Re: Windows XP RAID 5

Simon Finnigan wrote:
Hi All,
I'm in the process of a new build (can't find the machine I want for sensible cash, so building it myself). Because of this I now have an Athlon XP 2500+, 1 gig of RAM and a very nice case and motherboard effectively spare. I'm planning on using it for a file server over the hous network. What I want to do is to enable Windows XP's built in RAID 5 ability (following instructions from Toms hardware :-) ) and put in 4 x 250 gig drives, making for 750 gig of useable disk space.

The network is currently only 100MB/s, but will probably end up upgrading the room the server is in to use gigabit (let me access the files more quickly localy, but more slowly through the rest of the house).

Anyone done this and found it to be a good solution? I know that buying a real PCI raid card will get better results, but I'd rather not spend that much cash, and with the limitations of the network over which the data will be accessed I don;t really see the need to try and squeeze every last drop of performance out of the system. The PC will also be used as a print server for a USB printer, and a FTP server for the house CCTV system. None of thses jobs need a lot of CPU power, so I reckon this will be ok - what is the consensus?

Thanks in advance for your help!


Software RAID has significant performance issues for many applications. If you do get an operating system problem, you may easily find the entire array "disappears". Restoring 750GByte from backup is going to take a while...

I would suggest using inexpensive hardware RAID (under 20GBP for a PCI, but your mobo may already have it) and making do with 500Gbyte or simple mirror - or add another couple of disks to get the 750. Or buying a decent hardware RAID card..

Examine the throughput on your 100 meg nic. I doubt that it is maxed out, so putting in a 1000 meg link isn't going to achieve anything.

Hardware 4 port cable routers with built in USB printserver are <15GBP on ebuyer, IIRC. Worth considering, rather than using your PC.

You may want to look at a freenas server. I use them a lot. Their software RAID is rock-solid and well outperforms XP/2k/NT.

--
Sue




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