Use MB RAID Controller for Server?

[slipperypete]

Howdy,
I have an old PC I'd like to re-purpose as a home file server/media server. It has an ASUS P5Q Pro MB, 8Gb RAM, Intel E8500 processor, and 500 watt PS. I would like to buy 4-5 drives for a large RAID 5 array using the MB's raid controller (Intel Matrix RAID) to store pics, music, movies, backups, etc. I plan to back up all the info on a separate enclosure (SANS Digital 2 bay enclosure connected via eSATA). I would like advice - pro or con - regarding using the MB's raid controller for this instead of buying a NAS or add-in card to handle the array. Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Jimmah]

Personally I would not use the onboard controller, they're sometimes flakey and can cause problems if a drive fails.

I like software RAID, or if you wish to use Linux you can use Amahi with Greyhole. GH I'm a huge fan of, mainly because all of the mirrored folders can be on different drives in different file systems, even over mounted network drives and USB devices.

 

[Dahak]

the other major thing you have to consider when running motherboard raid, is if the board fails you loose your data as you cannot migrate the array.

 

[Spikesoldier]

do raid 1. also for what you describe, 8gb is overkill. i would reduce to 2,3, or 4gb, depending on what OS you are running.

 

[mfenn]

I would not use the mobo RAID because then you are tied to the board forever. I'd either get a hardware RAID card (may be out of the budget) or use software RAID (real servers run Linux).

 

[slipperypete]

Thanks for all your replies. I think I'm going to see if I can find a used 4 port 3ware 9650SE. Please let me know if there's is something else I should consider that may do the job as well and cheaper.