What would be the best way to set up RAID on my system
I have a optiplex GX620 running server 2003 with two HD's installed. I want to add two more hard drives and configure RAID 1. it does not have software raid installed. I have looked at some promise cards but they all say raid 5 not 1. If a card can do 5 can it automatically do 1 also? What is the best way to do this?
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brittonv
OH and yeah if it says raid 5 it does 1 as rindi said. If you want to see the complete specs and good user reviews, I recommend pluging the model number in to newegg.com and start your research there.
ASKER
Thanks for the fast response times.I should have stated the following in the original post: This server is a backup for sensitive data. It has a C: which is for os and some backup applications that all run locally. The D: is for backing up two other servers data.
Thanks for that information, but it doesn't change anything.
I still think you'll be find with raid 5. In addition to the fact that you can't have a 4 drive RAID 1 configuration.
I still think you'll be find with raid 5. In addition to the fact that you can't have a 4 drive RAID 1 configuration.
He can have 2 x raid 1. Or if speed is of interest and the raid controller supports it, raid 10. As raid 1 is a lot simpler to setup and manage than raid 5, and since today's HD's are large and cheap enough I'd use raid 1 in most cases.
ASKER
Speed is not really a concern. Alls the server does it copies information in real time from one server and scheduled time from a diffrent one. Can I set up the 2 x raid one with just one card or would I have to get two?
ASKER
I want swapable disks in case one goes down thats why I lean towards raid 1
It's your raid controller that would have to support 2 raid 1 arrays. Usually if you can connect 4 HD's to one controller, it supports that.
The ability to swap disks has nothing to do with the Raid you use. I presume you are talking about hot swapping, if so that is a function of the raid card you are using, not the raid you are using. With any RAID you have to swap the failed disk with a good disk.
If you are talking about having it done automatially then you are talking about having a Hot Spare. So that you have a disk (or disks) just sitting there. If one of your production disks fails the hard will automatically engage one of these hot spares recreate the data. Again this is a function of the Raid Card, not the RAID itself. You can have a hot spare with any RAID Chosen (Raid 1,5,10,01...)
Most likely you can set up 2 raid 1's with a single card. But again that depends on the particular card you are using.
If you are talking about having it done automatially then you are talking about having a Hot Spare. So that you have a disk (or disks) just sitting there. If one of your production disks fails the hard will automatically engage one of these hot spares recreate the data. Again this is a function of the Raid Card, not the RAID itself. You can have a hot spare with any RAID Chosen (Raid 1,5,10,01...)
Most likely you can set up 2 raid 1's with a single card. But again that depends on the particular card you are using.
ASKER
No Im not talking about hot swaping. More like if drive D fails I can turn off the server and swap the HD's reboot and its back running. I realize that if drive D fails the raided D: drive wont copy when its broke but that doesnt really matter to me I can the copy the missed data back manually
ASKER
Could you look at this data sheet. I think this will do the job whether I do two raid 1's, raid 5 or 10.
Im using 250g HDs
http://www.promise.com/marketing/datasheet/file/FT_TX4310_DS_032206_web.pdf
Im using 250g HDs
http://www.promise.com/marketing/datasheet/file/FT_TX4310_DS_032206_web.pdf
Should be OK for your needs
ASKER
Thanks guys