Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of jdff
jdff

asked on

RAID 5 file structure question.

I have a question about RAID 5 functionality. Lest suppose that I have a system running 3 hard drives on a RAID 5. Now lets suppose that I want look at the file structure of 1 particular disk only, so I will shutoff the system and take 1 drive out of the RAID system and now I'm going to connect that disk on a different computer with a SAS controller. am'i going to see the hard drive content? what portion of the RAID I'm going to see? All I need is to extract some data from the disk, I don't expect to boot from the disk, I just want to have access to the file structure.
For those who has more experience with RAID 5, please help.

Thanks
jdff
Avatar of Gary Case
Gary Case
Flag of United States of America image
There is no "file structure" on a single disk.   The RAID controller spans the logical "disk" across the three drives.   But the file structure is created when you partition and format that "disk" ==>  so the structure information is also spread across the drives.   From Windows' (or whatever OS you're using) perspective, the RAID array is just a disk.   The fact that the disk actually consists of several physical drives isn't even "known" to the OS.
Avatar of jdff
jdff

ASKER

So in another words, if I take that disk just like I said and connect to a controller by it self, I wont be able to see anything? is that right?

Thanks
jdff
Avatar of Lee W, MVP
Lee W, MVP
Flag of United States of America image
Yes, that's correct.
Avatar of Gary Case
Gary Case
Flag of United States of America image
Sorry for the delayed reply -- went out for the evening -- but as leew confirmed, that's correct.
Avatar of Member_2_231077
Member_2_231077
If your file is smaller than the stripe size the whole file may be held on a single disk but you would have to search for it with a low level tool. Stripe sizes vary but 128k isn't uncommon and that's quite big for an email for example.
Avatar of jdff
jdff

ASKER

andyalder, do you have an idea of what low level tool can I use for instance?

Thanks
jdff
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Member_2_231077
Member_2_231077
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
SOLUTION
Avatar of Gary Case
Gary Case
Flag of United States of America image
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial