Expanding a Synology SHR Volume Without Data Loss: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you managing a Synology SHR volume with two 4 TB hard disks and looking to expand it to 8 TB without losing any data? This guide will walk you through the process, offering critical steps and important considerations to ensure a smooth transition.

Understanding SHR RAID

SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) is a unique RAID technology designed by Synology to provide both redundancy and scalability for your data. It can utilize drives of different sizes to create a larger, more flexible storage volume. However, when expanding an SHR volume, it is crucial to follow the correct steps to avoid any data loss or system instability.

Steps to Expand Your SHR Volume

1. Check Compatibility and Prepare Your Environment

Before you start the expansion process, it is essential to ensure that your Synology NAS is compatible and up-to-date. Here are the steps:

Check Compatibility: Ensure that your NAS supports SHR volume expansion and that it is running on the latest version of DiskStation Manager (DSM). Prepare for Data Migration: If you are planning to replace the existing drives, ensure that you have backed up all critical data as a precautionary measure.

2. Replace the Hard Disk Drives

To expand the volume size, you need to replace the existing 4 TB drives with larger ones, such as 8 TB drives. This process can be done in a step-by-step manner:

Remove the First Drive: Begin by replacing one of the 4 TB drives with an 8 TB drive. The SHR will automatically start to reconstruct the array with the new drive. Wait for the Rebuild Process: Allow the system to rebuild the RAID array. The exact duration can vary depending on the amount of data and the performance of the drives, but it can take several hours. Repeat for the Second Drive: Once the first drive is fully reconstructed, repeat the process for the second 4 TB drive.

3. Expand the Volume

Once both new drives have been installed and the RAID array is fully reconstructed, you can expand the volume:

Access Storage Manager: Log into the DiskStation Manager interface. Locate the SHR Volume: Select the SHR volume that you want to expand. Expand the Volume: Look for an option to expand the volume, which will utilize the additional space from the new 8 TB drives.

4. Monitor the Process

Throughout the expansion process, keep a close eye on system notifications and ensure that there are no errors during the rebuild and expansion.

Important Considerations

1. Data Backup

Even though SHR is designed for data redundancy, it is always a good practice to back up your critical data before performing any operations that involve changing the RAID configuration.

2. Downtime

Although the volume should remain accessible during this process, performance may degrade during the rebuild phase. Plan accordingly to minimize any impact on your system.

3. Drive Health

Ensure that all drives are healthy and functioning properly before starting the expansion process to minimize the risk of data loss.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to seamlessly expand your Synology SHR volume from 8 TB without any data loss. Remember, proper planning and attention to detail are key to a successful expansion.