OS or Data on Sata Raid 0 array?

[Mediahead]

I have the following hardware spec:

Asus P4C800-E mobo
2x Raptor 76GB SATA drives
1x Western Digital 80GB SATA
Windows XP Pro

I'd like to set my Raptors up in a RAID 0 stripeset and retain my WD drive
using an IDE adaptor.

I'd like to segregate my OS/Apps from my data. I'm wondering, should the
OS/Apps go on the Raptor RAID array or the standalone WD? I can see the
cost/benefit of each approach - if the OS and apps are on the array, they
may operate faster, but all of the data that they would be accessing would
be on the slower standalone disk.

I use my computer primarily for software development (heavy Visual Studio,
IIS and SQL Server usage), and secondarily for gaming.

Appreciate any opinions.

MH

 

[Ron Reaugh]

I have the following hardware spec:

Asus P4C800-E mobo
2x Raptor 76GB SATA drives
1x Western Digital 80GB SATA
Windows XP Pro

I'd like to set my Raptors up in a RAID 0 stripeset and retain my WD drive
using an IDE adaptor.

I'd like to segregate my OS/Apps from my data.
Why?

I'm wondering, should the
OS/Apps go on the Raptor RAID array or the standalone WD? I can see the
cost/benefit of each approach - if the OS and apps are on the array, they
may operate faster, but all of the data that they would be accessing would
be on the slower standalone disk.

So put all on the RAID 0 array.

 

[Lil' Dave]

I see the dilemma. Keeping data separate from OS/App on different physical
hard drives is a different choice. Can see, in your case, its a tough call.

 

[Odie Ferrous]

Why?

Simple, simple.

In case you want to reformat and reinstall the OS - all on the same
partition is easy.

It's also generally easier to manage data on a separate drive /
partition.

Valid question.

Odie

 

[Odie Ferrous]

I have the following hardware spec:

Asus P4C800-E mobo
2x Raptor 76GB SATA drives
1x Western Digital 80GB SATA
Windows XP Pro

I'd like to set my Raptors up in a RAID 0 stripeset and retain my WD drive
using an IDE adaptor.

I'd like to segregate my OS/Apps from my data. I'm wondering, should the
OS/Apps go on the Raptor RAID array or the standalone WD? I can see the
cost/benefit of each approach - if the OS and apps are on the array, they
may operate faster, but all of the data that they would be accessing would
be on the slower standalone disk.

I use my computer primarily for software development (heavy Visual Studio,
IIS and SQL Server usage), and secondarily for gaming.

Appreciate any opinions.

MH

Good idea - ideal to have os/apps on raid partition. Not a problem to
have data there to, since once the apps are loaded they should remain
cached in memory. Ditto with the data, but the downside is you need
plenty (1GB PLUS) or memory.

Suggest you experiment for yourself - this group is notorious for
conflicting opinions.

Give it 20 minutes or so....


Odie

 

[Mediahead]

Asus P4C800-E mobo

Why?

Segregating OS and apps from data in different partions is a common way of
managing disks so that the OS partition can be
formatted/reinstalled/upgraded independently of the data partition.
Reinstalling the OS quickly and getting back to work quickly is a key
requirement for me. I'm a software developer, and I often have the need to
restore my system to a "fresh" state, so this 2-partition strategy works
well for me.

Also, in the case of a RAID 0, a 3 disk (2 logical disk) setup may mitigate
the increased risk in using RAID 0, since RAID 0 increases risk of data loss
by having two points of possible failure for the array. In the event of
disk failure (or just a bad write) in the RAID, whatever is not on the RAID
would likely be unaffected.

Again, my question is: Should the RAID 0 array be used for OS/apps or data?

 

[Arno Wagner]

Segregating OS and apps from data in different partions is a common way of
managing disks so that the OS partition can be
formatted/reinstalled/upgraded independently of the data partition.
Reinstalling the OS quickly and getting back to work quickly is a key
requirement for me. I'm a software developer, and I often have the need to
restore my system to a "fresh" state, so this 2-partition strategy works
well for me.

