[ale] RAID, IDE and/or Linux

Jeff Hubbs hbbs at attbi.com
Sat Feb 16 21:05:52 EST 2002



I have yet to see that implemented (RAID 1, not 10 or 0+1).  Even if it were,
I can only see loss of performance and space efficiency for almost no extra
benefit.  Yeah, if you couldn't take a performance hit upon drive loss or
of you need to be able to absorb the loss of more than one drive, but really...1:4
space efficiency??  Maybe if I were setting up a server in a jungle 200 miles
away that can only be gotten to with pack mules and a machete...



- Jeff.

Denny Chambers wrote:
3C6F0A96.5482B350 at snapserver.com">
  You can setup more than two drives in a RAID1/Mirror. I have actuallysetup up a 4 way mirror.Keith Hopkins wrote:
  
    David Corbin wrote:
    
      I'm contemplating setting up a "big file server" to act as storage forall my "personal critical data".  This will include source control forhome projects, digital pictures, ripped CDs, digitized audio, andperhaps even some video eventually - other stuff too, I'm sure..Naturally, the server will run Linux. Because of the great volume ofdata that will not be replaceable, I'm contemplating a RAID solution.This is for "backup and reliability", rather than for "speed".  I am notso silly to think that this server will survive the rest of my life asis, however it is my intent that this be a place to be data I wish tokeep the rest of my life.   However, I don't want to spend "lots" oftime administrating it, or doing maintenance every week.The question for you folks is, what experiences do you have with Linuxdoing RAID, or an IDE RAID controller that I can benefit from?One thing I'm concerned about, is what
 happens when 2 years down theroad, one drive fails-  First, do I find out about this failureimmediately.  Second, what if I can't find an exact replacement for thedead drive.There is an implied issue here.  If this data is that important to me,I'll want to periodically make a copy for offsite.  To me, the best wayto do that these days is on another drive.  Is there a viable RAIDsolution that will let me do this?  Can I have "3 equal drives", one ofwhich is only there occaisionally?Thoughts and comments please.
      
      If you are going IDE, and wanted the max in safety, I would suggest using TWO pci-ide controllers (non-RAID, or RAID0/striping), and use software RAID1/mirroring across them.  That way you can protect yourself and have any easy replacement in the case of a controller failure.I've not seen seen any setups of "3 equal drives" in Linux (I have in HP-UX), but IIRC from reading the md-config docs it doesn't seem to support more than 2 disks for mirroring.another note:http://unthought.net/Software-RAID.HOWTO/3.2 Hot SwapThis has been a hot topic on the linux-kernel list for some time. Although hot swapping of drives is supported to some extent, it is still not something one can do easily.Hot-swapping IDE drivesDon't ! IDE doesn't handle hot swapping at all.....Lost in Tokyo,   Keith---This message has been sent through the 
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