Expansion
Plan drive replacement before buying larger disks
Before buying a single larger drive, model the target layout and verify the platform’s rules for when extra capacity becomes usable.
Decision 01
Model the end state
Write down every current drive size, the proposed replacements, the intended pool layout, and the free bays. Do not infer the result from one replacement alone.
Decision 02
Verify platform rules
Synology, ZFS-based systems, and Unraid have different expansion behavior. Follow the official documentation for the exact release and platform.
Decision 03
Protect before migration
Confirm independent recovery copies and drive health before a replacement sequence. Expansion is a change operation, not just a shopping task.