Server plans: will this work

J

jadawgis732

Gawd
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Messages
536
My server (Optiplex gx520 running WHS 2003) has only two sata ports. I am planning on getting this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124017
and adding a 750GB WD Green, a 1TB WD Green and a 1.5 TB WD Green. The 750GB will have two partitions: a 250GB for OS and 500GB for storage. That would total 500GB+1TB+1.5TB=3TB for storage. I will use folder duplication to make 1.5TB effective storage with a redundancy, but if possible, I would prefer a software RAID solution using RAID 5, for 2TB effective. Which would be better? Also will I need to have a UPS to prevent outages from inducing degradation of the RAID array?
 
Well a RAID 5 is not a good idea here as all forms of Raid is determined by the smallest drive available. Outside of Matrix RAID, you're limted by the physical size of the smallet disk, the 750GB. So that 1.5 TB would only have 750GB available, etc.
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
jadawgis732 said:
running WHS 2003
Click to expand...

This is where you lost me. WHS is a scripted implementation of 2003, yes...but no one calls it this. Did you mean WHS or SBS or 2k3 proper? If it's WHS, I second Homer's recommendation. Let it do it's thing, and set up duplication where needed.
 
What?

Forget RAID, its not going to work for you in that way.
Just install WHS and put your disk in, and enable duplication.
 
okay, you guys made a believer out of me. I'll take you're advice (think dog with tail between it's legs, because he realizes his 3tb just became 1.5) (Oh and don't forget 1.5 TB isn't really 1.5TB, it's 1.396TB. what if I have some movies I don't care to backup and some I want to have backups of? Must they be separated by folder?
 
Finally what's the chances (general) that one of my hard drives would fail (lets pretend I just have one for simplicity's sake) and I took fairly good care of it (42c in the server box thanks to only one 80mm case fan and a passively cooled p4) which I know is well within bounds. Next let's say I ul/dl ~ 8GB per day combined, what are the chances my WD10EADS fails within 3 years. 1-5 1 being very low chance and 5 being pretty damn likely? I know it seems like a stupid question but I'd like to have an idea of my risk before deciding on adding a layer of redundancy and in the process cutting my storage in half. (certain things will be backed up no matter what, doc's school work, music collection which is sentimental because most of it went from the CD i purchased to my MP3 lib and other stuff but I'll just achieve that by storing it on 2 different PC's...)
 
jadawgis732 said:
Finally what's the chances (general) that one of my hard drives would fail (lets pretend I just have one for simplicity's sake) and I took fairly good care of it (42c in the server box thanks to only one 80mm case fan and a passively cooled p4) which I know is well within bounds. Next let's say I ul/dl ~ 8GB per day combined, what are the chances my WD10EADS fails within 3 years. 1-5 1 being very low chance and 5 being pretty damn likely? I know it seems like a stupid question but I'd like to have an idea of my risk before deciding on adding a layer of redundancy and in the process cutting my storage in half. (certain things will be backed up no matter what, doc's school work, music collection which is sentimental because most of it went from the CD i purchased to my MP3 lib and other stuff but I'll just achieve that by storing it on 2 different PC's...)
Click to expand...

The real answer: It is random. Even if you were to take good care of the drives (good cooling, good quality PSU, clean power, etc), there's always a chance that the drive could die. AFAIK, there's no formula that determines when or the likelihood of a dead drive. It's pretty much random when a drive dies.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top