need RAID assistance for backup

[OrlyNorly]

I want a central location to store our companies files (mostly JPGs, and smaller data files). I found a NAS RAID set up that we can use, but am trying to figure out the best way to accomplish my goal. All 5 comptuers will be writing to the RAID accessible through the network, I want to be able to pull a pull a drive so I physically have a complete backup of the files we've saved to the RAID.

so cliff notes:
-company will read/write files to RAID via network
-want at least two drives in the RAID at any time to be duplicates of each other
-want to rotate a drive in/out bimonthly so we have a offsite storage of data in case of fire/natural disaster/theives
-want to be able to reinsert the drive previsouly being stored offsite, and have it updated with new data

is that even possible?

 

[Matthias99]

This is not really a Highly Technical question, and should probably go in General Hardware. However:

-company will read/write files to RAID via network
-want at least two drives in the RAID at any time to be duplicates of each other
-want to rotate a drive in/out bimonthly so we have a offsite storage of data in case of fire/natural disaster/theives
-want to be able to reinsert the drive previsouly being stored offsite, and have it updated with new data

A 3-way RAID1 would work (you have three drives replicating your data, then when you pull one you still have two copies so that a single drive failure won't take you down, and you can recover from the spare.) However, for this, you'd need three times as much disk space as your usable capacity needs to be.

However, if you think you will eventually want more sophisticated backup capabilities (and more storage than a single NAS device can provide), you might want to think about a low-end enterprise NAS/SAN that can do things like true snapshotting, automated remote replication to disk/tape, etc. -- and can hold a lot more drives! Then you could run a RAID5/6 array (with less wasted space), and have the device make backup sets on removable drives.

 

[OrlyNorly]

Originally posted by: Matthias99
This is not really a Highly Technical question, and should probably go in General Hardware. However:

-company will read/write files to RAID via network
-want at least two drives in the RAID at any time to be duplicates of each other
-want to rotate a drive in/out bimonthly so we have a offsite storage of data in case of fire/natural disaster/theives
-want to be able to reinsert the drive previsouly being stored offsite, and have it updated with new data

A 3-way RAID1 would work (you have three drives replicating your data, then when you pull one you still have two copies so that a single drive failure won't take you down, and you can recover from the spare.) However, for this, you'd need three times as much disk space as your usable capacity needs to be.

However, if you think you will eventually want more sophisticated backup capabilities (and more storage than a single NAS device can provide), you might want to think about a low-end enterprise NAS/SAN that can do things like true snapshotting, automated remote replication to disk/tape, etc. -- and can hold a lot more drives! Then you could run a RAID5/6 array (with less wasted space), and have the device make backup sets on removable drives.

I found this,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822133003

No reviews, but looks promising? Our files aren't too large, so our RAID would likely have < 150gb (3x 150gb) and have lots of room to spare. My question is, with a RAID1, if I pull a drive from the array (since they are all mirrored) will it be accessible if I hooked it up to a computer? When I place the removed drive into the RAID, should it automatically rebuild it with the most current data?

 

[OrlyNorly]

bump

 

[themisfit610]

If you drop another disk into a RAID 1 it should rebuild automatically. Not sure what happens f you pull a drive from a RAID 1, and try to access it with a standard controller.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: themisfit610
Not sure what happens f you pull a drive from a RAID 1, and try to access it with a standard controller.

You get a message at boot telling you so and have the option of continuing or shutting down and correcting the problem.

 

[OrlyNorly]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: themisfit610
Not sure what happens f you pull a drive from a RAID 1, and try to access it with a standard controller.

You get a message at boot telling you so and have the option of continuing or shutting down and correcting the problem.

So, basically, we nee that same RAID enclosure to access the data on that drive...unless it's a software RAID?