Upgrading my HDDs step by step possible?
Hello,
I am currently running a DXP4800+ with the following configuration:
- 2 × 12 TB HDDs (RAID 1) for media storage
- 2 × 1 TB HDDs (RAID 1) for testing and experimentation
- 1 × 512 GB M.2 SSD for applications
My long-term goal is to consolidate all HDDs into a single RAID 6 array (approximately 24 TB usable capacity) to achieve maximized data protection. The M.2 SSD would remain dedicated to applications, and I am considering adding a second M.2 SSD (1–2 TB) to act as a cache for the HDD array.
Since upgrading everything at once would be quite costly, I am planning a step-by-step approach and would appreciate some guidance on feasibility:
Replace the two 1 TB drives with a third 12 TB drive.
Add a fourth 12 TB drive and transition all four drives into a RAID 6 array — ideally without data loss or requiring a full reinitialization.
Add a second M.2 SSD later to enable caching for the HDD array.
My main concern is whether the transition from the current RAID 1 setup to a RAID 6 configuration can be performed without data loss, or if a full backup and rebuild would be unavoidable.
I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights on this upgrade path.
Best regards