You installed a second hardware RAID-5 array to mirror an existing hardware RAID-5 array for complete data redundancy. In Disk Management, right-clicking free space on the new array shows no option to create a new or mirrored volume. What should you do first so that Windows 2000 can create a mirror?

Introduction / Context:
Windows 2000 supports software mirroring (RAID 1) only on dynamic disks. Even when underlying storage is hardware RAID, Windows still sees logical disks that must be dynamic if you want to create OS-level mirror sets across them. If the disks are basic, the mirror option will not appear in Disk Management.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Two hardware RAID-5 logical disks are presented to Windows.
• Goal: create a mirror of one array to the other at the Windows level.
• Current state: right-click shows no 'New Volume'/'Add Mirror' because disks are basic.

Concept / Approach:

Convert both logical disks from Basic to Dynamic using Disk Management. After conversion, you can add a mirror to an existing simple volume or create new mirrored volumes. Remember that mirroring a RAID-5 with another RAID-5 duplicates data at a higher level; ensure this is operationally justified given capacity and rebuild implications.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Post-conversion, the 'Add Mirror' option becomes available for simple volumes, confirming dynamic disk status is required.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Creating/formatting partitions on Basic disks does not enable mirroring.

Extended vs. primary partition choice is irrelevant without dynamic disks.

None: The necessary prerequisite is to convert to dynamic.

Common Pitfalls:

Overlooking that hardware RAID does not replace Windows' requirement for dynamic disks when using software mirroring; forgetting to back up before disk conversions.

Final Answer:

Convert both arrays to dynamic disks