Best practice for server configuration with RAID?

[jtr8178]

I'm new to server setup with RAID configurations, so a real general question here.

What is the "best practice" for a new RAID configuration? We are setting up a server to handle our security camera system for 16 camera's, plus storage for 10 days. It takes around 700 GB for 10 days worth of storage.

We also will be using this server as a back-up Domain Controller, so we'll be running Windows Server 2008.

Is it best to just dedicate one hard drive for the OS, and then use the balance of the hard drives for the storage? Or better to throw all available hard drives into a RAID configuration and setup a seperate partition for the OS & storage?

We are looking at purchasing a ProLian DL360, which comes with a p420i/ZM RAID controller, which can do RAID 0, 1, 10, 5 or 50.

Thank you in advanced!

 

[Jay_2]

Just a quick heads up a DC should be a DC and a DVR should be a DVR, don't mix them together.

I would say a RAID 6 with SAS drives should be fine.

Have a RAID 1 for the OS on 2 disks then RAID 6 or 5 on 6 450GB 10K SAS drives with 1 drive set as a hot spare. Just get a decent RAID controller.

 

[sethmo]

Have a RAID 1 for the OS on 2 disks then RAID 6 on 6 450GB 10K SAS drives with 1 drive set as a hot spare. Just get a decent RAID controller.

This.

 

[jtr8178]

Well, I have NO back-up DC right now, so this is better than nothing.

 

[haileris]

Just a quick heads up a DC should be a DC and a DVR should be a DVR, don't mix them together.

I would say a RAID 6 with SAS drives should be fine.

Have a RAID 1 for the OS on 2 disks then RAID 6 on 6 450GB 10K SAS drives with 1 drive set as a hot spare. Just get a decent RAID controller.

Got to +1 the DC comment. I guess it depends on the org size but if at all possible do not mix DC roles with any other server role - there is too much to lose (i.e. your entire directory).

 

[GeorgeHR]

Security camera data does not need a RAID. Your software should handle any performance issues - being able to write data fast enough.

Your Domain Controller is only a backup. It does not need to be as fast as your primary machine. Keep it simple. If no RAID is fast enough to get by on, then don't have a RAID.

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You don't give much information for making reasoned comments.

If I was building a backup for a system, it would match the existing system. I would have a process to bring it on line.

If I were building a DVR of the size you require, I would have a 2TB hard drive with both the OS and data on the same drive - different partitions.

 

[Jay_2]

There is no such thing as a backup dc anymore.

 

[mwroobel]

There is no such thing as a backup dc anymore.

Well, if they are running Windows NT (there are still banks that do) then there would be a backup. After Windows 2000 all DCs are equal.

 

[Silenus]

Guys. This is a DVR for for 16 cameras. He does not need 10k RPM SAS drives, or RAID 6. AT most do nearline 7200 RPM SAS. 2 x 2TB drives in RAID 1 would be fine. SATA Raid drives would also be fine.

 

[jtr8178]

Guys. This is a DVR for for 16 cameras. He does not need 10k RPM SAS drives, or RAID 6. AT most do nearline 7200 RPM SAS. 2 x 2TB drives in RAID 1 would be fine. SATA Raid drives would also be fine.

A DVR doing 24/7 recording will be ok with SATA drives? I always thought it was best to have SAS drives in this case...

After researching and comparing prices, I agree with the 7200 RPM SAS. 10k is a bit overkill.

We have another server at a location that was put in service (before my time) that has 4 ST31000424SS 1 TB drives operating in RAID 5 to a single partition for both the OS and the storage of recording. It's been running fine for 3 years.

 

[haileris]

Well, if they are running Windows NT (there are still banks that do) then there would be a backup. After Windows 2000 all DCs are equal.

Well, kind of, there are the FSMO roles so some are still more equal than others - like communism! But I guess I am getting pedantic here