To do this, follow the below instructions:
Step 1: Creating a Storage Pool
Create a Storage Pool from SATA, USM, or USB Drives:
- Make sure all physical disks needed for the pool are installed.
- Go to Server Manager > File and Storage Services > Volumes > Storage Pools.
- Right-click in the window and select “New Storage Pool”.
- Click “Next”.
- Type a name and description.
- Choose the NAS.
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Click “Next”.
- Check the disks you want for the Pool.
- Choose whether you want the drive to be automatically configured or designate it as a Hot Spare (to immediately replace a failed drive).
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Click “Next”.
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Select "Create".
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Your new Storage Pool should show in Server Manager.
Step 2: Create a Storage Space
Create a Storage Space (Virtual Drive) Using the Storage Pool:
- Right-click on the Storage Pool you would like to use for the Virtual Disk and select New Virtual Disk.
- Click “Next”.
- Select the Storage Pool and click “Next”.
- Type in a Name for the Volume and a Description.
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Click “Next”.
- Choose the Layout (Simple [Striped], Mirror, Parity [Similar to RAID-5]).
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Click “Next”.
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Choose Thin or Fixed provisioning.
- Thin: Uses space, as needed, from the storage pool. Drives can be added to the storage pool and that space would be available for the thinly provisioned virtual disk.
- Fixed: Choose a set amount of space from the pool for the volume. Data usage can’t go over that.
- Click “Next”.
- Choose the Size of the virtual disk.
- Note that for thin-provisioned drives, you can set the capacity to larger than you have in the pool at the moment.
- Click “Next”.
- Then select Create on the next screen.
Step 3: Create a Volume on the Virtual Drive
The New Volume Wizard Appears After Virtual Disk Creation:
- Click “Next”.
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Select the Server and the virtual disk, which will be using this partition, and click "Next".
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Choose the Size (capacity) and click "Next".
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Choose the Drive letter or folder and click "Next".
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Choose the File system settings, and click "Next".
- Select Create on the confirmation screen.