Going from single SSD to RAID 0 SSD...... How?

[gamefreakgcb]

Hello, I have 1 96GB Kingston SSD in my rig right now, I have another lying around and would like to set it up as a RAID 0. How do I do this without doing a fresh install. I have an image of the current setup. Any idea?

 

[groberts101]

the Windows AHCI driver is raid compatible so you should be fine to set up the raid and flash the image over to it. Worst case is to run the recovery console and do a repair after the flash if you did have issue.

The other way would be to set to the bios to raid mode for the single drive and try a reboot. If issue arises try the repair as mentioned above. If a repair is needed.. save the new image for use after the array is built. If not then proceed onwards.

You should always secure erase a used SSD prior to reinstallation for resetting the controllers mapping and memory to factory fresh states. Many just reformat and reinstall which is usually fine but does not actually reset the controller in the same manner and instead relies on garbage collection to straighten out the mess.

So, just SE both drives to reset them, build the raid(64k stripes are decent all-around for an OS volume), and flash the backup image. Simple stuff once you do it a few times. Good Luck with it.

 

[gamefreakgcb]

What should I use to secure erase a Kingston SSD with the new Toshiba controller?

 

[groberts101]

Parted magic, HDDErase 4.0, Ubuntu, etc. I'd check on the mfgrs forum to see what others are using first.

PS. all HDD and SSD has the ATA secure erase feature built into its firmware by law and all you need to do is to use a third party app(if Kingston doesn't make one for you to use) to initiate the command for secure erasure to be completed.

EDIT: Kingston doesn't even seem to have a dedicated forum which sucks. Try this link.
http://www.kingston.com/redtech/articles/00007/00007.asp

 

[gamefreakgcb]

I should select 64K as the block size right? I'm getting conflicting opinions on the web. Thanks so far for your help btw.

 

[groberts101]

there is a lot of confusion on the recommended stripe size for SSD. SSD is quite different than HDD in this regard so keep that in mind when searching.

All that you really do when changing stripe sizes is to shift the bandwidth peaks up or down the file size scale kind of like the camshaft does in an engine. Set it all the way down and watch the large file transfers suffer a bit and vice versa on the other end.

64k is decent all around for 2 drives in an array and all that you'll do by screwing around with these settings is to plus or minus about 3-5% in bandwidth one way or the other. I've tested, tested, and tested some more and it's an exercise in futility when using limited hardware like an onboard setup would give.

Now when we start getting into 16drive HDD arrays running off a raidcard?.. well.. that's a different animal altogether and larger gains can be had.

I'd just set it to 64k and be happy knowing the array will be smoking fast and not much at all would be left on the table. Good Luck with it.