Aomei Dynamic Disk Manager
How to Extend/Expand Software RAID-5 Volume on Dynamic Disk Easily?
Note: This article applies to software RAID 5 dynamic disk. Content in this article may not be relevant to you. Visit resize hardware RAID 5 partition under Basic Disk Storage.
Introduction of RAID 5 volume
Redundant Array of Independent (Inexpensive) Disks are abbreviated as RAID, it's the kind of disk drives which contains more than two disks in connection for computer performance maximization and fault-tolerance ability.
RAID 5 is one advance dynamic volume type which holds the fault-tolerance like mirrored volume does. It can be created on the condition that three disks at least.
Dynamic volume management
People all know the limitations of the basic dynamic disk management like extend or shrink under different Windows Operating Systems, the form below can reflect the truth:
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(Note: The hooks—extend volume only available if there is unallocated space located behind the target volume).
Two ways to expand RAID-5 volume on dynamic disk
As an all-in-one dynamic disk storage management solution, Aomei Dynamic Disk Manager provides two methods to solve dynamic RAID-5 partition low disk space problem. You can choose more convenient one based on your practical situation.
Method 1: Expand RAID-5 volume into unallocated space
This method is available when the disk where each RAID-5 volume slice resides has some unallocated space. To generate unallocated space, you need to shrink volume.
Step1: Launch Aomei Dynamic Disk Manager Server. Right-click one of the RAID-5 volume slices in the graphic view, and select "Resize/Move Volume" in the drop-down menu.
Step2: In the pop-up window, position mouse pointer on the right slider and drag it rightwards to expand RAID-5 volume into the unallocated space. Then, click "OK".
Step3: You will preview the RAID-5 volume has been expanded. To save the changes, you need to click "Commit" on the toolbar.
Method 2: Add drive to RAID-5 array without re-creating
This method is very useful when there is no available free space on the disk. In such case, you cam add new disks to your system and convert to dynamic disk. After launching Aomei Dynamic Disk Manager Server, click "Add Drive to RAID". Learn more detailed instructions, please visit: Add a Drive to Software RAID 5 in Windows Server without Losing Data
Besides expanding RAID 5 dynamic disk with Aomei Dynamic Disk Manager Server Edition, you can also resize dynamic disk, extend dynamic system partition, extend mirrored volume, remove drive from RAID-5, etc. To try out more advanced features, you can free download demo version to expand RAID-5 volume without any data loss.
Tips: Aomei Dynamic Disk Manager Server Edition is single license which can be used on one server computer only while Aomei Dynamic Disk Manager Unlimited Edition allows unlimited usage within your company to save money
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