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Relentim
Asked: 2011-11-23 09:15:33 +0800 CST

I have a 21TB array but only 16TB is visible from Windows

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CONTROLLER

  • Raid Controller: 3Ware 9650SE-24M8
  • Disks: 21 x 1TB RAID5
  • Stripe 64KB

WINDOWS

  • OS: Windows Server 2003 SP2 32x
  • Disk: Dynamic 19557.44GB
  • Volume: Capacity 15832.19GB

I guess my array must have a 4KB block size which is limiting it to 16TB. I think I would have to switch to a 64KB block size to be able to see a maximum of 256TB. Or create another unit on my controller to go above 16TB of storage.

Unfortunately I have already added over 16TB, ideally I would like to shrink the array and reclaim the 5 disks that aren't doing anything. I don't think this is possible. More likely, can I change the block size so 20TB becomes visible in windows?

EDIT:

My problem is the array has accepted over 16TB of disks but isn't displaying it. I can see no way to reclaim the disks without destroying the array or changing the cluster size. I'm concerned changing the cluster size might take days/weeks/months? using Acronis. I've opted to purchase four 3TB drives to migrate the data off and then I'll rebuild the array as two smaller volumes. Thanks for your help :)

windows-server-2003 raid ntfs hardware-raid 3ware

1 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    16TiB is the maximum volume size with 4K clusters.

    You'll need to do one of:

    • reformat with a larger cluster size
    • change the cluster size to 8K (apparently Acronis can do so)
    • create another NTFS volume so you can use that unallocated space. You can then mount that volume onto a folder in your C drive if you prefer having a single drive, but you'll have to remember you still have the 16TB/5TB restriction. (thx for the suggestion 'Multiverse IT')
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