Need advice on massive storage upgrade...

[integramodder]

Current System:
1x 74GB WD Raptor, 2 Partitions: OS and My Docs
4x 500GB WD Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS, RAID 5 - 1.33TB usable space.

I would rather just buy 3 TB drives if I had the option of later adding a drive in without having to reformat, but as far as I know that is not possible with my ASUS P5B Deluxe.

Speed isn't a big concern for me. The computer streams media to my 360 for movies and music throughout the house.

From a quick search, the WD Caviar GP WD10EACS looks appealing due to its price and lower power consumption (the system is never shut down and is my server).

Are there any reasons not to buy 4 or 5 of these and RAID 5 them?



Thanks

 

[jaqie]

for home use, I highly recommend running windows XP hacked to support software raid5 (google for it, tomshardware did a long article on it once) and then run a software raid5 volume with at least 3 drives. With that, you can have a heterogenous controller environment, and don't have to worry about plugging them all into the same places they were in before - you can even swap mobos like this provided you preload the new mobo controller drivers or use all addin controllers before the switch. With windows' raid5, you will see good performance, a bit below hardware raid5, and be able to expand it 'while hot' with new drives all you want, including adding in replacements for failed drives to rebuild the array onto.

 

[integramodder]

I'm currently satisfied with my Asus PDB5 Deluxe that is handling my current RAID5 setup. I think the I will outgrow the 5TB raid before I have need to change my motherboard.

As an alternative, what's a good hardware raid controller that can handle 5 drives in RAID5?

 

[jaqie]

raidcore makes a great 6 port controller, but it costs as much as a cheap PC in itself.

You assume your motherboard won't develop problems or die. What if it does? then you are stuck without a way to access your data. Same with any hardware raid controller.

 

[Kakumba]

Sounds like the best option for you is Linux software raid. to be honest, the raid controllers on motherboards are almost never worth using. Unless its a really expensive server motherboard, but thats not the case. If you want to rely on a RAID controller, then get a good one, from a company who you can be confident will be able to help you 3 years or more down th track if the controller dies.

Otherwise, Linux software raid ftw.

 

[integramodder]

Originally posted by: jaqie
raidcore makes a great 6 port controller, but it costs as much as a cheap PC in itself.

You assume your motherboard won't develop problems or die. What if it does? then you are stuck without a way to access your data. Same with any hardware raid controller.

The motherboard uses the Intel matrix raid controller. If the motherboard does fail and I get another raid setup on a new mobo with the same intel matrix raid controller, will it require a reformat or just accept the settings?

 

[jaqie]

if it is the exact same model of chip, it *might* work properly. if it is not, chances are, it will require a build from scratch.

 

[integramodder]

So what alternatives do I have of making a bullet proof method for having my raid work after a potential mobo / raid controller failure? Purchase an extra working mobo and keep it in the garage?

 

[Mondoman]

Either that, or buy an extra RAID controller card. If you're willing to go with PATA drives, used MegaRAID i4 cards are available on ebay for $40-50 each. I used one to set up a Linux-based RAID file server similar to that described in this article: http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/27840/77/

 

[jaqie]

That, Or run software RAID. much better in the long term, IMO.

 

[integramodder]

The drives I'm getting are SATA II. Any good alternatives for software RAID 5 on VISTA?

 

[jaqie]

XP or linux would be your best bet, as I am not sure Vista has the ability to be hacked to enable software raid5.
You could easily google though to find out for yourself