[RAID] New to this.

S

Sesheron

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 30, 2004
Messages
201
I have been using computers for a long time. Fact. I have intimate knowledge of how RAID would help me. False.

So that being said, here is my current setup.
::Insert decent to high end components here::
80 GB Seagate drive that my OS runs on (Vista)
320 GB Seagate drive that is used for data storage.

The data drive is now full (or close to it) and I need to expand. But I don't want to deal with two separate partitions for my Data. That would get confusing when I eventually add a third drive. So from what I understand, I can either use Raid 0 or Raid 5 to make the two hard drives appear as one partition.

Now for the questions.
Will I have to find temporary storage for the data currently on the Data drive, and eventually copy it all back?
My motherboard is fairly new ASUS, how do I tell if it has built in RAID controller, or should I go with the software raid that I hear about?
Performance isn't an issue since the most that happens on it is the playing of music or movies.

So basically, can I extend my current data partition to a new drive and how do I determine what kind of controller to use?
 
going from any single drive to any level of RAID will require you to wipe the current contents of the existing disk. You can check your motherboards RAID capability by whacking the model # into google, and getting the specs on it.

Your questions:

#1 - Yes, your existing drive will get wiped in the array creation. I'd suggest actually buying 2x new drives of the same model #, and setting up the RAID, and then copying your data over, but it's up to you.

#2 - see previous recommendation on looking up your board specs. you can also go to www.asustek.com, but Google is probably easier. Onboard RAID actually is software RAID. the only hardware RAID that you'll find is from an add-in board with an ASIC on it. If you're going to go that route, and want a decent card, expect them to start around $200 new, and go up rapidly as more features are added to the controller.

#3 - Actually, yes, you can. You can use Disk Manager in Windows to expand a current volume by mapping a folder from the second drive to the first one. I don't recommend this though, as a general rule. It will get you by in a pinch, but you don't want to constantly run like this. And it's not RAID.
 
Sesheron said:
Will I have to find temporary storage for the data currently on the Data drive, and eventually copy it all back?
Click to expand...
Yes. You will have to find a place to put your data until you set up any kind of RAID array from a simple volume. The process fundamentally changes how your controller handles your disks in your array, any kind of existing file structure and data would need to be formatted as a result of a new RAID array creation.

Sesheron said:
My motherboard is fairly new ASUS, how do I tell if it has built in RAID controller, or should I go with the software raid that I hear about?
Click to expand...
Well, you probably don't have true "hardware" RAID to speak of, but rather, hardware-assisted software RAID in which your Southbridge (depending on your motherboard model and chipset, telling us would probably tell us instantly if your motherboard has a RAID controller or not). Software RAID is also another solution, though that would make you dependent on your OS and if you were to change OS systems, that array would not work as a result. It also leaves you open to data corruption as a result of OS bugs or OS corruption due to user error or virus attack.

Sesheron said:
So basically, can I extend my current data partition to a new drive and how do I determine what kind of controller to use?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, no. RAID is a whole different ballgame when it comes to hard disk storage methodology, and would require you to back up your data temporarily as a result.
 
Thanks for the methodical reply guys. Hmm. Needing more storage is a must. That much is obvious. I may just break down and make movies their own seperate hard drive. I don't increase the Data volume fast enough to justify just going and buying a Terrabyte's worth of space right now. I really only need another 300 GB or so.

What are your opinions on the matter? While it is easy just to throw movies to their own drive, that does make my data setup a tad ugly.

I have a laptop with 250GB hard drive, and a 80GB USB drive, so having a place to throw stuff wouldn't be an issue.

For reference, my motherboard is of this flavor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131013
 
Agreed. For now, the only set of data that is making me get a new drive is the Movies folder. So for now I may just do a separate drive for that. But once other folders like Apps, Backup, and Music get to where they need a drive of their own, I will convert to RAID.

Thanks for all the info and suggestions guys.
 
Do you have more than one system that you are sharing data with, such as your movies or music? (I have 7 comps that I share data with.)

A simple solution that I use is a Network Attached Storage (NAS BOX) unit that has 2 500 gig drives in a RAID 1 setup. (I backup important data to 2 external drives.)

Unless you really like working with complex drive setups, I recommend getting a single large drive instead of a Raid, especially RAID 0, setup.

If you are currently filling up a 320 drive, I would go with at least a 750 gig drive, but why not spend a little more and get the TB drive. You will be glad you did in a couple of years. Just move all of your data to the new drive, and get a $ 30 external drive enclosure and turn your 320 drive into an external USB/Firewire drive. Use it to backup your important or hard to retrieve data.

Don
 
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