Dell PowerEdge w PERC H730P - No 'reconfigure' option for Virtual Disk

Hi,

When managing a Dell PowerEdge server with a PERC H730P controller, the inability to see the 'reconfigure' option for a virtual disk could stem from several factors. Here are some steps and considerations to help you expand your virtual disk remotely:

1. Check Disk Status and Virtual Disk Configuration
Ensure that the existing virtual disk and any drives you want to utilize are healthy and properly configured.
Verify if the disk you’re trying to add is unconfigured or unallocated and meets all requirements (e.g., same size, type, and interface) to be part of the array.
2. OpenManage Server Administrator (OMSA)
Confirm you are using the latest version of OMSA. Older versions might have bugs or limitations that newer versions have resolved.
Look for any existing options to modify the virtual disk configuration. Sometimes, the UI might not show the option clearly, but you may be able to perform operations in different sections (like 'Storage').
3. System Setup / BIOS Configuration
If there is no option to expand the virtual disk in OMSA, accessing the system setup during boot might be beneficial.
Reboot the server and enter the System Setup (F2) or the PERC BIOS utility (usually Ctrl+R during boot).
In the PERC BIOS, look for options related to virtual disks and check if the option to reconfigure or expand the virtual disk appears there.
4. Check Array Configuration
Review your current array configuration to ensure it allows expansion. If the virtual disk is part of a RAID group, ensure that there are additional disks in the same group that can be utilized for expansion.
5. Hot Spare Consideration
If the only option available is to set the disk as a Hot Spare, it’s possible that the existing RAID configuration does not allow for straightforward expansion.
Make sure that disk reallocations, shrinkage, or other safety features are not preventing you from expanding the existing virtual disk.
6. Firmware Updates
Check if the PERC H730P firmware needs an update. A newer firmware version can sometimes unlock additional functionalities or resolve existing issues with the storage controller.

@Dell-Martin S​ With some additional research I think what it comes down to is the Virtual Disk configuration as it was originally setup by Dell. It was a 5x Disk RAID 5 with 1 drive as the Hot Spare and they configured the Boot partition and the data partition on different VDs on the same array. If I read things correctly, I can't expand it (I tried through iDRAC as well) because there are 2 VDs on a single array. That doesn't make sense from a technical perspective (it should really act like a hardware Hypervisor for the storage array) so I guess I'd have to setup another array, create a VD and...clone the current boot partition to that VD and then delete VD1 so I can expand VD2 (**sweat starts to bead**).

The PERC H730P I believe has 2 interfaces with 1 of them going to the drive backplane leaving the other for another connection. Perhaps an Internal Mini SAS to SATA Cable - SFF-8643 to 4X SATA to a pair of 512GB SSDs in a RAID1? Clone and change the boot order? Sounds like something outside of my technical ability to do and make sure I don't blow something up! Other suggestions?