is only
available to researchers. If you'd prefer to wait until you
determine your outcome on Friday, that's fine.
sublime1-ga
|
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
22 May 2006 23:22 PDT
durso?
|
Clarification of Question by
durso-ga
on
01 Jun 2006 04:51 PDT
What does that mean? I still don't understand. What do you need me to do?
|
durso...
Since you had written:
"So, I'm going to backup all my files and run the trial on Friday
night. If it works, then I'll go for the whole thing which will
give me the weekend to set my hair on fire if it doesn't work."
...I was asking if you'd prefer to wait until you determined your
outcome on Friday, before I posted a formal answer. Given the
confusion you've now expressed, I'll make the assumption that
it's okay with you if I post the answer, and take my chances
that you'll hunt me down... ; )
-------------------------------------------------------------
Taking a 'snapshot' of the current configuration would amount
to cloning the setup to an external drive. When you restore,
you would have the same partition sizes you have now, and I'm
not sure about whether you can clone a raid configuration.
I'm also not sure how well Partition Magic works with a RAID
array, but with normal drives, it's fairly easy to use to
resize partitions - especially if you're willing to leave
Exchange Server and other programs in their current locations.
Partition Magic
http://www.powerquest.com/home_homeoffice/products/system_performance/pm80/index.html
The user's manual for PM8 states that:
"PartitionMagic supports hardware RAID level 0 (disk striping)
and RAID level 5 (striping with parity)."
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/products/pmagic/pmagic_8/manuals/PM8.PDF
---
I see the 160GB limit mentioned in the PDF. Oddly, on the website,
it says:
"Supports operations on partition sizes as large as 300 GB when
partition is less than 90% full. Larger hard drives may require
additional memory."
Bottom of the page:
http://www.powerquest.com/home_homeoffice/products/system_performance/pm80/features.html
But I also understand your hesitation about 2003 Server not
being specifically mentioned.
You asked about a way to make a 'snapshot', and another customer
recently pointed me to this product, CasperXP:
http://www.fssdev.com/
However, once again there's no specific mention of 2003 Server,
except this 'unofficial' remark in the FAQs:
"While Casper XP SBE can be used to clone a Windows Server 2003,
Windows 2000 Server, or Windows 2000 Advanced Server system,
such use is not officially supported by Future Systems Solutions."
http://www.fssdev.com/products/casperxp_sbe/faq.aspx#q1
It seems to support RAID configurations:
http://www.fssdev.com/products/casperxp_sbe/faq.aspx#q8
So you might be able to clone the configuration and then
play with one or the other to test Partition Magic. As
with Casper, I suspect PM would work with 2003 Server,
but is not officially supported.
Image for Windows looks pretty good, too:
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/imagew.html
There's a write-up about it here:
http://www.pcnet-online.com/content/utilities/bare-metal-recovery.htm
BootIt Next Generation, from the same company, also looks good:
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/prodgrid.html
---
TrueImage was one of the programs profiled on the link I gave
you at PCnet.com:
http://www.pcnet-online.com/content/utilities/bare-metal-recovery.htm
He had nothing but good things to say, so I think you're good to go.
Just make sure you get a good backup. Acronis has a User's Guide here:
http://download.acronis.com/pdf/DiskDirectorServer10.0_ug.en.pdf
Good luck, and I hope you get to keep your hair!
sublime1-ga |
,
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