• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Dual PSU/RAID Question (Hypothetical in nature)

V

Vilica

Senior member
This is more of a hypothetical question at the moment, but I'm simply curious, and I couldn't find any sort of mention about this.

Say you wanted to run a 10hd RAID 0+1 array (perhaps with the new 200gb WD hds 😀)... what sort of other hardware configuration would one need to have the ability to do that? My thinking would be that you'd definitely need 2 Power Supplies... (along with a case that's big enough to allow you to install both of them) is that even possible or recommended? You'd probably need more than 1 PCI RAID card... would that affect performance or the flexibility of the RAID config? Would it be better to run 5 drives in a RAID 0 array off 1 RAID card, and the other 5 in a RAID 1 array off the other (as opposed to running all 10 in RAID 0+1, if that's possible)?

Actually, thinking about it more might push forward 12hds as being optimal, if one uses a master/slave combo in each IDE slot... but anyway, any comments and/or links would be appreciated. As I said, this is more of a hypothetical question right now, but you never know when 2tb of storage could come in handy...

btw, I've got an 80gb and a 60gb hd... if I partition the 80 into a 20/60, is it possible to put the 2 60gb partitions into a RAID 0 array and leave the 20gb partition alone? I'm sure the answer is around somewhere, but all the RAID articles/reviews I've read have simply assumed that the whole drive will be used in the RAID array.

Anyways, thanks in advance for all responses... curiosity hasn't killed this cat yet 🙂
 
"what sort of other hardware configuration would one need to have the ability to do that?"

A RAID card that supports that many drive would be about it. A MB with something faster than standard 32bit 33MHz PCI cards would be recommended.

"My thinking would be that you'd definitely need 2 Power Supplies"

Probably wouldn't need anything more than 1 350W PS, 400W tops.

"You'd probably need more than 1 PCI RAID card..."

3Ware sells a 12 channel IDE RAID card.

"would that affect performance or the flexibility of the RAID config?"

Not recommended, you would need some form or software RAID to use multiple cards in tadem.

"Would it be better to run 5 drives in a RAID 0 array off 1 RAID card, and the other 5 in a RAID 1 array off the other"

You can't have more than 2 drives in a RAID 1 array. You can RAID 0 5 drives on one card, RAID 0 5 drives on the other card and then use software RAID 1 to treat each RAID 0 array as a drive, using one array to mirror the other, but that would be rather pointless and overly complicated.

"if I partition the 80 into a 20/60, is it possible to put the 2 60gb partitions into a RAID 0 array and leave the 20gb partition alone?"

With pure software RAID, it is, I don't think any RAID controller cards allow that.
 
Just a nitpicky sort of thing, but the reason I was thinking one would need multiple power supplies would be because you'd need the connectors... figure 10hd power connectors, 2 cd-rom connectors, and maybe another 1 for a standard hd with the OS and programs... that's 13 right there, and looking at my 430W PSU, it only has 7...

Otherwise, thanks for the info, I guess I need to read up a bit more on RAID, cleared up some of my misunderstandings, at least. 🙂

Back to the (theoretical) drawing board.
 
You'll save a lot of money if you buy power Y cables when you run out of connectors as opposed to an additional PS. Also, connecting 2 ATX PS's can be an exercise in frustration, redundant PS's are not cheap either.
 
Hard drives could be hooked up via power splitters and 2 power supplies just for the connectors would be overkill
 
ah, I was unaware of the existence of those power splitters, figured there might be something to that extent but hadn't seen anything in my browsing... you live, you learn, and computers get faster... just 3 of the truths in life 🙂
 
One thing to watch with RAID and a large number of drives is the impulse current load on the power supply. RAID tends to get all the drives seeking at the same instant which puts a huge transient current demand on the supply which could cause it to shut down.
 
You can buy a cunning little relay device that allows you to switch a second ATX PSU on at the same time as the first one. It takes a 4-pin hdd style Molex from the primary PSU and the ATX power connector from the secondary one. When the primary is switched on, a 12 volt relay switches and turns the secondary one on. When the primary one is switched off, the secondary one goes as well. Deeply cunning, methinks.
 
Originally posted by: Woodchuck2000
You can buy a cunning little relay device that allows you to switch a second ATX PSU on at the same time as the first one. It takes a 4-pin hdd style Molex from the primary PSU and the ATX power connector from the secondary one. When the primary is switched on, a 12 volt relay switches and turns the secondary one on. When the primary one is switched off, the secondary one goes as well. Deeply cunning, methinks.
Click to expand...

wow...that's very intriguing.....do you happen to have a link about one of these things?

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top