Also, in the case of a RAID 0, a 3 disk (2 logical disk) setup may mitigate
the increased risk in using RAID 0, since RAID 0 increases risk of data loss
by having two points of possible failure for the array. In the event of
disk failure (or just a bad write) in the RAID, whatever is not on the RAID
would likely be unaffected.

Again, my question is: Should the RAID 0 array be used for OS/apps or data?

If you have a lot of mostly linear larger accesses to data, and a
current backup of the data, you might benefit from putting the data
on RAID 0. If you don't have that data access pattern, best not to
use RAID0 at all, since it does not help much with more random
accesses.

If you have significant swap usage, put the swap on its own disk.
While this is a waste of space it could increase speed significantly.
You can also use one disk for OS, one for apps and one for data.

Arno

 

[Arno Wagner]

Good idea - ideal to have os/apps on raid partition. Not a problem to
have data there to, since once the apps are loaded they should remain
cached in memory. Ditto with the data, but the downside is you need
plenty (1GB PLUS) or memory.

Suggest you experiment for yourself - this group is notorious for
conflicting opinions.

True.

The advantage is that you get lots of suggestions you can try.
The disadvantage is that you might need to try lots of different
things, because you get lots of suggestions... ;-)==)

Arno

 

[David Dyer-Bennet]

Why?

Um, basic good practice? Make the backups much smaller? That kind of
thing?

 

[Shailesh Humbad]

I have the following hardware spec:

Asus P4C800-E mobo
2x Raptor 76GB SATA drives
1x Western Digital 80GB SATA
Windows XP Pro

I'd like to set my Raptors up in a RAID 0 stripeset and retain my WD drive
using an IDE adaptor.

I'd like to segregate my OS/Apps from my data. I'm wondering, should the
OS/Apps go on the Raptor RAID array or the standalone WD? I can see the
cost/benefit of each approach - if the OS and apps are on the array, they
may operate faster, but all of the data that they would be accessing would
be on the slower standalone disk.

I use my computer primarily for software development (heavy Visual Studio,
IIS and SQL Server usage), and secondarily for gaming.

Appreciate any opinions.

MH

I have a similar setup and usage pattern, with 2x RAID-0 36GB Raptor
and an 120GB WD drive. I use the 72GB RAID as C: drive for my OS,
apps, few games, and data. I use the spare D: drive for full backups
of C: and large, temporary files like movies, ISOs, etc. Luckily,
everything I need, including a few games, fits in 30-50 gigs. I
actively delete files I no longer need to keep everything trim.

 

[Ron Reaugh]

Segregating OS and apps from data in different partions is a common way of
managing disks so that the OS partition can be
formatted/reinstalled/upgraded independently of the data partition.
Reinstalling the OS quickly and getting back to work quickly is a key
requirement for me. I'm a software developer, and I often have the need to
restore my system to a "fresh" state, so this 2-partition strategy works
well for me.

Also, in the case of a RAID 0, a 3 disk (2 logical disk) setup may mitigate
the increased risk in using RAID 0, since RAID 0 increases risk of data loss
by having two points of possible failure for the array. In the event of
disk failure (or just a bad write) in the RAID, whatever is not on the RAID
would likely be unaffected.

Again, my question is: Should the RAID 0 array be used for OS/apps or

data?

Both.

 

[Ron Reaugh]

I have a similar setup and usage pattern, with 2x RAID-0 36GB Raptor
and an 120GB WD drive. I use the 72GB RAID as C: drive for my OS,
apps, few games, and data. I use the spare D: drive for full backups
of C: and large, temporary files like movies, ISOs, etc. Luckily,
everything I need, including a few games, fits in 30-50 gigs. I
actively delete files I no longer need to keep everything trim.

Right, if it's frequently used then put it on the RAID 0 array. Keep good
backups. Segregation of data for backups purposes can be handled in a
number of fashions and is NOT relevant to where things live in general.
Best practice on a workstation is almost always the fastest performing
practice.

 

[chrisv]

data?

Both.

What are you going to fix your newreader, Rod^Hn? Idiot.

