Disk Devices provide the underlying storage for SoftNAS and Storage Pools. Disk devices are attached to SoftNAS at the virtualization platform layer, often as virtual hard disks (e.g., VMDK in VMware, EBS volumes in EC2).

When a new disk device is attached, it usually starts out in a raw, unpartitioned state. Before it can be used, the disk device must be partitioned. The Disk Devices panel provides a list of disk devices, their status and the ability to manage the devices.

Partition All

The Partition All button finds all devices without a partition and creates a partition on each device. Devices which are in use or already contain a partition are ignored. 

Create Partition

The Create Partition button adds a partition to a device that does not contain a partition. First, select a device in the device list grid by choosing a row, then press the Create Partition button.

Remove Partition

To remove a partition, select a device that is not in use and then press the Remove Partition button. Devices which are marked as "Used in pool" are not eligible for partition removal.

Unmount

Unmount the disk device. 

Refresh

Press the Refresh button to rescan the available devices and display the currently available devices.

Add device

Certain types of devices can be added at run-time. Click Add Device and choose the type of device to add, then follow the on-screen instructions for adding the device.

Delete Device

Certain types of dynamic devices can be removed at run-time. To delete a dynamic device that is no longer in use within a pool, select the device in the list to choose its grid row, then press the Delete Device button and confirm deletion of the device.

Note: Many devices, once deleted, may not be recoverable.

Import Device

It is possible to import an existing disk. To import an existing disk, click Import, and follow the prompts.

Device

List of devices.

Total size

The total amount of data storage available on the raw device, before partitioning and addition to a storage pool.

Make and model

The make (vendor) and model of the device, with the type of device shown in parenthesis.

Device Usage

How the device is currently used, or what it needs to become useful. The device can be in one of several states:

• Needs partitioning
• Available to assign to a storage pool
• Used in a pool, along with the name of the pool in which it is used

Extra Disk Info

Some devices have additional information available. For example, S3 Cloud Disk devices are associated with an S3 bucket, which is displayed.