Re: Windows XP RAID 5

Simon Finnigan wrote:
"Palindr?me" <me9@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:127opihoei00225@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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...


Looking at Tom's guide to Windows XP RAID 5, they essentially took the drives out of one PC, put them in another and the array was found and worked fine. Performance alone isn;t that big an issue for me - disk size and stability/reiability is more important.

Moving an array is not an operating system problem. I have seen an array disappear, whilst repairing a system. But I had a full backup, so it wasn't a problem..



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..


I want Raid 5 rather than 0+1 or any other similar option. I want more than 500 gig, I want it all in one easy to find and organise place. The motherboard already has a raid controller onboard, but it is limited to 0, 1 and 0+1. 0+1 is a waste of disk space IMHO. 0+1 would limit me to a 500 gig drive, which is smaller than I really need for this application.

You asked for advice. I gave you mine, FWIW.



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


Which is why I'm sticking with to 100 meg network until and unless I feel the need to upgrade it. having said that, the majority of the equipment in that room has gig ethernet built in, so it isn;t a huge step to move over when I feel the need. The only time that the gig would be needed is for moving massive files around - this won;t haen often and can be done at a quiet time when nothing else needs to use the machine.

Even moving massive files, I doubt that you can max out a 100 meg point to point link.



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


They don;t work on multi function devices, this printer has a scanner etc built in. It needs to be plugged into a PC to work properly with all the available features :-)

You wrote, "The PC will also be used as a print
server for a USB printer." No mention of multi-function devices.



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.


The issue with anything other than Windows is that it then breaks the printer. the new PC will be turned off when not in use, the file server will always be on, hence the desire to use it as the print server as well as a file server.

Also, Windows on the PC to be used as the file server is rock steady - it goes weeks without crashing or needing to be reset. The onl time t gets shut down is to add r remove hardware, or when I'm doing something with the electricity supply - stability wise the box fits the bill perfectly.


I haven't found a M$oft system yet that is "rock steady". Patches appear all the time - mostly to fill security holes that have to be filled.

I think that you have made your mind up to use XP software RAID 5 and wanted someone to agree with you that it is sensible. Sorry I can't help you out.

--
Sue








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