Upgrading RocketRAID 2720SGL to RocketRAID 3740A

[Awanbileyerheid]

I'm not getting any response from HighPoint (email, chat, forum) so, if I may, I will post the question here and offer thanks in advance to anyone who can answer the questions.

I am using Windows 7 SP1 with 32GB ram (until I can get everything migrated to my Windows 10 drive) but in the meantime, I need to add some storage to my existing system.

Currently, I have maxed out my RocketRAID 2720SGL with 8 4TB drives set up in a RAID6 array. I would like to know if a RocketRAID 3740A will recognize the existing RAID6 array and allow me to add 4 additional 4TB drives without destroying the existing data?

I know that more than one HighPoint RocketRAID controller can exist in the same machine but if I set up a separate RAID 6 Array, 2 of the 4 drives that I want to add will be used for parity which will significantly reduce the storage capacity.

(I'm sure you are wondering so I will answer the expected question - I have over 3,000 movies stored on the array including 4K and 3D versions - lots of storage needed!)

I look forward to finding the answer so I can add this storage. Thanks again.

 

[newtekie1]

According to Highpoint when I asked them a similar question, you can move an array from any Highpoint card to any other and the array will be recognized as long as both cards support the RAID type used by the array.

 

[Awanbileyerheid]

Thanks very much for your reply. I have ordered the card and will let you know how it goes.

 

[newtekie1]

Thanks very much for your reply. I have ordered the card and will let you know how it goes.

I've moved arrays on highpoint cards before and it's always gone smoothly. I went from a RocketRAID 620(which had 5 drives attached ot it) to a RocketRAID 2722(which now has 15 drives attached to it).

Highpoint stores the RAID Metadata on the drives, so you should be able to just plug the drives into the new card and the array will instantly be recognized without you needing to do anything else.

 

[Awanbileyerheid]

Changeover went as you anticipated - no issues. Thank you for your info. The card is actually a 3740A/840A.

I replaced the two failed and failing Seagate drives with HGST HUS724040ALE 4TB drives both of which rebuilt nicely; however, when checking the HighPoint BIOS at boot, the 2 HGST drives are only showing as SATA300. The other 6 remaining Seagates show SATA600. I replaced the cable but it made no difference.

The specs on the HGST's are 7200RPM, SATA 6GB/sec so it should be operating and showing as SATA600 in the BIOS. Any idea what's up with that???

I have to say also (as an aside) that I am disappointed that the BIOS on this card does not show that the drives are in a RAID6 array. I had hoped that since this card was newer than the
2720SGL (which does not display RAID6 in the BIOS either) that they would have added the ability to detect RAID6. Shows up properly in the Raid Management software of course, but anyone who was not aware of this shortcoming in the BIOS would think that there were no drives attached to the card and no RAID array set up.

 

[newtekie1]

Changeover went as you anticipated - no issues. Thank you for your info. The card is actually a 3740A/840A.

I replaced the two failed and failing Seagate drives with HGST HUS724040ALE 4TB drives both of which rebuilt nicely; however, when checking the HighPoint BIOS at boot, the 2 HGST drives are only showing as SATA300. The other 6 remaining Seagates show SATA600. I replaced the cable but it made no difference.

The specs on the HGST's are 7200RPM, SATA 6GB/sec so it should be operating and showing as SATA600 in the BIOS. Any idea what's up with that???

I have to say also (as an aside) that I am disappointed that the BIOS on this card does not show that the drives are in a RAID6 array. I had hoped that since this card was newer than the
2720SGL (which does not display RAID6 in the BIOS either) that they would have added the ability to detect RAID6. Shows up properly in the Raid Management software of course, but anyone who was not aware of this shortcoming in the BIOS would think that there were no drives attached to the card and no RAID array set up.

I have no idea, I used the alternate BIOS on mine that skips the long detection screen and all that so I do all my configuration in the OS.