06-21-2024, 09:19 AM
If you choose to create a RAID array with mixed-sized drives, such as 1x 12TB and 2x 8TB drives, the RAID configuration will indeed utilize the smallest drive size for parity (RAID 5 in this case, using 8TB drives). However, any excess capacity on the larger drives that exceeds the smallest drive size cannot be utilized within the RAID array itself.
To maximize the use of the 12TB drive's full capacity, you would need to consider setting it up separately, outside of the RAID array. This can be done in JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks) or Basic mode, which would provide you with the full 12TB of usable space but without the data protection benefits of RAID.
To maximize the use of the 12TB drive's full capacity, you would need to consider setting it up separately, outside of the RAID array. This can be done in JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks) or Basic mode, which would provide you with the full 12TB of usable space but without the data protection benefits of RAID.