User Manual

Both horizontal and vertical expansion is available for X-RAID and Flex-RAID volumes.
X-RAID makes horizontal volume expansion easy. If your X-RAID volume includes two or more disks, the
volume expands automatically when you add disks.
When you expand a Flex-RAID volume you need to add disks in increments compatible with the RAID level
of the volume.
You can continue to use your ReadyNAS system while the new disks are incorporated in the background.
The process of volume expansion can take several hours. If you set up email notifications for your system,
you receive an email message when the process finishes. For more information about alert notifications,
see Configure System Alerts on page 163.
Horizontally Expand an X-RAID Volume
To horizontally expand an X-RAID volume:
Add a disk to an X-RAID volume that includes two or more disks.
For more information about how to add a disk to your ReadyNAS system, see the hardware manual for your
system, which is available at https://www.netgear.com/support/product/ReadyNAS_OS_6.aspx.
The system automatically determines whether the new disk is used for protection or storage.When you add
a second disk, the new disk is used for data protection. When you add a third or fourth disk, the new disk
is used to increase your storage capacity. For more information, see X-RAID on page 23. New disks are
incorporated in the background while you continue to use your storage system.
Horizontally Expand a Flex-RAID Volume
Horizontal expansion of a Flex-RAID volume is possible, but more complex and less space efficient than
expanding an X-RAID volume. In effect, you create a new Flex-RAID volume and ReadyNAS OS uses both
the existing and new volumes as parts of the same larger volume. Other configurations are possible, but
We recommend expanding the volume by the same number of disks as the original volume; for example,
expand a 3-disk RAID 5 Flex-RAID volume by adding three disks.
To horizontally expand a Flex-RAID volume:
1. Add disks to the ReadyNAS, if necessary.
For more information about how to add a disk to your ReadyNAS system, see the hardware manual for
your system, which is available at http://www.netgear.com/support/product/ReadyNAS_OS_6.
2. Log in to the local admin page.
3. Select System > Volumes.
4. Select the volume to expand.
5. Select the unallocated disks to add to the volume.
When you select disks additional buttons appear on the volume.
6. Select the Expand button.
A Window opens asking you to verify you want to expand the volume.
7. Select the Yes button.
The volume expands immediately, but requires a resync, which starts immediately. The volume display
includes a resync progress bar.
Volume Configuration
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ReadyNAS OS 6.9.3