Maximilian
Lifer
Will there be any problems having the OS and all my data on a RAID 5 array together, or is it better to have the OS on a separate drive?
Either way is fine, a lot of admins tend to separate the OS volume from the Application volume.
Personally, if they're not using separate arrays, there is no performance benefit. It is simply a manner of separating the OS and keeping the app elsewhere in the event of an OS failure (reload C and don't affect D).
In addition, I've been a bit annoyed with past admins who separate them, and only leave 10-12 GBs for the OS, and also install apps on C. There comes a time when the updates from MS cause the drive to reach full capacity, and then you play the what can/can't I move over to D to open up some space.
And, if you're using SQL, it is best to have an OS array, a Database array, and a Log array that use separate physical disks.
As for RAID5, we use it on ten to twenty systems at least here, so you should have absolutely 0 trouble so long as your RAID controller is supported.
Amen brotha'. I have been plagued with this issue so far on five servers. I wanted to shove my foot up the ass of the previous admin. Fortunately for both him and my foot, he is no longer working here.