I have a PR4100 32TB configured with four 8TB drives configured for RAID-5, which runs PLEX Media Server (PMS) software with lots of movies and TV series that I’ve collected. I currently have approximately 5TB left of storage available, and was thinking of doing an upgrade to 4 larger drives. I would like recommendations on the best method for upgrading my PMS. The OS5 software and PMS is up-to-date. Also, I would like to know if I can still access my PMS while the upgrade is in progress. Thank you very much in advance for your recommendations and prompt response.
You have a Pro My Cloud with four bays. You need to post in the sub-forum for your device.
Latest My Cloud OS 5/My Cloud PR topics - WD Community
You want a drive rated for NAS service (which is a 24/7/365 application)
The only drives to really avoid are WD Red series. Stick with Red Plus or Red Pro. The difference between Red Plus and Red Pro is, I believe, drive platter speed. In a NAS unit, I think you are limited by the network speed, not the drive speed, so I don’t think the drive speed matters.
I have read that WD S.M.A.R.T. marks an error for any drive over x (x=2?) years old. . . I may be wrong on that. You might want to confirm that point (and I am not sure if that flag is from the drive, or from the NAS).
The only Real key is to avoid any drive using SMR. You want CMR drives (WD Red= SMR for
smaller drives, Red Plus = CMR all sizes). If you can’t find this clearly written, the drive is SMR.
Manufacturer’s claim SMR is fine for NAS service. Anyone who worked with SMR drives. . .have not really found them fit for any service, except maybe for Archive applications where you NEVER use the drive EVER.
Thank you very much for the recommendation, as I will be purchasing WDC Red Plus or Red Pro drives.
My real question is this. I would like to know if I can still access my PLEX Media Server to watch movies and/ot TV series while the upgrade is in progress, or if it needs to be offline until the upgrade is completed.
Don’t know.
Technically, the server should be able to run - - - -but the copy load and Plex load on the processors and other hardware are additive. Try it and see if Plex starts buffering. Especially if you are transcoding Plex files, and not watching at native resolution.
Personally, I would refrain from Plex while drive rebuilding is in process.
