• 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.

Raid Hardware or software?

R

raidrider

Junior Member
Hi everyone,
I need some clarification on whether to use software or hardware for my raid5 setup. I have a Asus striker II extreme, running Vista Ultimate 64bit and 4 WD velociraptor 300gigs. I have read where they recommend a controller card and I have also read where they say a card will bottle neck the system in the pci e4 slot. Which it the the best way to go and why?
 
hardware raid-5 with battery or flash back write cache for sure on raid-5.

raid-5 needs cache for the performance hit - honestly i'd just do raid-0+1 and eat the loss - the performance gain is substantial if implemented correctly; no crc or double read/writes
 
In windows go hardware raid for sure, real hardware raid not those add on cards that are no better than the built in mobo crap.
 
If you were using Linux I'd suggest software RAID without hesitation, but Windows software RAID sucks so I'd say avoid it whenever possible.
 
Before you buy any RAID card or even think about doing it. You need to understand its purpose and what you are doing. Google some pages to educate yourself before you purchase. I learned tons about RAID by doing just so when I understood little about it.
 
pugh. I did do some reading that is why I was looking on doing a raid 5 detup. I think it offers more data security and can withstand up to two hard drives dying at the same time. Yes, there is some performance lost but there is more data protection. I am glad for all the feed back but I still need more info on raid hardware such as brand and specs. Basic things to look for before buy now that I know hardware is the way to go. Thanks in advance.
 
take a look over at 2cpu.com. go to the storage forum and have a look in and do some searches there. Some guys there with some good info on Raid cards and hard drive compatibility.

Whatever you do. Back up your data on that RAID array.. They CAN fail. The question will be are you ready if and when it does.

Also Ruby con who hangs out here is a member there to and has some knowledge posted there.
 
Oh I forgot I did have a RAID 5 on my Areca card and it was fast. First I ran a 3 drive then a 4 before going RAID 0.
 
pugh. I did do some reading that is why I was looking on doing a raid 5 detup. I think it offers more data security and can withstand up to two hard drives dying at the same time
Click to expand...

RAID5 only supports 1 failed drive at a time, RAID6 can handle 2.
 
So where's your backup?

I would prefer a RAID0 + separate backup anytime over a RAID0+1 without backup at all.

That also makes your storage setup a bit simpler.
 
RAID0+1 is not the same as RAID1+0. RAID0 has a 100% data lost rate if one drive fails. RAID1+0, which is a bit superior to RAID0+1, is a nested RAID and requires a minimum of four drives and can withstand the lost of one drive and rebuilding is alot faster. Backup is always a good idea. You never know, two drives can fail at the same time.
 
RAID0+1 is not the same as RAID1+0. RAID0 has a 100% data lost rate if one drive fails. RAID1+0, which is a bit superior to RAID0+1, is a nested RAID and requires a minimum of four drives and can withstand the lost of one drive and rebuilding is alot faster. Backup is always a good idea. You never know, two drives can fail at the same time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top