Run the storage management software

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 43 views

Drives in JBOD Show Under Get-Disk but Not Get-PhysicalDisk: A Quest to Distinguish Hardware from Software

When it comes to managing storage in a Windows Server environment, understanding the nuances of disk management is crucial. In this article, we will delve into a specific issue where drives in a Just a Bunch Of Disks (JBOD) configuration show up under Get-Disk but not under Get-PhysicalDisk. This discrepancy can be attributed to either hardware or software factors, and our goal is to narrow down the possible causes.

To provide context, let's discuss the setup in question. A QNAP TL-D1600S is attached to a Windows Server 2025 server via the included QXP-1600eS, which is a Marvell SE14xx 12G SAS/SATA Controller. This combination has been working well for some time, but the issue at hand has recently arisen.

QNAP TL-D1600S and QXP-1600eS Configuration

The QNAP TL-D1600S is a 16-bay NAS enclosure that supports JBOD configurations. The QXP-1600eS is a 12G SAS/SATA controller that provides a high-speed interface between the NAS and the server. This setup allows for the aggregation of multiple disks into a single logical disk, which can be managed as a single entity.

In Windows Server, Get-Disk and Get-PhysicalDisk are two cmdlets that provide information about disks and physical disks, respectively. While both cmdlets can be used to gather information about disks, there are key differences between them.

Get-Disk returns a list of all disks, including virtual disks, that are present in the system. This cmdlet provides information about the disk's properties, such as its size, bus type, and partition style.
Get-PhysicalDisk returns a list of all physical disks that are present in the system. This cmdlet provides information about the physical disk's properties, such as its size, bus type, and serial number.

Drives in JBOD Show Under Get-Disk but Not Get-PhysicalDisk

The issue at hand is that the drives in the JBOD configuration show up under Get-Disk but not under Get-PhysicalDisk. This suggests that the drives are being recognized as virtual disks, rather than physical disks.

To determine whether the issue is due to hardware or software factors, we need to consider the following:

Hardware: The QXP-1600eS controller and the QNAP TL-D1600S enclosure are both high-quality components that have been working well for some time. However, it's possible that there is a hardware issue with the controller or the enclosure that is causing the drives to be recognized as virtual disks.
Software: The Windows Server 2025 operating system is a robust and reliable platform that has been widely adopted in enterprise environments. However, it's possible that there is a software issue with the operating system or the storage management software that is causing the drives to be recognized as virtual disks.

To troubleshoot this issue, we can follow these steps:

Check the event logs: The event logs can provide valuable information about any issues that may be occurring with the storage system. We can check the event logs to see if there are any errors or warnings related to the QXP-1600eS controller or the QNAP TL-D1600S enclosure.
Run the storage management software: The storage management software can provide information about the storage system and help us identify any issues. We can run the storage management software to see if it provides any information about the drives in the JBOD configuration.
Check the disk properties: We can check the properties of the disks in the JBOD configuration to see if they are being recognized as virtual disks or physical disks.
Check the controller settings: We can check the settings of the QXP-1600eS controller to see if there are any settings that may be causing the drives to be recognized as virtual disks.

In conclusion, the issue of drives in a JBOD configuration showing up under Get-Disk but not under Get-PhysicalDisk can be attributed to either hardware or software factors. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, we can narrow down the possible causes and determine whether the issue is due to hardware or software factors.
Frequently Asked Questions: Drives in JBOD Show Under Get-Disk but Not Get-PhysicalDisk

A: Get-Disk returns a list of all disks, including virtual disks, that are present in the system. This cmdlet provides information about the disk's properties, such as its size, bus type, and partition style. On the other hand, Get-PhysicalDisk returns a list of all physical disks that are present in the system. This cmdlet provides information about the physical disk's properties, such as its size, bus type, and serial number.

A: The drives in your JBOD configuration show up under Get-Disk but not under Get-PhysicalDisk because they are being recognized as virtual disks, rather than physical disks. This can be due to a variety of factors, including hardware or software issues.

A: The possible causes of this issue include:

Hardware: The QXP-1600eS controller and the QNAP TL-D1600S enclosure are both high-quality components that have been working well for some time. However, it's possible that there is a hardware issue with the controller or the enclosure that is causing the drives to be recognized as virtual disks.
Software: The Windows Server 2025 operating system is a robust and reliable platform that has been widely adopted in enterprise environments. However, it's possible that there is a software issue with the operating system or the storage management software that is causing the drives to be recognized as virtual disks.

A: To troubleshoot this issue, you can follow these steps:

Check the event logs: The event logs can provide valuable information about any issues that may be occurring with the storage system. You can check the event logs to see if there are any errors or warnings related to the QXP-1600eS controller or the QNAP TL-D1600S enclosure.
Run the storage management software: The storage management software can provide information about the storage system and help you identify any issues. You can run the storage management software to see if it provides any information about the drives in the JBOD configuration.
Check the disk properties: You can check the properties of the disks in the JBOD configuration to see if they are being recognized as virtual disks or physical disks.
Check the controller settings: You can check the settings of the QXP-1600eS controller to see if there are any settings that may be causing the drives to be recognized as virtual disks.

A: The consequences of this issue can include:

Data loss: If the drives in your JBOD configuration are not being recognized as physical disks, you may be at risk of data loss in the event of a hardware failure.
Performance issues: If the drives in your JBOD configuration are not being recognized as physical disks, you may experience performance issues with your storage system.
Increased risk of errors: If the drives in your JBOD configuration are not being recognized as physical disks, you may be at increased risk of errors and other issues with your storage system.

A: To prevent this issue in the future, you can take the following steps:

Regularly check the event logs: Regularly checking the event logs can help you identify any issues with your storage system before they become major problems.
Run the storage management software regularly: Running the storage management software regularly can help you identify any issues with your storage system and prevent data loss and other problems.
Check the disk properties regularly: Regularly checking the properties of the disks in your JBOD configuration can help you identify any issues with the drives and prevent data loss and other problems.
Check the controller settings regularly: Regularly checking the settings of the QXP-1600eS controller can help you identify any issues with the controller and prevent data loss and other problems.