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Thread ID: 79499	2007-05-22 00:11:00	Servers... files... RAID...	The_End_Of_Reality (334)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
551911	2007-05-22 00:11:00	Hey Peeps :D I am setting up a file server, nothing fancy, just the basics, I am considering using RAID 1 so the data will be safe if a drive fails, do you think it is worth it? I will most likely be getting 2 400GB drives at this stage and this (ascent.co.nz) RAID adapter, has anyone had experience with this brand/model before? If a drive fails, is the array still readable with only one drive? (RAID 1) What happens if the RAID adapter fails... is the data readable in any PC? Or even another option is no RAID but duplicate the important folders that I want onto the second drive and then the data is readable in any SATA PC and the RAID controller will have no impact to the data integrity. Those are my thoughts, what are yours? (comment on these and/or any new ones you might have :)) Thanks :)	The_End_Of_Reality (334)
551912	2007-05-22 06:49:00	RAID 1 is kinda of a waste, if the budget can stretch consider RAID 5. I've got two PATA 120gb in RAID 0 and they've been running fine for the last 2-3years no hassles, but if i was to do it again I'd probably just use JBOD. No personal experience with RAID 1 but i figure your more likely to accidentally delete the files than one drive is to fail. That ST Labs controller is pretty cheap and basic but would do what you want comfortably	Pete O'Neil (6584)
551913	2007-05-22 07:51:00	At this stage it can't... (at this stage I can't even get the HDDs :blush: I am just thinking ahead of what I am going to do so everything is considered) I read somewhere that the Seagate HDDs have a 0.34% per year chance of failure... RAID 5 would be good, but the controllers seem rather expensive... what about software RAID? and what happens if I need to reinstall the OS with the software RAID? I am going to keep the OS on a 40GB IDE HDD for the record What about just having the HDDs in there as normal drives (no RAID) and having a script to (initially) copy folders that I select and have them updated every day or so? or would that be getting too hard to setup?	The_End_Of_Reality (334)
551914	2007-05-22 08:01:00	Is the data you intend to store really that important that you need to back it up? It seems such as waste to have a double up of all your data. Perhaps a 2.5" drive in a external enclosure would be a better option, and just use it to back up the really important stuff.	Pete O'Neil (6584)
551915	2007-05-22 08:33:00	I have had a drive with everything on it die before and it is just the thought of loosing everything that I don't like... I know HDDs are really reliable these days, but it still doesn't get rid of that feeling... I do have a 40GB 2.5" drive that is already used for backups :p Leaving a HDD running 24/7 is that OK for it? I guess it would really be cheaper and it is not like it is life or death type data...	The_End_Of_Reality (334)
551916	2007-05-22 11:46:00	Do you wish to build a server or are you looking for network storage?, how about a NAS box, single or multiple drives without any server hassles?	SolMiester (139)
551917	2007-05-22 21:22:00	I have thought about NAS, but then there is not much learning in it if you get my drift, I would like to learn how to run Windows Server 2003 and have that running DHCP, WINS, VPN, DNS and a Domain Controller (at this stage!). I have got the server (Spare PC) (Athlon XP 1700, 512MB RAM) and a copy of Windows Server 2003 so I am all set :p	The_End_Of_Reality (334)
551918	2007-05-23 03:51:00	Have you thought of image backups or using a HDD as a cartridge backup system? The problem with mirrors is, if there is an error, it gets copied both places. I think frequent backups onto a removeable disk are safer.	Enigmur (10547)
551919	2007-05-23 05:27:00	I am most likely going to have image backups of the clients, not the actual server or its data	The_End_Of_Reality (334)
551920	2007-05-23 12:15:00	Some things to consider, W2k3 svr has the option to use software raid but performance hit is 3-5% CPU. (Under Disk management make sure that the disks are dynamic then left click 1st HDD then ctrl click 2nd disk and right click, select raid options.) Learning Active Directory (AD) is great, but if you have a desktop pc that is joined to the domain, and the server dies (without backup) it is a pain in the a** to convert to a new domain, (need to migrate user profile remove pc from old domain and rejoin to new domain even if given the exact same name because of SSID, export email to pst if using exchange, blah, blah). if nothing else run NTBackup and select system state, and backup to the 2x 400gb hdd, (typiaclly 1.5GB with windows and 10 users). If you have the option run Virtual server install a 2nd server 2k3 install as a second domain controller and that gives AD the get out of jail free card that you would need in a learning environment. An excellent alternative is Windows small business server (you can ask MS for free disks 180day trial) this will give you something to work with and really get your hands dirty. (Built in 5 user license, 5 user outlook 2003 license shared calanders, exchange email with POP connector, using xtra's basic email account with 5 aliases you can point each alias to a different user in exchange , sharepoint server, remote web work place, but wait theres more...) I could help with learning over this forum if needed. I will check back tomorrow at some stage. WH Checked raid card and there is no specific mention of w2k3, even though wxp drivers normally work shell out for one that is certified with w2k3. a lot of people say that w2k3 is not stable enough for their requirements, but make sure that all components are on MS HCL and you will get rock solid stability. also there are jumpers on the card that enable either the external sata ports or the 3rd and 4th internal ports to work because there is a total of 6 ports on the board,	wayneh (12284)
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