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setting up a raid 5 system

Hello i am thinking of setting up a raid 5 system using windows server.

I would have a HD for OS. 4 250G sata disks for raid 5.

my question is, if my OS HD fails, what happens to my Raid 5? If i do a reinstallation of the windows OS, will it be able to recognised the raid?

My concern is more data retention than performance since is a home storage network.

What other options are available for a home base raid 5? Thanks

aciddrops

ASKER

In case i am not too clear. I am using windows software raid not hardware raid.

SOLUTION

Lee W, MVP

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krakken

leew is absolutely on the money, just make sure you import them all at once

Mike Montgomery

Whay not set up the OS on a RAID1 array? THat way you get fault tolerance.

Mike

SOLUTION

jdietrich

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ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Renato Montenegro Rustici

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SOLUTION

Rant32

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PaperTiger

To answer your question, you need to tell us how you plan to do your backup.

I typically backup using Ghost. In that case, the software RAID is a big pain as to do software RAID, Windows converts your disks to "dynamic disks".

Another problem is future expansion. PartitionMagic/VolumeManager does not work with dynamic disks.

My experience with this is that you need to avoid doing this at all cost - especially you are talking about a small cost.

SOLUTION

juanfermin

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aciddrops

ASKER

thank you everyone for your comments.

aciddrops

ASKER

I am sorry i did not reply earlier.

i learned a lot from your comments.

i would likely to be doing

disk 1 - WD raptor OS
disk 2 -5 raid 5.
suggested by rmrustice.