Raid 5 HDD Replacement with different Manufacturer?

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HnyBear

HnyBear

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May 13, 2009
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I have a Raid array that unfortunately was built with 4x3TB Seagate Barracuda drives (ST3000DM001). These drives have proven to be highly unreliable and I've already had to replace 3 out of the 4 in under 2 years via warranty.

I'd like to start replacing the drives with a more stable brand. I'm thinking of going with WD Red Pro HDDs (WD3001FFSX).

My question is 2 part;

1. Can i replace the Seagate drives 1 by 1 as they fail with the WD Red Pros without any issues?
2. Will it matter that the WD drives are TLER enabled and the Seagate drives are not?
 
Solution
drtweak
You can go one of two ways.

1) If you have enough ports on the RAID, Addin the WD Reds, make the RAID and then clone/copy data from old RAID to new RAID.

2) The option you suggest. You can either 1) replace them AS they die if money is an issue or 2) Replace one, let it rebuild, once it is done rebuilding replace the next one in line until they are all replaced.

Either way Try to make a backup of your data or at least the imprtatant data. This is why I won't make a RAID larger than my backup drive. I just have a bunch of RAID 0's but I have backups of everything. 4TB RAID 0 has a single 4TB backup drive that i clone to. That is just me. Can't afford much more than a 4TB drive so I try not to go over even though I may have to but...
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drtweak

drtweak

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Sep 17, 2012
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You can go one of two ways.

1) If you have enough ports on the RAID, Addin the WD Reds, make the RAID and then clone/copy data from old RAID to new RAID.

2) The option you suggest. You can either 1) replace them AS they die if money is an issue or 2) Replace one, let it rebuild, once it is done rebuilding replace the next one in line until they are all replaced.

Either way Try to make a backup of your data or at least the imprtatant data. This is why I won't make a RAID larger than my backup drive. I just have a bunch of RAID 0's but I have backups of everything. 4TB RAID 0 has a single 4TB backup drive that i clone to. That is just me. Can't afford much more than a 4TB drive so I try not to go over even though I may have to but up and buy a 6 or 8 TB drive soon or make multiple RAID 0's which I have but they are just 2TB's RAID 0's which is getting kinda small.
 
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Mr_Limo

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May 5, 2016
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You can replace with whatever brand you want, but do not make the mistake of trying to replace with a drive that has a lower sector count. Make sure the count is the same or higher and you're fine. Replacing one at a time is fine, letting it rebuild completely after each is replaced, but as drtweak said, backup before you do so.
 
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HnyBear

HnyBear

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How can I check the sector counts between the t different drive types? I don't own a WD Red Pro yet. I'm planning on buying one as each Seagate dies since I'm really broke.
 
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drtweak

drtweak

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yea the sector count is a big deal as well. I tired looking around but couldn't find anything. I usually don't have that kind of issue as they try to make them the same sector count but not always. as long as it has the same or more you will be fine.
 
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Mr_Limo

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Sorry about the delayed reply, been out of pocket for a bit... Manufacturer spec sheet will tell you. Most of the time, they're the same within the same manufacturer. You can find spec sheets on the websites.
 
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