What software is best to use with raid 1 on two drives?
I have a Dell 5810 workstation with Win 10. Drive c: = 1tb ssd. Drive d: = 1tb ssd. I have slots for two mechanical drives. One has failed and instead of replacing it with one 6 tb drive I was wondering if I purchased two 4tb WD black drives and used them in a raid 1 configuration that it would be my best solution. I do not need speed on the two mechanical drives. They would essentially be shown as a single 4tb drive, each with the same exact data for safety. I spoke to Dell and they said it is definitely possible. I do not want to affect my c or d drives at all. So, my question is: What software is super simple to use in order to implement raid 1 on the two new identical drives?
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Mal Osborne
More detailed information here: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-set-mirrored-volume-file-redundancy-windows-10
ASKER
I had viewed a youtube article detailing what you are suggesting, but the author seemed to strongly imply that being a software solution that it was not nearly as reliable as having a raid card. Does this make sense to you? I will read your link now.
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Windows Software RAID is just fine. Most cheap "hardware" RAID is really just software RAID at its core. Unless you're planning on buying a server or workstation class RAID controller, I'd just setup Windows RAID 1.
Also, keep in mind, RAID is REDUNDANCY not backup. It protects against disk failure; it does NOT protect against accidental deletion, malware, or most other types of issues. And depending on the data you're storing, a true backup MAY be a better, more appropriate solution (it may not, but you haven't shared WHY you want to do this).
Also, keep in mind, RAID is REDUNDANCY not backup. It protects against disk failure; it does NOT protect against accidental deletion, malware, or most other types of issues. And depending on the data you're storing, a true backup MAY be a better, more appropriate solution (it may not, but you haven't shared WHY you want to do this).
Expensive hardware RAID is also just software RAID at the core; it's just that it has its own processor to run on.
Expensive hardware RAID is also just software RAID at the core; it's just that it has its own processor to run on.Being philosophical? I'll clarify - Most hardware RAID is software RAID that won't work properly without the RAID controller drivers installed and/or uses the computer's CPU which is shared with the other computers tasks and could result in worse performance than a true "Hardware" RAID.
Better?
ASKER
Dear Experts, the data that I deal with that is irreplaceable is under one gig. So having an abundance of true backups at different locations is quite easy and not expensive at all. All I need to do is to create incremental backups of just as few folders and back them up the thumbdrives and/or dvd media. The intended purpose for the two mechanical drives in raid 1 is simply for peace of mind that the "not too important" data is being stored on two drives of the highest quality I can find and truly backed up when I feel the need. I have far more storage available than I actually need which was planned that way when I purchased this Dell workstation. Just in case I needed the storage, it would be available. I think with all the knowledge and advice you Experts have imparted I probably will go with the Windows 10 built in RAID and see how it feels in actual use.
Lee W, MVP - It appears that I might have accidentally not acknowledged your comments. It was not intentional. It appears that sometimes a user (me) can look at what appears to be current comments but without refreshing I may have, and probably did not see your assistance. I apologize for that and DO thank you for your kind Expert advice.
Further important note: Thank you to the expert that suggested that I MIGHT have a RAID controller built onto my motherboard. YES! Dell just told me that I have an Intel chip on the MB that is described as:
"INTEL AHCI CHIPSET SATA CONTROLLER - SW RAID 0/1/5/10". I am guessing that all experts would suggest that I try to utilize this chipset for my goal. Am I correct? If experts agree that this should be an additional question please say so and I will post an additional question.
Lee W, MVP - It appears that I might have accidentally not acknowledged your comments. It was not intentional. It appears that sometimes a user (me) can look at what appears to be current comments but without refreshing I may have, and probably did not see your assistance. I apologize for that and DO thank you for your kind Expert advice.
Further important note: Thank you to the expert that suggested that I MIGHT have a RAID controller built onto my motherboard. YES! Dell just told me that I have an Intel chip on the MB that is described as:
"INTEL AHCI CHIPSET SATA CONTROLLER - SW RAID 0/1/5/10". I am guessing that all experts would suggest that I try to utilize this chipset for my goal. Am I correct? If experts agree that this should be an additional question please say so and I will post an additional question.