The purpose of this thread is for any discussions concerning this thread:

Classroom 101: RAID Explained 

 

Nice write. It's kind of you to post this article.

Thanks :-)

I'm high on Nyquil ATM so sorry if it's infested with grammar errors. I'll get around to editing it for any typos tomorrow.

I appreciate this post. I'm leaning towards a RAID array for a new gaming machine I'm putting together, and I need good info like this. I might pelt you with a few questions as I move along in the process, if that's okay :)

 Thanks again, it's generous of you to put this info together for us.
 

beetfield:

I appreciate this post. I'm leaning towards a RAID array for a new gaming machine I'm putting together, and I need good info like this. I might pelt you with a few questions as I move along in the process, if that's okay :)

 Thanks again, it's generous of you to put this info together for us.
 

Of course! And this goes for anyone. Feel free to PM with Qs.

 

Hey root, nice name! I'm sure we can share.

Little confused, did you mean 100GB in Raid10? You have a stripe of 2x50GB=100GB, then a drive mirroring each one(2)? 

You might want to add in about BIOS raid, and its advantages and disadvantages.  

BIOS raid is actually software raid on most motherboards, and does not have a separate controller.

It's main disadvantage is that, more then likely that, the raid array will only work on that certain motherboard/chipset(that you set it up on), as each motherboard/chipset will probably have different software controllers.(not necessarily though)

It's advantages are that it's cheap('er then a PCI-e controller), and it can be used across different OS'.(can't use a Linux Software RAID setup and expect Windows to be able to read it, although I don't advocate loading Windows at all )

TheRoot:

Hey root, nice name! I'm sure we can share.

Little confused, did you mean 100GB in Raid10? You have a stripe of 2x50GB=100GB, then a drive mirroring each one(2)? 

That's RAID01. RAID10 is more resilient, but RAID01 has more storage. Both have the exactly same performance. Probably should have mentioned that, I'll edit it. Thanks. 

TheRoot:

You might want to add in about BIOS raid, and its advantages and disadvantages.  

BIOS raid is actually software raid on most motherboards, and does not have a separate controller.

It's main disadvantage is that, more then likely that, the raid array will only work on that certain motherboard/chipset(that you set it up on), as each motherboard/chipset will probably have different software controllers.(not necessarily though)

It's advantages are that it's cheap('er then a PCI-e controller), and it can be used across different OS'.(can't use a Linux Software RAID setup and expect Windows to be able to read it, although I don't advocate loading Windows at all )

Yeah, I've been meaning to getting around to breaking down the software RAIDs. It's only been recently that I've had the power to make stickies (once you edit a sticky, you have to re-sticky it).

Technically speaking, some RAID controller's are software RAIDs as well because they use the CPU/Memory on your existing board--but aren't dependent upon the OS like the mobo RAID (sort of a hybrid). And speaking of which, RAID1 will work on any mobo (it's just mirroring) but the others... well it wouldn't matter if you think about it. How would you move the array to another motherboard/chipset? I'm not aware of you being able to physically move drives to another controller without problems, so its a moot point (unless I'm wrong, of course. Have you seen this done successfully?).

Haha, yes. Your name rocks! I'm glad to meet a fellow root.

 

 

I've moved an NVRaid 0 from an M2N-e to M2N-Sli Deluxe,(570) no problems. And If I recall correctly, coming across a post somewhere, of someone claiming to move it to a M2N32-Sli(590, not sure if he was using the JMicron controller or NVraid)

 

Still a little confused about RAID 10. Everything I have read in the past(never used 10, but been looking into) pointed to, it'd still be 100GB usable in the array of 4x50GB. I'll site some links below. 

Im sorry I meant to say, in RAID 10, you have 2x50GB=50 mirrored, then apply equal drives into that array as striping(2)=100?
In RAID 01, you have 2x50GB striping, and then equal drives mirroring that?
 

http://dorm.tunkeymicket.com/raidcalc/index.php

http://www.z-a-recovery.com/art-raid-estimator.htm

http://www.acnc.com/04_01_10.html

http://aput.net/~jheiss/raid10/ 

 

Correct. You either stripe then mirror (100GB) or mirror then stripe (50GB).

The only other difference between the two is that stripe then mirror can only sustain 1 failure while the other can sustain up to two. Just edited the sticky, let me know if that doesn't convey what I just have stated.

