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voipguy

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How to best patition a RAID 1 Mirror HDD array on a SBS 2008 server

I have a SBS 2008 server with two 1 TB HDD arranged in a RAID 1 configuration.  I have created an initial 200GB partition during the initial OS installation.  I have installed the OS and completed ICW and downloaded all updates from Microsoft.

What would be the best practice for partitioning and using the remainder of the HDD space on this server.
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voipguy

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oh, the RAID 1 array consists of two 1 TB HDD, so I have 800GB or so remaining that is not in use.
Hello voipguy,

Your best partition scheme depends on what will you be using the server for. Since your server only has 2 drives you will not get any performance benefit from partitioning your drive, what you can get is your data more organized and segregated in case you need to expand, reinstall or format any of your partitions. Can you be more specific please?

Thank you!
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Not sure there is a best practice per se - I prefer to chop it up using partitions as hard limits for types of storage - some for Exchange, some for user data, some for group data, and some for whatever else may be needed.  How much depends on your expected usage.
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jholguin79

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I want to keep the os, exchange and user data separate.  I guess my real question was about the ability to increase performance first and then organization for DR purposes (ease of repair) second.  It sounds like I sould break the reamining storage into 200 GB chunks and save the rest for later.  I'm assuming I just map user shares to the specific user data partition and then control access to the shares via AD.

Is there any best practice or recommended readin on this process?

I want to get it right the first time.

We only have 12 users.
You aren't going to do much with disk performance only having one RAID 1 - you're using the same spindles for EVERYTHING.
Also, for best performance try to keep the disk in Basic type. Avoid using Dynamic disks.

This is a good reading on disk allocation: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc527518(WS.10).aspx
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Thank you.