RAID5?

[Noozer]

Just curious... Can Windows do software RAID5?

I've got a Linux server here with 5x500gig hard drives in a RAID5 array. It
works OK, but I'd like to stick to one OS.

 

[smlunatick]

Just curious... Can Windows do software RAID5?

I've got a Linux server here with 5x500gig hard drives in a RAID5 array. It
works OK, but I'd like to stick to one OS.

RAID 5 is mainly based on hardware. You need to have the correct
drivers for the RAID controller card. However, RAID 5 is mostly used
for "server" based operating systems, which XP is not. I do not
believe you will find drivers for XP.

 

[Andrew E.]

Windows works with RAID 5,for more info on RAID & performance,go
to:http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/winntas/maintain/ntserv.mspx

 

[Massimo]

Just curious... Can Windows do software RAID5?

Only with the server versions (2000/2003).


Massimo

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

Just curious... Can Windows do software RAID5?

I've got a Linux server here with 5x500gig hard drives in a RAID5 array.
It works OK, but I'd like to stick to one OS.

RAID-5 uses a lot of processing power, so your CPU is going to take a big
hit if using software RAID. RAID-5 is usually used on servers, with true
hardware controllers (ie. ones with their own CPU) which are very expensive.

UK -
http://www.google.co.uk/products?so...&rlz=1T4GZEZ_en-GBGB248GB248&q=Adaptec+RAID-5

US -
http://www.google.com/products?sour...&rlz=1T4GZEZ_en-GBGB248GB248&q=Adaptec+RAID-5

ss.

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

Only with the server versions (2000/2003).

It's in XP as well, but you have to hack to enable it.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/11/19/using_windowsxp_to_make_raid_5_happen/

ss.

 

[Noozer]

RAID-5 uses a lot of processing power, so your CPU is going to take a big
hit if using software RAID. RAID-5 is usually used on servers, with true
hardware controllers (ie. ones with their own CPU) which are very
expensive.

Well, the CPU is a P4 running just over 3Ghz. The PC is doing NOTHING except
serving files to the LAN and a 3 user FTP server.

Considering that we already have a 2.5 Terabyte array (2TB usable) running
under Linux, I don't think performance will be notibly different under
Windows.

 

[smlunatick]

It's in XP as well, but you have to hack to enable it.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/11/19/using_windowsxp_to_make_raid_5...

ss.

Software RAID 5 should not be considered. Most Windows XP would not
have the "extra" resources (ie: CPU speed and RAM) that would be
required to use this "software RAID 5." RAID 5 should really be set
up with a dedicated hardware RAID controller.

 

[Noozer]

Software RAID 5 should not be considered. Most Windows XP would not

have the "extra" resources (ie: CPU speed and RAM) that would be
required to use this "software RAID 5." RAID 5 should really be set
up with a dedicated hardware RAID controller.

...and when that hardware controller fails, you MUST find the same model to
have any hope of restoring your RAID array.

With software RAID5, you're using the onboard controllers, which are (for
the most part) interchangable.

 

[smlunatick]

..and when that hardware controller fails, you MUST find the same model to
have any hope of restoring your RAID array.

With software RAID5, you're using the onboard controllers, which are (for
the most part) interchangable.

Software RAID seem to usually use Dynamic DISK structutres and if the
"structures" go, the data follows.

 

[Andrew E.]

"Over the network".....Learn the proper term for RAID. (Redundant Array of
Independent Disks),in youre example,youre not running a true RAID array.

 

[DL]

In general terms the array is just a collection of disks that is visible to
win / explorer and as such can be shared / visible to any other networked PC
using the normal methods
Software raid is not something I would use, the overhead is probably to high
and may negate any stripe performance gain, if any
And if your PC fails, requireing major repairs, I'm unsure as to the method
of recovering a software raid setup