I want to build a media/backup/etc... server

LeperousDust · 23-09-2007, 23:56

I've got access to general hardware, P4C plus few gig of memory, looooads of hard drives.

I wan't expandable RAID 5 storage for the network acting like a NAS.

I'd rather use windows of somesort, as even if i use these easily to use linux flavours i know when it goes tits up i wont be able to recover anything...

So is there any third part software i can run through a windows environment that takes over 4 drives and runs RAID5 on them as a mapped drive? But is also expandable?

I'd rather use Windows Home Server, but since i've got 4 (or 5 i cant remember) 400g drives laying about i want real RAID, but when i run out of room i want to be able to expand in obviously!

What should i be looking at?

Burble · 24-09-2007, 00:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeperousDust

i want real RAID

I assume by that you want a hardware RAID controller? In which case ignore all the cheapy controllers as they run the RAID is software is is nasty for eating up CPU cycles.

Mark · 24-09-2007, 00:13

Totally agree with that, though RAID 5 tends to rule out most of the cheap stuff anyway. I'm really glad I went the proper hardware route with mine, though I'm using a somewhat rare P-ATA RAID solution.

Burble · 24-09-2007, 00:16

I've seen RAID 5 offered on several el-crapo controllers lately. Not nice really since when you start arsing with parity and what not you'll be chewing up even more CPU cycles.

That said, I guess for the sort of system Alex is talking about software RAID wouldn't be the end of the world. I dislike it in general but I guess it has its uses.

LeperousDust · 24-09-2007, 00:23

Software RAID is fine guys, this PC won't be doing that much work other than serving a few files/backing up etc... i don;t want to spend any money as such on hardware...

Basically cheap as chips is on the cards here, that calls for software raid i'm afraid

Daz · 24-09-2007, 10:21

I'm not sure you'll find expandable RAID-5 in software, though I've never really looked at it, I'm with the other guys on this in that it's a bad idea. Also remember that expanding the volume is one step, and extending the file system is another - people often forget that.

Windows has software RAID built in, and 5 can be unlocked in XP with a few tweaks at your own risk etc etc

http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/11/...pen/page2.html

Of course you'll need to convert the disks to dynamic, which will shaft you if you ever want to recover on a different system.

LeperousDust · 24-09-2007, 11:24

Hmmmm

Ok bad idea, i get the point

How do i do this easily on a *nix system then? I really have no idea with them, all i want is a big NAS at worst with lots of features... Problem being is that recovering data from that maybe "easy" but i'd be just as in the dark

Daz · 24-09-2007, 11:31

Software RAID on *nix is built in to the kernel and you'll find it on all but the most basic of distro's. Typically it's just an option during setup, depends on what you go with really.

If you're worried about throwing yourself in at the deep end why not see if you can find a bargain on a decent PCI-E raid card?

Burble · 24-09-2007, 11:34

What do you mean by recovering? Do you mean from a hardware failure? RAID array going tits up? Accidental deletion?

In any case, RAID (irrespective of level) is no substitute for a backup policy. You may well be able to survive a spindle failure ot two but that's about it.

Daz · 24-09-2007, 11:35

Oh totally. I've said it a million times and I'll say it again, RAID is an availability solution. Nothing to do with backup, and it shouldn't be treated as such.

23-09-2007, 23:56	#1
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	I want to build a media/backup/etc... server I've got access to general hardware, P4C plus few gig of memory, looooads of hard drives. I wan't expandable RAID 5 storage for the network acting like a NAS. I'd rather use windows of somesort, as even if i use these easily to use linux flavours i know when it goes tits up i wont be able to recover anything... So is there any third part software i can run through a windows environment that takes over 4 drives and runs RAID5 on them as a mapped drive? But is also expandable? I'd rather use Windows Home Server, but since i've got 4 (or 5 i cant remember) 400g drives laying about i want real RAID, but when i run out of room i want to be able to expand in obviously! What should i be looking at? __________________

24-09-2007, 00:23	#5
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Software RAID is fine guys, this PC won't be doing that much work other than serving a few files/backing up etc... i don;t want to spend any money as such on hardware... Basically cheap as chips is on the cards here, that calls for software raid i'm afraid __________________

24-09-2007, 10:21	#6
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	I'm not sure you'll find expandable RAID-5 in software, though I've never really looked at it, I'm with the other guys on this in that it's a bad idea. Also remember that expanding the volume is one step, and extending the file system is another - people often forget that. Windows has software RAID built in, and 5 can be unlocked in XP with a few tweaks at your own risk etc etc http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/11/...pen/page2.html Of course you'll need to convert the disks to dynamic, which will shaft you if you ever want to recover on a different system. __________________ apt-get moo

24-09-2007, 11:24	#7
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Hmmmm Ok bad idea, i get the point How do i do this easily on a *nix system then? I really have no idea with them, all i want is a big NAS at worst with lots of features... Problem being is that recovering data from that maybe "easy" but i'd be just as in the dark __________________

24-09-2007, 11:31	#8
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Software RAID on *nix is built in to the kernel and you'll find it on all but the most basic of distro's. Typically it's just an option during setup, depends on what you go with really. If you're worried about throwing yourself in at the deep end why not see if you can find a bargain on a decent PCI-E raid card? __________________ apt-get moo

24-09-2007, 00:13	#3
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Totally agree with that, though RAID 5 tends to rule out most of the cheap stuff anyway. I'm really glad I went the proper hardware route with mine, though I'm using a somewhat rare P-ATA RAID solution.

24-09-2007, 00:16	#4
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I've seen RAID 5 offered on several el-crapo controllers lately. Not nice really since when you start arsing with parity and what not you'll be chewing up even more CPU cycles. That said, I guess for the sort of system Alex is talking about software RAID wouldn't be the end of the world. I dislike it in general but I guess it has its uses.

24-09-2007, 11:34	#9
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	What do you mean by recovering? Do you mean from a hardware failure? RAID array going tits up? Accidental deletion? In any case, RAID (irrespective of level) is no substitute for a backup policy. You may well be able to survive a spindle failure ot two but that's about it.

24-09-2007, 11:35	#10
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Oh totally. I've said it a million times and I'll say it again, RAID is an availability solution. Nothing to do with backup, and it shouldn't be treated as such. __________________ apt-get moo