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I originally planned on just building one RAID 6 array in my Desktop that would house System Backups, Media, VMWare Disks, and used for video encoding, with no backup solution as it would replace all disks except the System Disk (system disk would be backed up), but as I think about it more, the data I intended to put in the RAID array is semi-important so an array failure would suck, I really do not want the power strain put on one Power Supply (single point of failure), and I don't want the added heat in my case.
I'm now thinking of building a smaller RAID 6 array, which I'll expand as I need it/throughout this year, housed in an external SAS enclosure, and will primarily contain Backup Data and Data that is.. "temporary". Then buy cheaper/slower disks for media and have SSDs/faster SATA disks for I/O intensive tasks and have it all backed-up to the Array. While it alleviates my concerns, it also makes things easier for my future plans (next year), of building a File/Directory/Mail server as I think the only thing I would have to do is move the RAID Card and the enclosure.
I'm hoping to get opinions, experiences, advice (both what to get and where to buy) etc. I'm a newbie, so I'll take anything as it's the only way I'll learn
Please note, current system(s) and all systems in the foreseeable future will be Windows' based.
Current (Internal) Storage:
WD 640GB 7200RPM:
(System) 249GB
(ISOs, Games, and VMs) 299GB
(Media) 381GB
Seagate 1.5TB 7200RPM
(Page/Temp Files)
(Backup, WD 640GB disk goes to this)
Hitachi 750GB 7200RPM
(More Media)
I also have some VMs on various external SATA drives that would be consolidated.
Future (Internal) Storage
SSD (that Corsair P256 is looking like a good option):
(System will go on this, games will probably move to this)
WD 640GB:
(ISOs and VMs)
(Media)
Seagate 1.5TB:
(Page/temp Files)
(Backup becomes Media storage)
Hitachi:
(More Media)
WD Raptors, SSDs, WD 2TB or Seagate 2TB Green Drives as needed or replacing other disks. I probably can go a month before I'll need a 2TB drive.. I plan on going pretty buck wild after the array is built... Been holding back for awhile.
Raid Array
Initial:
5x2TB Seagate 7200RPM SAS Drives (think it's slated for July).
Areca ARC-1680ix-12 SAS Raid Controller /w BBU and upgraded RAM (still researching the RAM).
8x3.5" External SAS Enclosure. I'm unsure of what to use but I'm looking at this or this
Which means I'll need a SAS adapter to route the internal (probably do both) to an external connector (right? because I'm not getting an expander).
Also, my main system is on a UPS and the enclosure will probably go on it too since it's barely using it's capacity.
I'm now thinking of building a smaller RAID 6 array, which I'll expand as I need it/throughout this year, housed in an external SAS enclosure, and will primarily contain Backup Data and Data that is.. "temporary". Then buy cheaper/slower disks for media and have SSDs/faster SATA disks for I/O intensive tasks and have it all backed-up to the Array. While it alleviates my concerns, it also makes things easier for my future plans (next year), of building a File/Directory/Mail server as I think the only thing I would have to do is move the RAID Card and the enclosure.
I'm hoping to get opinions, experiences, advice (both what to get and where to buy) etc. I'm a newbie, so I'll take anything as it's the only way I'll learn
Please note, current system(s) and all systems in the foreseeable future will be Windows' based.Current (Internal) Storage:
WD 640GB 7200RPM:
(System) 249GB
(ISOs, Games, and VMs) 299GB
(Media) 381GB
Seagate 1.5TB 7200RPM
(Page/Temp Files)
(Backup, WD 640GB disk goes to this)
Hitachi 750GB 7200RPM
(More Media)
I also have some VMs on various external SATA drives that would be consolidated.
Future (Internal) Storage
SSD (that Corsair P256 is looking like a good option):
(System will go on this, games will probably move to this)
WD 640GB:
(ISOs and VMs)
(Media)
Seagate 1.5TB:
(Page/temp Files)
(Backup becomes Media storage)
Hitachi:
(More Media)
WD Raptors, SSDs, WD 2TB or Seagate 2TB Green Drives as needed or replacing other disks. I probably can go a month before I'll need a 2TB drive.. I plan on going pretty buck wild after the array is built... Been holding back for awhile.
Raid Array
Initial:
5x2TB Seagate 7200RPM SAS Drives (think it's slated for July).
Areca ARC-1680ix-12 SAS Raid Controller /w BBU and upgraded RAM (still researching the RAM).
8x3.5" External SAS Enclosure. I'm unsure of what to use but I'm looking at this or this
Which means I'll need a SAS adapter to route the internal (probably do both) to an external connector (right? because I'm not getting an expander).
Also, my main system is on a UPS and the enclosure will probably go on it too since it's barely using it's capacity.
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