Sankofa/docs/ceph/FORMAT_SSDS_FOR_PROXMOX.md

Format 250GB SSDs and Check Proxmox Recognition

Date: 2025-12-13
Purpose: Format the 6x 250GB SSDs and verify Proxmox can see them

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Quick Start

On R630-01:

# Copy script
scp scripts/format-ssds-and-check-proxmox.sh root@192.168.11.11:/tmp/

# SSH and run
ssh root@192.168.11.11
bash /tmp/format-ssds-and-check-proxmox.sh

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What the Script Does

1. Checks current drive status - Shows what's on each drive
2. Formats drives - Creates GPT partition table on each
3. Creates partitions - Single partition on each drive (unformatted)
4. Checks block devices - Shows what the system sees
5. Checks Proxmox storage - Shows Proxmox's view
6. Provides summary - What to check next

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Manual Method

If you prefer to do it manually:

# For each drive (sdc, sdd, sde, sdf, sdg, sdh)
for drive in sdc sdd sde sdf sdg sdh; do
    # Unmount any partitions
    umount /dev/${drive}* 2>/dev/null || true
    
    # Create GPT partition table
    parted -s /dev/$drive mklabel gpt
    
    # Create single partition
    parted -s /dev/$drive mkpart primary 0% 100%
    
    # Re-read partition table
    partprobe /dev/$drive
done

# Check results
lsblk
pvesm status

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Check in Proxmox Web UI

1. Login: https://192.168.11.11:8006
2. Navigate: Datacenter > Storage
3. Click: "Add" button
4. Check: Available disks should be listed

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Expected Results

After Formatting

Each drive should show:

• GPT partition table
• One partition (unformatted)
• Visible to lsblk
• Potentially visible to Proxmox storage manager

What Proxmox Should See

• 6x drives around 250GB
• Available for storage creation
• Can be used for:
  • Directory storage
  • LVM storage
  • Ceph OSD (after further setup)

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Next Steps After Formatting

Once Proxmox recognizes the drives:

1. Option 1: Use for Ceph OSDs

   • Create OSDs on formatted drives
   • Add to Ceph cluster

2. Option 2: Use as Proxmox Storage

   • Add as Directory storage
   • Add as LVM storage
   • Use for VM disks

3. Option 3: Leave for Later

   • Drives are ready
   • Can be configured when needed

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Verification Commands

# Check block devices
lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,MOUNTPOINT,FSTYPE

# Check Proxmox storage
pvesm status

# Check partitions
fdisk -l | grep -E "^Disk /dev/sd[c-h]"

# Check if Proxmox can see them
pvesm scan local

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Summary

Current State

• 6x 250GB SSDs wiped
• Need to format and check Proxmox recognition

Action

• Format drives with GPT partition tables
• Check if Proxmox recognizes them

Expected Result

• Drives formatted and visible
• Proxmox can see them
• Ready for storage configuration

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Last Updated: 2025-12-13