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

---

## Quick Start

On R630-01:

```bash
# 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
```

---

## 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

---

## Manual Method

If you prefer to do it manually:

```bash
# 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
```

---

## 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

---

## 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)

---

## 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

---

## Verification Commands

```bash
# 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
```

---

## 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

---

**Last Updated**: 2025-12-13