RAID 5

[NYR]

Hello,

I am thinking about configuring RAID5 on my W2K server using W2K server diskmanager. I have read that I will need 3 disks for the array and another for the OS...Is this right? Is there a way to do this using only 3 disks with the OS on one of them? What is the proper way to implement this?
Also, if there is a way to use only 3 disks, could someone please explain or point me to some good articles?

Thanks

 

[Jasen]

Disk manager creates a software raid. The OS still needs to boot before the raid is recognized and setup, so it cannot be on the raid drives. What you want, it looks like, is a hardware RAID, so that it is transparent to the OS. For this you need a special card, depending whether you want IDE or SCSI. Don't know how "production" this server is but I know Adaptec makes a couple decent mid-line IDE raid controllers. ________
Remember, you're unique... just like everyone else.

 

[devastator]

On hardware RAID you can use only 3 disks, with 2 partitions.

That is how we have our TS configured only because its and old Compaq Proliant Server and to get another 9.1 or 18.2gb drive for it costs well over $1000.00 and its just not worth it.

I would recommend however to have 3 hard drives in a RAID 5 and 2 hard drives in a RAID 1 configuration, or at least one for the system and boot files.

Our current setup on our main server is 3 18.2gb in hardware RAID5 1 more as a hot spare, 2 9.1gb in hardware RAID 1 (disk mirroring) and 1 9.1gb hard drive for our 4.0gb for the paging file only.

Dev

 

[NYR]

Thanks,

One other question for Devastor. On your setup, you said you have 3 drives in RAID5 and 2 in RAID1..where do you keep the system and boot files? RAID5 or RAID1? or elsewhere??
Also, I only have 3 disks, 36GB each that I will use with a hardware controller for RAID, so I will need the OS on one of them. That should still work..yes?
Thanks Again

 

[devastator]

On our main server with the RAID 5 and 1 I keep all the system and boot files on the mirrored / boot drive.

All shared files / network shares I put on the RAID 5 as well as the print spoolers.

On the extra additional drive I put the paging file on it all by itself, as recommended.

Depending on the Server and RAID controller software I was able to boot into a RAID configuration, configure the RAID 5, reboot and load Windows 2000 from the CD where I formatted / created partitions.

Dev

 

[richgill]

NYR,

If you have only 3 disks there is nothing wrong with creating a RAID5 set for the OS, Data and Page File. Three 36GB disks gives you about 70GB (in RAID5) with which you could create 3 partitions for the OS, Data & Page File. Using mirrored drives for the OS and a single drive for the Page File maximizes performance and redundancy - but does require more disks.

 

[NYR]

Thanks again for all the help. One other thing..how do you move the page/swap file from one disk to another? Could someone please explain or point me to an article?
Thanks

 

[devastator]

Right click on My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Performance Option, Change.


Dev

 

[GlenJohnson]

Just an FYI. MS told me that if I need to troubleshoot, I'll need to move the page file back. It doesn't hurt to move it, just keep in mind what MS told me. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen@nellsgiftbox.com


"The fruit derived from labor is the sweetest of all pleasures."
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