 

[willbill]

I have the following hardware spec:

Asus P4C800-E mobo
2x Raptor 76GB SATA drives
1x Western Digital 80GB SATA
Windows XP Pro

I'd like to set my Raptors up in a RAID 0 stripeset and retain my WD drive
using an IDE adaptor.

what i've read, that won't buy you
anything much in the way of performance
(but i don't have any experience with it)

I'd like to segregate my OS/Apps from my data. I'm wondering, should the
OS/Apps go on the Raptor RAID array or the standalone WD? I can see the
cost/benefit of each approach - if the OS and apps are on the array, they
may operate faster, but all of the data that they would be accessing would
be on the slower standalone disk.

I use my computer primarily for software development (heavy Visual Studio,
IIS and SQL Server usage), and secondarily for gaming.

Appreciate any opinions.

MH

if the issue is backup, you're still far
better off with ide drives and with
dos ghost. sata is still not ready for
prime time. ck www.newegg.com coz
5 weeks ago they had oem NSW2003 with
dos ghost on it for $20

bill

 

[Ian Roberts]

I have the following hardware spec:

Asus P4C800-E mobo
2x Raptor 76GB SATA drives
1x Western Digital 80GB SATA
Windows XP Pro

I'd like to set my Raptors up in a RAID 0 stripeset and retain my WD drive
using an IDE adaptor.

I'd like to segregate my OS/Apps from my data. I'm wondering, should the
OS/Apps go on the Raptor RAID array or the standalone WD? I can see the
cost/benefit of each approach - if the OS and apps are on the array, they
may operate faster, but all of the data that they would be accessing would
be on the slower standalone disk.

I use my computer primarily for software development (heavy Visual Studio,
IIS and SQL Server usage), and secondarily for gaming.

Appreciate any opinions.

MH

Good Question! Exactly what I was going to ask. I have a WD1200JB
partitioned C through to M. I already have OS, Apps and Data in seperate
partitions. Now thinking of replacing it with 2 x 74GB SATA Raptors in RAID0
config.

I'm still not clear whether there would be any advantage to have the discs
non RAID with OS and Apps on One drive and Data on the other. Or use RAID 0
with 3 partitions?

Sorry if its already been said - if its has then I didnt get it.

Thanks

Ian

 

[Ron Reaugh]

sata is still not ready for prime time.

Nonsense.

 

[willbill]

Nonsense.

say why

bill

 

[dg]

Again, my question is: Should the RAID 0 array be used for OS/apps or

data?

I really like the idea of OS on the RAID 0 array, and data on a RAID 5
array. This is what I do myself. On my personal machine, I figure its no
big deal to replace the RAID 0 array and reinstall windows. However the
data is VERY important and lives on a RAID 5 array (still a little worried
about having to deal with problems that may come up with that). I
periodically make a ghost image too so that replacing the RAID 0 array will
be somewhat less painful.

The paging file lives on the RAID 0 array, and that MUST make a difference,
I just checked and the pagefile is 1.5GB! I have tried adding tons of RAM
and eliminating the paging file but I seemed to have problems with that
setup-I think some software needs a paging file. I know the RAID 0 must
help the OS get its things done faster but never really properly analyzed
it. I am very happy with performance however.

In addition to the RAID 5 array for data, I have NTbackup do a nightly
backup of very important data such as my email database, my documents
folder, and other data that cannot be replaced for any amount of money. The
backup is done to a removable 120GB hard drive which is rotated with another
to a safe place. All in all, most would consider this overkill. But to me
its perfect, I am comfortable with my data.

--Dan

 

[Ron Reaugh]

data?

I really like the idea of OS on the RAID 0 array, and data on a RAID 5
array. This is what I do myself. On my personal machine, I figure its no
big deal to replace the RAID 0 array and reinstall windows. However the
data is VERY important and lives on a RAID 5 array (still a little worried
about having to deal with problems that may come up with that). I
periodically make a ghost image too so that replacing the RAID 0 array will
be somewhat less painful.

The paging file lives on the RAID 0 array, and that MUST make a

difference,

It shouldn't as you shouldn't be using it. Get enough RAM.

I just checked and the pagefile is 1.5GB! I have tried adding tons of RAM
and eliminating the paging file but I seemed to have problems with that
setup-I think some software needs a paging file.

Yes but with enough RAM it wont use the page file.