Guardian vs 4.0.860 (US)

[crystallake]

It's been a while, I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question or answered elsewhere.

I have a 4500 that I have been running 4.0.860 (US) on for nearly two years now without a problem. I have three 120gb drives tied together in a RAID assembly and a fourth as a hot spare. I used to use all four but was caught with my shorts down as I missed a HD failure warning.

What is the max storage 4.0.860 can manage? The largest HDs I can upgrade to under this OS?

Is it the same for Guardian? If so, what advantage if any for guardian if I am a one box shop?

thx

[blue68f100]

If it's a 4500 it probably running the guardian OS. The version you posted is SnapOS used on 4000,4100's.The SnapOs has a 1T limit for the array. The Guardian OS is around 23T used on the 4200 & 4500's. So you need to confirm models and OS version. The SnapOS units mostly have the OS in flashram, The guardian OS is located on the HD's.

If upgrading the a GuardianOS unit, make sure you disable the SnapShots in the diaster recovery, AV and backbone BU if you use it. These will make it difficult if not disabled.

[crystallake]

sorry... label on the bottom shows it is a M4100, I should have looked closer

[crystallake]

really confused now.. the FAQ here states
What is the largest drive I can Install in a Snap 4100?

A. The 4100 DOES NOT SUPPORT HD's > 137gig. You can install larger drives, but it will be limited to 137gig. raw capacity.

but blue68f100 states it can address 1TB... I cannot get 1TB from four 137gigs

What am I missing here? It is a 4100 running 4.0.860 and I have the 4.0.860 exe file if I need it again, can you recommend the largest HD for this unit to get up to 1TB?

perhaps even a model number

[blue68f100]

The Snap OS has a 1T limit. Applies to all SnapOS hardware.

The 4100 is a special case. It does not support LBA48bit, meaning it will be capped at <137gig/HD (~130 usable). It does reconizes the larger drives but can not use the extra capacity. Generally I recommend purchasing the best drives for the money. So if you can get 250 cheaper that 120 or 160's do so. Just know the capacity will be capped at ~130gig each).

The 4100's also has some MB problems and requires a mod to support larger HD's (>60's 240gig model). Most of these units were repaired on a factory recall. But some were not located and units of smaller capacity were not modified to accept the larger drives.

So you need to inspect your MB and see if the mod has been done. 1 motherboard that I know of came through here with the -003 mad and did not have the repair. So a physical inspection is required.

As to mfg, I would recommend the WD Interprise HD's. Raid Edition. These work best with the SnapOS since it is very sensitive to timing. I do not like the Maxtors drives, high failure rate.