Want to setup RAID system for the 1st time

[[v]@bans]

I want to create a file server system for the simple purpose just storing stuff. I've heard a raid is the way to go with this so I'm looking at some low cost options. I understand that I just need drives that are the same raid controllers and a base system like a pentium 3 or somethiung cause I can find that for like $100 or something. and aside from OS its only gonna sharing and storing files.

Whats a good RAID controller?
WINDOWS 2k vs Linux, which is better?
is it possible to hand all this using a laptop or something?
Any other information?
Tips?


Thanks guys..

[[v]@bans]

no one?

[masher]

Raid is "the way to go" only if you want to prevent downtime with a Raid-1, 5, 6, or 10 based solution. Raid 0 is a poor choice for file servers...independent disks will perform better.

As for Win2K vs. Linux, if you're not familiar with Linux at all, I'd recommend Windows. Once setup, they'll be basically indistinguishable from the outside...there isn't much to a file server.

[drizzt81]

@bans']IWhats a good RAID controller?

what raid level are you aiming for? How many disks are you going to use?

WINDOWS 2k vs Linux, which is better? do you have a copy of win2k you can use? how well versed are you in linux?

is it possible to hand all this using a laptop or something? while a laptop can certainly handle most of this, you may quickly run into limitations with respect to the number of drives you can use and the lack of PCI slots will certainly make it rather difficult to install a RAID controller.

Any other information?
Tips?

If you analyze your need first, you will make a much better decision about what you need to build! Maybe you can say what you want to store and how much storage you estimate you will need. Tell us whether you are more constrained by time spent on the project or by money, i.e. are you a student that has more time on his/ her hands, but less money, or an investment banker with tons of cash in the bank, but virtually no free time, since you work 100 hours/ wk?




Thanks guys..[/QUOTE]

[Crosshairs]

If you analyze your need first, you will make a much better decision about what you need to build! Maybe you can say what you want to store and how much storage you estimate you will need. Tell us whether you are more constrained by time spent on the project or by money...




One of the best written and well thought out replys I have seen on this subject in quite some time....
Well played sir :)

[[v]@bans]

what raid level are you aiming for? How many disks are you going to use?

Well the goal of the file server would be somewhere between 1-2 terabytes. Spread out between 4 or 5 drives. Saw new Hitachi 500 gig dirves. Gonna wait a bit so maybe by the time I feel ready to go for it, the price will be be down. And a 60 gig drive for the system. Since my level of setitng up a raid is ZERO I'm not really sure


Do you have a copy of win2k you can use? how well versed are you in linux?


1st question: Yes and 2nd ques: so-so. Most of my linux is web managment via command line of a dedicated server. Never set one up though..

While a laptop can certainly handle most of this, you may quickly run into limitations with respect to the number of drives you can use and the lack of PCI slots will certainly make it rather difficult to install a RAID controller.

Noted.

If you analyze your need first, you will make a much better decision about what you need to build! Maybe you can say what you want to store and how much storage you estimate you will need. Tell us whether you are more constrained by time spent on the project or by money, i.e. are you a student that has more time on his/ her hands, but less money, or an investment banker with tons of cash in the bank, but virtually no free time, since you work 100 hours/ wk?

I work, smoke <///>~ and play WoW. I have nothing but time. Money won't be a problem either. I think anyway :-P

[unhappy_mage]

@bans']Well the goal of the file server would be somewhere between 1-2 terabytes. Spread out between 4 or 5 drives. Saw new Hitachi 500 gig dirves. Gonna wait a bit so maybe by the time I feel ready to go for it, the price will be be down. And a 60 gig drive for the system. Since my level of setitng up a raid is ZERO I'm not really sure

1st question: Yes and 2nd ques: so-so. Most of my linux is web managment via command line of a dedicated server. Never set one up though..
500 gb disks are going to be expensive at least until they're not the newest thing on the market. Good decision on the single boot disk; it'll simplify a *lot* of things.

Since you appear to have the time on your hands to figure this stuff out, I'd say go for linux. You have some concept of the file structure, commands to do normal stuff, and that kind of thing. Since adding a Raid array is going to involve some abnormal stuff on any system, you might as well go with something new to expand your horizons.

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/150072 (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&id=150072&tm=33)http://www.hardfolding.com/utag.php/mem/1392.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=36&id=1392)

[drizzt81]

One of the best written and well thought out replys I have seen on this subject in quite some time....
Well played sir :)

thanks.

500 gb disks are going to be expensive at least until they're not the newest thing on the market. Good decision on the single boot disk; it'll simplify a *lot* of things.

Since you appear to have the time on your hands to figure this stuff out, I'd say go for linux. You have some concept of the file structure, commands to do normal stuff, and that kind of thing. Since adding a Raid array is going to involve some abnormal stuff on any system, you might as well go with something new to expand your horizons.


I concur. With a linux implementation, you "should" be able to get away with a bunch of cheaper controllers rather than having to buy an expensive dedicated hardware one. Since you are aiming for a lot of storage, you will likely want to consider RAID-5.

I believe that U_M had posted a couple of ideas on how to set this up beforehand, so I will let you do the searching or him the talking, since Me + Linux = disaster :D

Bottom line is that you may want to consider some cheaper drives. Unless you think that you will need to grow the array a _lot_ later, which may be a more involved thing and I do not know if Linux software Raid 5(6) supports OCE.

[[v]@bans]

Any brand name controllers you can reccomenned? and aside from searching the forums where cna I find some good tuts about setting up a raid lvl 5..

[drizzt81]

@bans']Any brand name controllers you can reccomenned? and aside from searching the forums where cna I find some good tuts about setting up a raid lvl 5..
Well, if you are looking for a 'higher end' model, i heard good things about Areca controllers. They come in PCI-X and PCIe configurations. A couple of years back the RaidCore (now Broadcom) controllers were "the sh1t" for SATA. All along 3Ware has produced rather nice models too.

On the lower end, look for either Promise or Highpoint Tech...

If you do go the linux route, you can save some serious cash on the controller, since you do not need a raid controller, but just a bunch of ports...