Raid 1

predicament

predicament

New Member
I would like to install another harddrive on my computer for redundency (RAID 1)

my current hard drive
9exg26j9.png



my question is, do i need to buy the exact same hard drive that I plan on using as my redundant disk?

Also, do i need to buy cables etc.?
 
What model of Dell computer do you have? Only certain Dells have the ability to do raid.
 
You do not need to buy the exact same model disk for RAID1, though it is recommend because if the read/write times don't match one drive will always be waiting on the other and one drive will work harder than the other.

Looks like you got a 400Gig drive, adding another PATA 7200 RPM 400gig drive from any maker will most likely work.

RAID 1 is not a back up solution either as it is more of a redundancy solution. Just remember if you get a virus or delete a file, it is mirrored on the secondary drive.

You also either have to do a software RAID or purchase a RAID controller, unless your motherboard chipset supports RAID configurations natively.
 
tlarkin said:
You do not need to buy the exact same model disk for RAID1, though it is recommend because if the read/write times don't match one drive will always be waiting on the other and one drive will work harder than the other.

Looks like you got a 400Gig drive, adding another PATA 7200 RPM 400gig drive from any maker will most likely work.

RAID 1 is not a back up solution either as it is more of a redundancy solution. Just remember if you get a virus or delete a file, it is mirrored on the secondary drive.

You also either have to do a software RAID or purchase a RAID controller, unless your motherboard chipset supports RAID configurations natively.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am aware of the virus risk.

How can I tell whether I need to purchase a controller or just download software?

johnb35 said:
What model of Dell computer do you have? Only certain Dells have the ability to do raid.
Click to expand...

dell xps 600

almost 100% sure I can raid on this computer
 
You can RAID so good for you. I say go for it. The mention of software RAID should of been marked as a joke. Software RAID is a joke. Looks like you can hardware RAID. Congrats.

Edit: Link to system.
 
powerpack said:
You can RAID so good for you. I say go for it. The mention of software RAID should of been marked as a joke. Software RAID is a joke. Looks like you can hardware RAID. Congrats.

Edit: Link to system.
Click to expand...

It is a joke? Then my 40 servers running a software RAID in each of them are finding the punch-line not so funny.
 
tlarkin said:
It is a joke? Then my 40 servers running a software RAID in each of them are finding the punch-line not so funny.
Click to expand...
Come on you are talking 40 servers? Why are you RAID'ing? Cut me some slack I am working on a notebook a desktop would be a step up. I think you might know more about specialized usage.

But if you tell some guy with a desktop that software RAID Rocks.......... You really would?;) Really?:confused: Not joking you would. If you would I guess I have to say I am glad you have 40 servers running software raid but get a clue for the rest of us. Software RAID sucks vs Hardware!

Oh and that does also apply to 40 servers.:P;):)
 
Last edited:
powerpack said:
Come on you are talking 40 servers? Why are you RAID'ing? Cut me some slack I am working on a notebook a desktop would be a step up. I think you might know more about specialized usage.

But if you tell some guy with a desktop that software RAID Rocks.......... You really would?;) Really?:confused: Not joking you would. If you would I guess I have to say I am glad you have 40 servers running software raid but get a clue for the rest of us. Software RAID sucks vs Hardware!

Oh and that does also apply to 40 servers.:P;):)
Click to expand...

Actually software RAID isn't all that bad to be honest. They run RAID 5 for redundancy and striping. They are servers that host home directories and are used for package deployment and policy at my work.

Actually, my servers do have RAID controllers but they are controlled by software and not by some BIOS, this is due to EFI I think, so essentially they are running hardware RAIDs but controlled by software.

Also with processor technology getting so advanced, software RAIDs actually can outperform hardware. The processor on your RAID controller isn't going to be more powerful than your system processor. The more powerful hardware RAID controllers are also extremely expensive.

Read this whole article

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/raid-hardware-vs-raid-software.html
 
I will read your link. And you clearly know more about what you do than I do. But unless I am wrong for us basic system guys hardware is better? If I am wrong about that feel free to inform me at your convenience. I am no expert on this. But I do/did think OP is good having hardware? I know RAID0 maybe even more so.
 
powerpack said:
I will read your link. And you clearly know more about what you do than I do. But unless I am wrong for us basic system guys hardware is better? If I am wrong about that feel free to inform me at your convenience. I am no expert on this. But I do/did think OP is good having hardware? I know RAID0 maybe even more so.
Click to expand...

I don't think you can really buy a modern computer that doesn't have at least 4 processors in it now (ie 4 cores) and I am pretty sure one of those cores can run all the calculations needed to keep track of a RAID. Hardware RAID is very restrictive too.

It just really depends on what you want to and how much performance/redundancy you want to get with your disk I/O and balance it out with what you got hardware wise.
 
I read the article. I would say it informed me of mostly what I know. As I said I am a notebook guy. I can see why you do what you do. It makes sense. But for a stand alone guy not so sure. The cost is not that great and the performance has advantage.
 
@Powerpack
thank you

Now:

please can we stay o/t

which harddrives would you recommend?

Also do i need to purchase and cables or will they come with the new HDD
 
If the drive comes in a nice box then it will have the sata cable with it but if you buy the bare drive (oem) then you will have to purchase the cables. As far as what brands to get... Western Digital or Seagate.
 
johnb35 said:
If the drive comes in a nice box then it will have the sata cable with it but if you buy the bare drive (oem) then you will have to purchase the cables. As far as what brands to get... Western Digital or Seagate.
Click to expand...

and size wise?

Am i going to find another 400 Gb ? All I seem to see is 500 or 750 or 1 Tb
 
The only problem that I see that you have right now is that you are using an IDE drive instead of a SATA drive. If you want to raid then you have to use the SATA ports as raid won't work on your IDE port. So you would have to buy 2 500gb SATA drives and raid them. You will have to reinstall windows though.
 
Also keep in mind that Hard drives have burst speeds, meaning they are not constantly the same speed 24/7/365. Since RAID 1 keeps both drives in sync at all times, you actually may get worse disk I/O performance.

RAID 1 is really only a technology for someone who has to have zero down time. Otherwise it is more of a back end technology in my opinion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top