Imaging an identical drive in Windows XP Professional as a backup solution.
Was wondering if anyone has any input, or experience having two identical drives in a system, and using the second drive to image/mirror the first drive. This would be a backup solution in the case of drive failure. I know it doesn't cover in the case of OS corruption.
I would be using Norton Ghost, or something like that at night to image the primary drive.
In the case of the primary drive failure, I'm thinking all would need to be done is open the box, unplug the bad drive, and use the second, backup drive, and the primary drive.
Is there some flaw to this that I'm missing? ie: Windows not being happy with drive letters changing, etc.
Thanks!
I would be using Norton Ghost, or something like that at night to image the primary drive.
In the case of the primary drive failure, I'm thinking all would need to be done is open the box, unplug the bad drive, and use the second, backup drive, and the primary drive.
Is there some flaw to this that I'm missing? ie: Windows not being happy with drive letters changing, etc.
Thanks!
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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I think your best move would be to get a RAID controller card and configure a RAID 1 array. This would give you the redundancy you are looking for.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=15-104-214&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=15-104-214&depa=0
ASKER
I'm trying to stay away from RAID. (Client wants to keep the cost, and "complexity" down.) I'm thinking the Mirrored Volume is the best, and most straight forward approach.
ASKER
In terms of recovering from a disk failure, and keeping in mind ease of recovery for my computer unsavy client, what's the best route to go: Ghosting the drive, with imaging SW, or Mirroring the drive using XP?
About the RAID option: am I right in thinking that, with RAID the burden of the work, ie: mirroring, it put on the controler, and in Mirroring, the burden is on the OS?
Thanks for y'alls time!!!!!
About the RAID option: am I right in thinking that, with RAID the burden of the work, ie: mirroring, it put on the controler, and in Mirroring, the burden is on the OS?
Thanks for y'alls time!!!!!
mirroing is easier to recover :)
with regards to your second question, if your using a RAID controller it takes the added processor hit on both scenarios
with regards to your second question, if your using a RAID controller it takes the added processor hit on both scenarios
ASKER
...and you can't use RAID with XP Pro can you?
in software yes http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314343 but it dont perform too good :(
and if you have a hardware controller, yes also
Pete
and if you have a hardware controller, yes also
Pete
ASKER
And does Microsoft even support Dynamic Disks. Someone told me they don't.
Yes of corse they do :) dynamic disks are a Microsoft invention :)
If you have two identical drives you already have the most expensive part of a RAID solution done. All you need is a card. It is very easy to set up.
<I'm thinking the Mirrored Volume is the best>
hmm, RAID 1 perhaps
<I'm thinking the Mirrored Volume is the best>
hmm, RAID 1 perhaps
ASKER
I asked the question about Dynamic Disks, and Microsoft supporting them because they're very hesitant when it comes to talking about them, or bringing them up as a solution. (At least this has been my experience.)
Okay, I'm going to price RAID controllers.
Again, thanks for everyone's input!
Okay, I'm going to price RAID controllers.
Again, thanks for everyone's input!
You can convert to dynamic disc in XP but I don't think you can create a software RAID in XP without a 3rd party software. Software RAID is only supported in 2000 server or 2003 server. Your best solution would be a Hardware RAID controller.
:)
ASKER
Okay -- I'm not going RAID, I'm going with imaging the drive @ night.
I'm going to look at the answers and decide how to award the points.
Thanks for everyone's input!!
I'm going to look at the answers and decide how to award the points.
Thanks for everyone's input!!
ThanQ
ASKER
One more thing. Imaging software: do you recommend Norton or Symantec? And does either one does the imaging/cloning without user intervention? ie: schedule backup at night.
Norton is Symantec :)
As for schedlued backups you would need the latest version of ghost to do this :)
As for schedlued backups you would need the latest version of ghost to do this :)
ASKER
Perfect. Not a problem. But WHO'S Ghost?? Norton, or Symantec???
ghost was Norton till Norton changed its name to Symantec :)
ASKER
Oh DUH!! I'm sorry, I missed the first line of two msgs. ago!!!
So, Norton/Symantec are the only company that makes ghosting/imaging sw?
Again, thank you so much for you time
So, Norton/Symantec are the only company that makes ghosting/imaging sw?
Again, thank you so much for you time
>>So, Norton/Symantec are the only company that makes ghosting/imaging sw?
No Powerquest (which confusingly is now also Symantec LOL) Make Drive image also
theres also an app called DiskCLone - though Ive not seen it for a while
but ghost is the best Ive used :)
No Powerquest (which confusingly is now also Symantec LOL) Make Drive image also
theres also an app called DiskCLone - though Ive not seen it for a while
but ghost is the best Ive used :)
ASKER
Thanks!!! Going to buy a copy, and try it out...
And won't bother you anymore. ;)
Craig
And won't bother you anymore. ;)
Craig
no probs
Pete
Pete
XP
HOW TO: Create a Mirrored Volume in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307880