Suggestions / RAID Cards for this change/build?

[jsedlak]

I have a server that I would like to upgrade a bit from a data safety standpoint. The box runs WS08 R2, installed on a single 320gb WD drive with a second 320gb WD drive (same but an extra revision or two) for storing virtual machines. The server is always on (24/7) and acts as an AD/DNS server and a VM host (currently 4 guest machines w/ 2 running 24/7). I fear that one of the drives will fail eventually and that my data will be lost so I am looking at a RAID1 setup.

I would like to move to one of the following:

Scenario 1:
Put the 2x320gb WD into RAID0 for OS
Put two new (RE3?) 2x1tb into RAID1 for VM and data storage (and backup of OS array)

Scenario 2:
Put the 2x320gb WD into RAID1 for OS
Put two new (RE3?) 2x1tb into RAID1 again for VM and data storage

Scenario 3:
Have a single 320gb WD for OS
Put two new (RE3?) 2x1tb into RAID1 for VM and data storage (and backup of OS drive)

I don't really know what my options are for RAID cards nor what they support. For instance can a single card handle multiple array setups? Can I use the existing 320gb drives in an array if they are the same drive but a different revision? Also I haven't really settled on price yet as it depends on what hardware is necessary. I would like to stay in the sub-$400 range for the card hardware.

A small performance drop is okay to gain data safety. A large performance drop is unacceptable since the guest machines do a lot of I/O to the hard drives.

So what are your thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[pjkenned]

I don't really know what my options are for RAID cards nor what they support. For instance can a single card handle multiple array setups? Can I use the existing 320gb drives in an array if they are the same drive but a different revision? Also I haven't really settled on price yet as it depends on what hardware is necessary. I would like to stay in the sub-$400 range for the card hardware.

Yes. Yes. Raid 1 is fine using onboard raid. Also WS08R2 has mirroring in software which should be fine performance wise with only a handful of drives (you have a maximum of 4 in above scenarios.

If you really wanted a raid card to do Raid 1 on <8 drives, and inexpensively, look into an Adaptec 3805, 3085 or similar (no need for the 5xxx series). Other good options are Areca (expensive) 12xx series and LSI. A final option might be the Perc 6. Realistically though, if you have the open SATA ports, you don't really need HW raid for that setup.

 

[jsedlak]

Thanks.

Just to clarify: I could get a card with 4 SATA ports, hookup 4 drives and then have dual RAID 1 configurations?

I think that right now is my ideal situation.

 

[sub.mesa]

Why do you want an add-on card. Does your server mobo have no chipset-powered SATA? If yes, why not use them? They are the fastest you can use, and you won't have performance problems like when using PCI.

Also, i assume you have RAID1 and a backup? Or are you using the RAID1 as a backup? I must add that RAID can never replace a backup, and not using RAID1 might be much more secure for your data.

 

[jsedlak]

Why do you want an add-on card. Does your server mobo have no chipset-powered SATA? If yes, why not use them? They are the fastest you can use, and you won't have performance problems like when using PCI.

The mobo supports SATA, but no RAID unless I somehow missed that option. This "server" is actually a desktop platform - a Q6600 and some DDR2 memory.

Also, i assume you have RAID1 and a backup? Or are you using the RAID1 as a backup? I must add that RAID can never replace a backup, and not using RAID1 might be much more secure for your data.

I have an external drive for keeping backups and am considering other options for redundancy such as a WHS machine. So in this case the RAID isn't replacing a backup but simply adding to it.

 

[pjkenned]

The mobo supports SATA, but no RAID unless I somehow missed that option. This "server" is actually a desktop platform - a Q6600 and some DDR2 memory.

WS08R2 will let you mirror volumes so even without onboard raid, you can do that. Do you know what chipset the desktop board is using? If it is an ICH10R or ICH9R (pretty common on LGA775 boards) then onboard raid 1 won't be an issue since it is available on the chipset. If you also got an add-in card, that will work with software raid also.

Finally, if you wanted a cheap but decent card with SATA and Raid 1, you could get something like an Adaptec 2405 or ebay an Adaptec 3805 or the like for around $200.

Backups are great, I do tons, but the big advantage of Raid 1/5/6 is that you don't have downtime unless something went really bad in the OS.

 

[jsedlak]

WS08R2 will let you mirror volumes so even without onboard raid, you can do that. Do you know what chipset the desktop board is using? If it is an ICH10R or ICH9R (pretty common on LGA775 boards) then onboard raid 1 won't be an issue since it is available on the chipset. If you also got an add-in card, that will work with software raid also.

Not off the top of my head, but I am pretty sure it is ICH10R or similar. It is a fairly recent board. I am not interested in software solutions at this point because they require the software to be working; I am having enough issues with R2 as it is.

Finally, if you wanted a cheap but decent card with SATA and Raid 1, you could get something like an Adaptec 2405 or ebay an Adaptec 3805 or the like for around $200.

Backups are great, I do tons, but the big advantage of Raid 1/5/6 is that you don't have downtime unless something went really bad in the OS.

I was looking at the PERC 6 cards on Ebay and the prices aren't too bad either.

The downtime issue is one of the reasons I am pursuing the RAID option. Since one of the server's duties is to host VMs (including source control, SQL, etc) having them running reliably is a requirement.

But because ton of the space it can also double as a backup location for my photos (RAW files - blegh) so I don't have to crowd my workstation with old photos.

 

[pjkenned]

Yea the Perc 6's are good. On ebay the 3805/ 3085 (external) 3405 and etc cards will be fine and sub $300 also. Adaptec v. Areca can be debated for hours on end (I use both), but low drive count raid 1 isn't super taxing.

If you have an ICH10R then it's a pseudo-software solution, since it can be set up in the "raid" bios and is enabled not just in software.

 

[jsedlak]

Yea the Perc 6's are good. On ebay the 3805/ 3085 (external) 3405 and etc cards will be fine and sub $300 also. Adaptec v. Areca can be debated for hours on end (I use both), but low drive count raid 1 isn't super taxing.

If you have an ICH10R then it's a pseudo-software solution, since it can be set up in the "raid" bios and is enabled not just in software.

Awesome.

Have you used the PERCs on a non Dell system? My concern here is that in the past my Dell desktops have had proprietary hardware / software the prevents their use in non-Dell systems.