RAID Setup

Hello

I am setting up a new file server with removable SATAII drives hotswap for backup and primary system protection.

My setup thus far is using a TYAN 3870g2nr dual socket 940 main server board.

Two AMD Opteron D/C 265 italy 1.8 cpu,s.

Two W/D HDD 80 GIG Caviar Se 7200 RPM SataII drives
Two W/D HDD 250Gb Caviar Se16 7200 RPM SataII drives.

4 I-Star Military Type Hotswap drive trays and enclosures.

My Board supports SATA raid 0,1,5 built in

I have some knowledge of RAID but its not hands on so I need to know If I can have the two 80 Gb drives on a seperate array then the two 250 Gb.

The 250 Gb are file storage and the two 80 Gb are the system os and settings.

Any suggestions or help are so appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Yes, you should be able to have 2 seperate arrays (we have several machines with more than 1 array), although I would check with the RAID controller manufacturer to confirm. Do you have a make/model?

 

This boards manufacturer states it running onboard sata 150 only with integrated controller so I will have to purchase the card to get 3Gbs hdd to work but does this mean to run seperate raid arrays I will need seperate cards.

 

Nah, a single controller is typically capable of handling more than one array.

 

Well thats a relief this thing is getting expensive but having the future expandability is a must these days but I still havent decided on an OS yet
hopefully I wont be dissapointed with my decision those server opps are not cheap.

 

Linux is!

 

Your right but I have also found out cheap dont imply simple and windows clients are hatefull when working with there brother I cant imagine how they would be with a rival like linux however every instructor I ever had say the unix kernel is the most stable but requires knowledge and commitment.