Adding new drives to your NAS (Network Attached Storage) can be exciting—more storage, more redundancy, or maybe better performance. But before you rush to insert those new drives, there are several critical steps you should take to ensure a smooth, safe, and error-free upgrade or expansion.
Whether you're adding drives to an existing RAID array, creating a new volume, or replacing old drives, preparation is key. Here's what to do before inserting your new drives into a NAS.
1. Confirm Drive Compatibility
Not all drives are made equal, and not all are suitable for NAS environments.
Check your NAS manufacturer's compatibility list (often found on their website).
Make sure the drive model is approved for your NAS, especially if you're using RAID configurations.
Prefer NAS-rated drives like WD Red, Seagate Iron Wolf, or Toshiba N300. These are built for 24/7 operation, vibration resistance, and longer lifespan.
Bonus Tip: Avoid using regular desktop drives—they may work initially but aren’t designed for NAS-level workloads.
2. Check the Drive Condition
Brand new drives usually arrive in good shape, but it's smart to test them before trusting your data to them.
Use tools like Crystal Disk Info (Windows), SMART monitoring, or Drive Dx (Mac) to check for:
Reallocated sectors
Power-on hours (if it's a refurbished drive)
Read/write errors
You can also run extended self-tests via SMART to catch any early signs of failure.
3. Backup Your Existing NAS Data
This step is critical if you’re adding drives to an existing NAS or RAID configuration.
Even though RAID provides redundancy, it's not a substitute for backups.
Use an external USB drive, cloud backup, or another NAS to copy important data before making changes.
If something goes wrong—misconfiguration, rebuild failure, or power loss—you’ll be glad you backed up.
4. Plan Your RAID Setup
Decide ahead of time what kind of RAID or volume structure you want:
RAID 1 (mirroring): Best for redundancy, but uses half the total space.
RAID 5 (striping with parity): Good balance of performance and fault tolerance.
RAID 6 or RAID 10: Better for larger NAS systems or mission-critical use.
Keep in mind:
RAID expansion can take a long time (especially with large drives).
Some NAS systems allow online RAID migration; others require starting from scratch.
Know your NAS capabilities before inserting drives.
5. Label and Document the Drives
If you’re installing multiple drives (especially over time), labeling helps with troubleshooting later.
Use simple labels like “Drive 1”, “Drive 2”, etc.
Record serial numbers and slot positions.
This helps in case of RAID failure or if you need to contact support.
6. Update NAS Firmware
Before inserting the new drives, log in to your NAS and update the firmware.
Updated firmware often improves drive compatibility, RAID handling, and general stability.
Do this while your current system is stable, before any major changes.
7. Power Down Before Inserting (Unless Hot-Swappable)
If your NAS supports hot-swapping, you can insert drives while the unit is running. Otherwise:
Power off your NAS completely.
Insert the drives securely.
Boot up and check that the NAS detects them correctly.
Always refer to your NAS manual to confirm whether hot-swapping is supported.
8. Initialize and Format the Drives
Once inserted, go to your NAS admin panel:
Initialize the drives
Choose the appropriate file system (e.g., ext4, Btrfs, ZFS, depending on your NAS)
Configure your volume or RAID group
Be aware: Initial setup or RAID rebuilds can take hours or days, depending on drive size and RAID type.
Final Thoughts
Adding new drives to your NAS can be a simple process—but taking these steps beforehand protects your data, prevents errors, and ensures the drives integrate smoothly.
Don’t skip the prep work. Test the drives, back up your data, and plan your setup before making physical changes. Your NAS—and your future self—will thank you.