Good to know about the physical migration. RAID0 I can see working (striping is striping--as long as the stripe depth is support I'd imagine), but RAID3,5,6 I'd be concerned about.

:edit:

I like the first link, do you mind if I include it in my sticky?

 

Isn't mine, do whatever you want with it :-)

So then the answer is then 4x50GB hdd's in RAID10 would be 100GB usable storage? You put in (50) but said Correct..

haha, sorry for the confusion, I blame it on insomnia. 

And I've been looking to get two more drives and put them in RAID10. 

TheRoot:

haha, sorry for the confusion, I blame it on insomnia.

Ain't that the truth, haha.

RAID10 (since it is mirroring the first drive first) would be 50GB usable (excluding binary conversion and file system overhead)

RAID01 (since it is striping the 2 drives first) would be 100GB usable.

To remember the difference, remember what the first number does. The second number only helps the limitation of the first. If it's 0, then what would happen typically in a RAID0 array? You get all the storage. If it's 1, then what would happen in a RAID1 array? You'd only get half the storage.

Make sense? Sorry for the confusion.

 

EDIT: I just realized I quoted the wrong one. I really need some sleep lol.

 

Also, you aren't limited to 4 drives on RAID10 / RAID01. You can do more, but it requires an even number. Not recommended of course.

 

That makes sense, just keep getting conflicted.

I was under the impression when you stripe something with matching disks, rather it be a single drive or a mirror array, you'll effectively get twice the storage(Then you would with just a single drive/mirror array) . Since each file is broken apart and split/stripped between the two drives/mirror arrays?
IE: 2x50GB drives stripped = 100GB
2x50GB(mirror of 2 drives) stripped = 100GB.

Unless I'm typing something wrong in the calculators, they're saying 100GB too.
IE: http://dorm.tunkeymicket.com/raidcalc/index.php

Drive Size: 50GB
Drive Count: 4
Nested RAID Level : 1+0(10).
Partition Count: 2

At top it displays:

 

(2 sets of 2) x 50 GiB = 100 GiB

I get the benefits over 10, as it'd be much less likely to loose both drives in a mirror, and the restore time is faster on 10, since it only has to rebuild one drive.

Edit:
Yeah, I've read a few places the "magic number" is 8. mmm, 8x 150GB Raptors.(have to be free of course,haha).

Yeah, I was doing that as well and noticed that at first. Then I realized that you have to click on "nested arrays"....

The calculator doesn't work for what ever reason. 

You really aren't getting double the storage (you can't make up storage that isn't there haha) but you are utililze both drive's storage. For mirroring, you are 'see'ing only 1 drive 'technically'

 

As for rebuilds, mirroring is completely different from parity rebuild. Mirroring is a LOT faster than parity. The 8 drive thing (the real number is 8-12 drives, finally found the article) is for RAID5.

 EDIT:

And the more drives you have in a parity array, the longer the rebuild time takes.

 

root u there??

Unfrotunately. I won't be going to bed any time soon.

You could join us at mIRC

Hahah, I don't even remember what the clients are anymore.

mIRC? What is this mIRC you speak of?

*grin*

I've been spoiled by AIM. I should probably go back to my roots.

 

IRC but mIRC, and then Game Surge, then EggXpert!!!!!!!!!!

Kunzy has a whole thread on it in suggestions and feedback. 

Haha gotcha.

Like I said, it's been a while.

Give me a few. 

 

Thanks TheRoot. I retract my statement about RAID10 and RAID01 and have modified the sticky to reflect what it should be. Funny how one little fact gone over looked can make a huge difference.

 

Ok so I am getting ready to build a new server for a small business.  They have two 500 gig hard drives that I am thinking I should set up on Raid1.  The motherboard supports this option and I can even see it in the bios.  Should I just select this, plug in both sata drives and let her go or is their some other kind of configuring I should be doing?  Both drives are Western Digital drives. 

RjBass:

Ok so I am getting ready to build a new server for a small business.  They have two 500 gig hard drives that I am thinking I should set up on Raid1.  The motherboard supports this option and I can even see it in the bios.  Should I just select this, plug in both sata drives and let her go or is their some other kind of configuring I should be doing?  Both drives are Western Digital drives. 

You should really start Your own thread for asking questions, It would be much appreciated.

 

Don't forget to mention what there storage needs will be as raid 1 will leave you with only 500GB usable. 

Bump. Changed the purpose of this thread.

RJBass, are you still needing help?