How to add additional storage (disks) to an UNRAID server

Do you need to add additional storage in your UNRAID server (NAS) or maybe you're just looking to add some extra drives to future proof the amount of storage available in your UNRAID NAS?

In this video, I walk through the process of adding an additional data disk into an UNRAID NAS to increase our total data storage capacity and, in addition to that, I cover over some of the considerations that you should take into account when adding additional components (in this case, hard drives) such as PSU requirements, motherboard compatibility and some tips on how to avoid headaches if your new hard drive is DOA!

The server case that is featured in this video (for those interested) is a Logic Case SC-39480G-ATX (Black)

The version of UNRAID installed and featured in this tutorial video is: UNRAID 6.10.3 (but should 100% work on past and present versions of UNRAID too!)

#unraid #wdred #harddisk #nas #serverbuild #homeserver #synology #reclaimedhardware #truenas

[anthonychallis]

Hi, yet again you have come to my rescue. Your video clearly explains what needs to be done. I'd pretty much done it on my own, but I forgot the part where you have to stop the array to actually add the disk DOH! The good news is that i'm up and running with a shiny new 8TB Ironwolf HDD added to my Unraid server. Its amazing just how much storage you consume when you start adding UHD Blu-Rays to your media collection. Thanks for your clear explanations.

[TheMeryn]

Hey, thanks for the vid!
On my current version of Unraid, I didn't have the red cross next to the drive at around the 12:18 mark in the video.
The clear function seems to be off by default (called "destruction mode") and needs to be added in settings for anyone wondering for future reference!

[BauerPowerTech]

You ROCK Man! Keep doing what you're doing. This video really helped. And it's been a while since we've seen ya. I'm in the same boat; YouTube is exhausting. But you are making a difference. Thanks for creating. I know how hard it is.

[vetnet]

Thank you for this tutorial! (and it really helps to read thru the comments)

[username]

You installed the preclear plugin but never used it!

[ryanandersen]

Thanks man, very good simple instructions!

[moonstomper]

500W was more than enough to power that 1 additional red pro drive as they are typically only 7w units, especially with the older CPU and no GPU for transcoding installed. But I can understand going to the 750W for future upgradability.

[Sandtrap]

Hi, thank you this video. It helped me a little further. Now i just have the problem that I can not format my SSD. I dont have the little red "x". Any ideas on how to get it?

[SnaxMuppet]

Great video. Thanks. You said something that is not quite correct... you said that the largest drive you can install into an Unraid server must be equal to or less than the size of the parity disk. This is true only when talking about adding a disk to the array. You can still install a larger disk into an Unraid server as an unassigned disk. Alternatively, you could replace the existing parity disk with the new larger one, use the old parity disk as a data disk and add that to the array, then rebuild parity. You would have a period where the array is not protected by parity but you could still potentially do that safely if you have backups. It is a small point but I just wanted to mention that so people don't get the wrong info.

[jbyrne]

200 pound for 6Tb? Seems pretty steep.
I just got a 10Tb segate for $330 aud. Which I assume is around 150-200 pound.

[dave]

Note, you need to enable destructive mode for the clear/format button to appear. Settings > Unassigned Devices > Change destructive mode to "enable"

Also, if the drive is already formatted, it should not have any files already on it, otherwise there will be no option to clear the drive. Can delete them using Krusader.

[AaronEvans]

So I don't fully understand the whole deal with the parity drive but is it safe to assume that the parity drive can not be used for regular storage and as such should not be considered towards your total storage when you plan to build, aside from the fact it needs to be the largest drive?

[Pro-Bert]

Hi, I want to install a Unraid setup for the first time this weekend and will certainly need to add a hard drive or two later. There your information will help me well. 🙂
Can you maybe help me with my Unraid configuration? I'm not sure yet if I even need a disk for the cache, since all the disks I will use are SSD.
My configuration is a 2TB nvme, it's mounted in an Intel Nuc. Then I wanted to connect two external SSD with also 2TB each individually via USB 3.2 (10 Gbit). At first I thought I would use the nvme as a parity disk and the two externals as a storage pool. Assuming I don't need to cache with ssd disks.
If I need a cache hard drive despite ssd's, would it be best to take the nvme for cache and one external as storage and one external as parity?
Thanks a lot 🙂

[jamesswift]

Hey, nice video. Thanks for making it! Just some constructive feedback - the fast-forward sections of the video could do with some music instead of the jarring sped-up tape sound effects. It's a bit unpleasant on the ears at the moment. You could dub a walkthrough voice-over on top of some chilled open-source music instead for a better viewer experience. I liked your detailed explanations and thought the video had a good structure. Great video all in all :)