RAID 5 - replace discs & expand size?

Yes you can do this. Of course have a backup in case anything goes wrong during this process, but you can do this, yes.

Cool thanks. Follow up question:

I've currently got a single 6TB volume on the array (i.e. 100% of each 2TB disc is used for the 1 volume). I'm looking at replacing the discs with 5TB ones.

If I replace each disc sequentially as I described, then after everything's fully rebuilt, will that volume now be using only the first 40% of each disc in the array (for maximum speed, as per https://srforums.wpengine.com/pages/features/raid_levels.html#gofaster)?

yes, but the difference with RAID 5 is modest until you fill up the volume, so just use the resize volume command to expand it.

Yes you can do this. Of course have a backup in case anything goes wrong during this process, but you can do this, yes.

Hi, I am using 4 X 3T, I would like to expand to 4 X 6T do I have to change my enclosure? Softraid can support me in this update? I am using the Thunderbay 4 12 T. Thanks,

Syl

There is no approaching limitation on drive size in the Thunderbay. So you can use any available disks inside it.

You can upgrade the disks to 6TB easily, or 10TB drives for example.

With the Thunderbay housing, what is the best housekeeping etiquitte for updating the disk sizes - leave the array powered up and replace one disk at a time allowing the rebuild to complete each time or power down the array and replace the disk with the same sequence ? With some raid controllers it seems to be recommended to take a disk offline before swapping out but SoftRaid doesn't appear to use that command ?

Stay backed up.
I recommend maintenance with Disk Warrior on your volume.
its best to replace disks with ones you have certified.

Now we have that out of the way, here is all you need to do:
"remove disk"
replace with new one
"Initialize disk"
"Add disk"
let it rebuild.

lather, rinse, repeat.

When all 4 are replaced, then "resize volume".

Stay backed up.
I recommend maintenance with Disk Warrior on your volume.
its best to replace disks with ones you have certified.

Now we have that out of the way, here is all you need to do:
"remove disk"
replace with new one
"Initialize disk"
"Add disk"
let it rebuild.

lather, rinse, repeat.

When all 4 are replaced, then "resize volume".

Is there any advantage to simply creating a new volume with new drives instead of this multi-step process? The process you mention seems more seamless but would a clean volume reduce fragmentation? Or is it even enough to make a performance difference?

Most users just delete the volume and create a new one with larger drives, yes. That is what I would recommend, as it is cleaner and does eliminate fragmentation (relatively minor issue though)

But we offer this option and quite a few users find it useful.

Stay backed up.
I recommend maintenance with Disk Warrior on your volume.
its best to replace disks with ones you have certified.

Now we have that out of the way, here is all you need to do:
"remove disk"
replace with new one
"Initialize disk"
"Add disk"
let it rebuild.

lather, rinse, repeat.

When all 4 are replaced, then "resize volume".

Hi, I did this method (replacing 3TB disks with 6TB in a 4-drive RAID 5 array) and it did resize the volume to 18TB, however, the "available space" on the drive didn't change at all. I must be missing something...

Try using resize one more time. If it does not reset the finder size, send a tech support file to support at SoftRAID and we may need to send you a tool to fix the issue.