Raid Question
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I'm looking to build a Raid 5 array. My first question is can an array grow, ie can I start with a couple drives and expand. My second question is whats a minimum starting size (ie 2, 3 disks). And finally any recommendations on an inexpensive (ie cheap) PCI (the regular kind not the "express" kind :D ) and I would prefer SATA, but PATA would work too (since all the drives will be new anyway) Matt Newman
Even the very best tools in the hands of an idiot will produce something of little or no value. - Chris Meech on Idiots
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I'm looking to build a Raid 5 array. My first question is can an array grow, ie can I start with a couple drives and expand. My second question is whats a minimum starting size (ie 2, 3 disks). And finally any recommendations on an inexpensive (ie cheap) PCI (the regular kind not the "express" kind :D ) and I would prefer SATA, but PATA would work too (since all the drives will be new anyway) Matt Newman
Even the very best tools in the hands of an idiot will produce something of little or no value. - Chris Meech on Idiots
I don't know much about raid, but this might help: http://www.acnc.com/04_01_00.html[^]
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I'm looking to build a Raid 5 array. My first question is can an array grow, ie can I start with a couple drives and expand. My second question is whats a minimum starting size (ie 2, 3 disks). And finally any recommendations on an inexpensive (ie cheap) PCI (the regular kind not the "express" kind :D ) and I would prefer SATA, but PATA would work too (since all the drives will be new anyway) Matt Newman
Even the very best tools in the hands of an idiot will produce something of little or no value. - Chris Meech on Idiots
Matt Newman wrote: I would prefer SATA, but PATA would work too If you're going to have a number of disks, I'd recommend using SATA because the disks use less power (and therefore generate less heat), and the (much) smaller cables restrict airflow a lot less.
Ryan
"Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"
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I'm looking to build a Raid 5 array. My first question is can an array grow, ie can I start with a couple drives and expand. My second question is whats a minimum starting size (ie 2, 3 disks). And finally any recommendations on an inexpensive (ie cheap) PCI (the regular kind not the "express" kind :D ) and I would prefer SATA, but PATA would work too (since all the drives will be new anyway) Matt Newman
Even the very best tools in the hands of an idiot will produce something of little or no value. - Chris Meech on Idiots
Raid 5 requires at least 3 disks otherwise go for Raid 1 (mirroring).
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I'm looking to build a Raid 5 array. My first question is can an array grow, ie can I start with a couple drives and expand. My second question is whats a minimum starting size (ie 2, 3 disks). And finally any recommendations on an inexpensive (ie cheap) PCI (the regular kind not the "express" kind :D ) and I would prefer SATA, but PATA would work too (since all the drives will be new anyway) Matt Newman
Even the very best tools in the hands of an idiot will produce something of little or no value. - Chris Meech on Idiots
Matt Newman wrote: My first question is can an array grow, ie can I start with a couple drives and expand. depends on the software in whatever controller card you pick Matt Newman wrote: My second question is whats a minimum starting size (ie 2, 3 disks). minimum for raid-5 is 3 drives Matt Newman wrote: And finally any recommendations on an inexpensive (ie cheap) PCI you should describe your application. depending on the eventual number (and type) of drives in your array, you could exceed the bandwidth of the controller card or the pci bus. most controller cards perform poorly. i suggest you investigate lsi Matt Newman wrote: I would prefer SATA, but PATA would work too the only difference between sata and pata is ncq which is mainly only useful for server type applications. for non-scsi servers, the only sensible choice is the western digital raptors for both multi user access and rating for 24/7 operation. for media processing, backup and desktop use, the maxtor 300 with 16 meg cache and the new seagate 7200.8 series are good choices. note that raid-5 is a poor choice for any application that does as many writes as reads - the write performance of raid-5 can be 4 times slower than reading. so for example, a database that is getting write activity (such as a forum) should be either raid-1 or raid-10