ReadyNAS OS 6.9.3 allows you to remove existing RAID groups from a volume without data loss. The ReadyNAS will inform you of which changes are necessary at the time you request to remove a RAID group, if any exist. Tiers can also be removed as they are considered RAID groups.
Removing RAID groups can be beneficial for several reasons:
- If you do not need the extra space from an existing group
- If you need to consolidate RAID groups (example: migrating from smaller drives to larger drives without replacing each drive)
- If you didn't want, don't need, or are not benefitting from Tiering, you can remove the tiered RAID group from the volume
You must have sufficient free space on the volume to remove the additional capacity added with a RAID group. If you do not have sufficient free space, you will be required to remove data before you can reduce the number of RAID groups attached to a volume. There must be at least 1 RAID group per volume.
Please note that you cannot remove layers of vertically expanded X-RAID volumes. RAID group addition and removal work solely with horizontally expanded X-RAID volumes (in Flex-RAID) and Flex-RAID volumes only.
To remove a RAID group from a volume
- Navigate to the Admin Page
- Go to System > Volumes
- Under the volume, select the dropdown box and select the RAID group you wish to remove. If no dropdown list appears, that volume does not have multiple RAID groups.
- On the right, click the (X) icon.
A dialog appears. - If you cannot remove the RAID group, you're prompted with instructions to follow.
- If you can remove the RAID group, type REMOVE when prompted, then click OK.
The removal takes place.