Will the Nvida Raid Utility Work With Server 2003?

[Elfear]

Trying to set up a small file server at work using an MSI Neo4 Platinum, 4 Hitachi Sata II drives in a 0+1 array, and Server 2003. The problem I'm running into is that the setup cd that came with the mobo says it's incompatible with Server 2003. I need the Nvidia Raid Utility so that if a disk fails it will rebuild itself when a new disk replaces the bad one (at least I think I need the utility to do that). I'll consider using the Silicon Image raid if it will work with Server 2003, but I'd like to take advantage of the Sata II capabilites of the hdds if I can.

I've tried just searching through the files on the cd, but the utility doesn't want to load that way either. Any ideas?

 

[Elfear]

Anyone?

 

[nweaver]

use software raid in linux, use Server 2k3 license money to buy ice cream

 

[Genx87]

I used the PATA Raid ability and setup two 80GB drives in raid 1. There was a little quirk that happened when I brought the SI controller array up. For whatever reason the MB stuck the SI controller in front of the NVRaid controller for a boot device. After I fixed that isssue we were gtg.

 

[spyordie007]

Just because the software wont run under windows doesnt mean you cant use the RAID functionality. RAID happens on the hardware and is abstracted to the OS, you'll just have to setup RAID in the controller's BIOS (and use it if you need to do an array rebuild).

use software raid in linux, use Server 2k3 license money to buy ice cream

You're answer is completely useless. He certainly wouldnt be able to run the software RAID management utility from Linux.

 

[nweaver]

most motherboards use driver level raid (i.e. software) for windows. Linux Software raid would provide speed, redundancy, fault tolernace, and compatibility with his conroller (assuming a standard module). Linux SW Raid > quasi driver software raid in windows. He would not need the software raid management utility, as he could use raid tools

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: nweaver
most motherboards use driver level raid (i.e. software) for windows. Linux Software raid would provide speed, redundancy, fault tolernace, and compatibility with his conroller (assuming a standard module). Linux SW Raid > quasi driver software raid in windows. He would not need the software raid management utility, as he could use raid tools

You can use the software raid tool however the hardware can also perform the same functions.

 

[Varun]

However he is trying to do this on Windows Server 2003 so your Linux answer is irrelevant.

 

[nweaver]

not sure on this exact motherboard, but since most are setup w/driver level raid (i.e. not hardware raid), if the drivers don't support Win2k3, then he can't install the OS on the windows driver s/w raid array. To install the OS on a SW raid array, he would need to use Linux or some other operating system that supports s/w raid. Linux has excellent S/W raid support. It is usually more robust/faster then the driver level countpart in windows.

 

[Phrontis]

 

[Phrontis]

I have just set up 2 raid arrays on a DFi Lanparty NForce4 DR motherboard. I have 2 x 70Gb Raptors in a mirror on the nForce controller and 4 X 300GB Maxtor maxline IIs in a raid 5 array on the Silicon Image contoller and they seem to work OK. A right pain to get everything to work with Server 2003 but all report OK formatted OK. Have not yet tried pulling a disk and seeing if they write to a spare yet.

Phrontis

 

[drag]

Linux posts not-with-standing... (psst.. Windows has software raid support, too. Lookup 'dynamic disks', it's just that linux software raid is especially fast for being software-based)

Avoid onboard 'BIOS-raid' stuff for serious work. They do little, if anything, to improve performance. The redundancy can be usefull, but investing in a way to do backups would be much better then a 2nd harddrive for Raid.

Like for instance a extra dvd drive to make backups quicker or a external harddrive you back everything up to.

The extra raid mirror may protect against a single harddrive failure (to a limited degree), but it's not going to protect your data from worms/viruses, hackers, electrical overloads, corrupted file system, and various other bad things that are easily tackled thru good backups.

If you realy need raid to solve problems that can't be tackled thru software, then buy a real raid card. Don't bother with the cheap sata 'bios' raid that comes on most consumer motherboards.