What is RAID?

[Schwartz]

Hi guys,
I have read quite a lot recently about how RAID is so awesome etc etc.... but I am not 100& what it is and how it works do you need special HDD's?

Please enlighten me
Thanks

 

[ponder]

Hi guys,
do you need special HDD's?

No.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redundant_array_of_independent_disks

 

[Drake2007]

Simply it is a strategy of using multiple drives more intelligently.
You get RAID0 to RAID5 ( and 10) which are differeing techniques to achieve degrees of redundancy.
Each level has their specific Pro's and Cons with RAID5 (disk stripping with parity across 3 or more drives)
being the most secure for your data storage.

 

[shogun]

You will need a mobo that supports it though. You could use an external RAID card... but they are very pricey. I think most mobos these days support Raid 0/1, but fewer support RAID 5 if i'm not mistaken.

 

[Drake2007]

You can do RAID in software through the OS

 

[shogun]

On the hard drive note, you will need drives of the same size. I'm running RAID 5 on 3 x 1TB drives in a desktop PC, and I only have 1.76TB effective space (due to the reduntant storage). I do however have the comfort of knowing that if any one of those drives fail, all my databases will be fine.

Basically:
RAID 0 - improved speed and no lost capacity
RAID 1 - full redundancy... Total capacity of the array equals the capacity of the smallest disk in the array
RAID 5 - full redundancy... storage capacity of the array is reduced by one disk
RAID 10 (or 1+0) - Basically RAID 0 and RAID 1


On a side note... RAID 10 is much faster than RAID 5 for small reads and writes (think databases)

 

[shogun]

Drake2007... thanks, I forgot about that option. I wouldn't want to though - more load on the CPU:/

 

[Drake2007]

Drake2007... thanks, I forgot about that option. I wouldn't want to though - more load on the CPU:/

Yeah though if it's just a file server then the CPU will handle no problem. They sit idle most of the time anyway.

 

[I am Penguin]

Hi guys,
I have read quite a lot recently about how RAID is so awesome etc etc.... but I am not 100& what it is and how it works do you need special HDD's?

Please enlighten me
Thanks

And you want to sell PC's? Interesting.

 

[shogun]

Yeah though if it's just a file server then the CPU will handle no problem. They sit idle most of the time anyway.

There is that... I'm always thinking DB servers... and load. Software RAID should be fine for a file server. Could also be fine for a desktop PC, depending on what you use it for.

 

[Sselmrah]

Drake2007... thanks, I forgot about that option. I wouldn't want to though - more load on the CPU:/

Yes, but when your raid controller hardware fails, you need to get the exact same card to fix the raid. With software you just pop the drives into a different pc.

 

[DJNgoma]

Hi guys,
I have read quite a lot recently about how RAID is so awesome etc etc.... but I am not 100& what it is and how it works do you need special HDD's?

Please enlighten me
Thanks

No.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redundant_array_of_independent_disks

Simply it is a strategy of using multiple drives more intelligently.
You get RAID0 to RAID5 ( and 10) which are differeing techniques to achieve degrees of redundancy.
Each level has their specific Pro's and Cons with RAID5 (disk stripping with parity across 3 or more drives)
being the most secure for your data storage.

You will need a mobo that supports it though. You could use an external RAID card... but they are very pricey. I think most mobos these days support Raid 0/1, but fewer support RAID 5 if i'm not mistaken.

You can do RAID in software through the OS

On the hard drive note, you will need drives of the same size. I'm running RAID 5 on 3 x 1TB drives in a desktop PC, and I only have 1.76TB effective space (due to the reduntant storage). I do however have the comfort of knowing that if any one of those drives fail, all my databases will be fine.

Basically:
RAID 0 - improved speed and no lost capacity
RAID 1 - full redundancy... Total capacity of the array equals the capacity of the smallest disk in the array
RAID 5 - full redundancy... storage capacity of the array is reduced by one disk
RAID 10 (or 1+0) - Basically RAID 0 and RAID 1


On a side note... RAID 10 is much faster than RAID 5 for small reads and writes (think databases)

Drake2007... thanks, I forgot about that option. I wouldn't want to though - more load on the CPU:/

And you want to sell PC's? Interesting.

Yeah though if it's just a file server then the CPU will handle no problem. They sit idle most of the time anyway.

There is that... I'm always thinking DB servers... and load. Software RAID should be fine for a file server. Could also be fine for a desktop PC, depending on what you use it for.

You guy are all WRONG, Raid is the stuff that you get a can that "Kills Bugs Dead". Any hard drive will do if you want the job done quicker...

Here is an explanation in layman terms.

http://gizmodo.com/5203952/giz-explains-what-a-raid-hard-drive-array-is-and-why-you-want-one

 

[Schwartz]

And you want to sell PC's? Interesting.

Why every time I ask a q on this forum there is always one guy who makes a comment like that? I might as well just make a new account for asking question or else I get hit with one of those cards!
I thought I would ask BEFORE i get asked to do something with RAID so that I dont look dumb!

Thanks all else... very interesting read

 

[LFX]

there will always b a hater wherever u go . . .

 

[I am Penguin]

Why every time I ask a q on this forum there is always one guy who makes a comment like that? I might as well just make a new account for asking question or else I get hit with one of those cards!
I thought I would ask BEFORE i get asked to do something with RAID so that I dont look dumb!

Thanks all else... very interesting read

Would you want to purchase a computer from and idiot with no Knowlwedge of computers in general?

I thought not.

Secondly MYBB are not a free training course for guys trying to run a bussiness they know nothing off.

Just my thoughts

Thirdly Arrogance will bring you NOwhere! Go read all your comments in your Free rider sales thread again.

 

[Conradl]

Stay away from software RAID, unless you only using it to store archive data (movies, MP3's etc.). If you use it for any applications, then performance will suffer (think of how the CPU spikes when launching a game - now imagine that the CPU is doing RAID calculations....)

PS - whats with all the RAID questions all of a sudden???

 

[LFX]

you have a valid point but that doesn't justify your distasteful reply, if you wanna attack someone personally then do it via pm.

Would you want to purchase a computer from and idiot with no Knowlwedge of computers in general?

I thought not.

Secondly MYBB are not a free training course for guys trying to run a bussiness they know nothing off.

Just my thoughts

Thirdly Arrogance will bring you NOwhere! Go read all your comments in your Free rider sales thread again.

 

[I am Penguin]

you have a valid point but that doesn't justify your distasteful reply, if you wanna attack someone personally then do it via pm.

I did not attack anyone, only replied to his post and his references to anyone questioning his pricing in another thread.
PS truth and facts may be distatefull to some!

 

[bekdik]

It would help if people would do a bit of research for themselves before questioning MBB. They would then be in a position to ask something more specific, which I am sure would be answered.

RTFM, then ask!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LFX]

god, you guys are going on like world of warcraft players