12 drive dual RAID-5 config need advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter hoverbike
  • Start date Start date
H

hoverbike

This might seem like an ultra-paranoid configuration to some but I
could use some advice.

I am going to get two raid cards that supports 6 PATA drives each. I
am going to get two of those cases that are NORMALLY used to mount
multiple cd/dvd drives for mass duplication and use it instead to
house 6 PATA drives each externally (from the PC).

So from now on I will refer to these things as follows:
PC = The computer that will house the two raid cards.
Case 1 = array of six 200g PATA drives which are powered within it's
own enclosure (has power supply).
Case 2 = Same as Case 1
RAID Card 1 = in PC
RAID Card 2 = in PC

Here is where it gets a bit sloppy. Case 1 will have 6 PATA IDE
ribbon cables leaving the case externally and entering the PC so that
it can go into Raid Card 1. Same goes with Case 2 into Raid Card 2.

Both Case 1 and Case 2 will be run in separate RAID-5 configurations.
Case 1 will appear to the PC as one drive letter and the same with
Case 2 but as a different drive letter. Neither Case 1 or Case 2 will
contain the boot/os drive. boot/OS drive will be a separate drive
inside the PC.

Case 2 will do periodic backup (maybe once a week or month) of the
entire contents of Case 1. Case 2 will have its power turned OFF in
between the periodic backups.

Why am I doing a Case 2 when I'm already running a RAID-5 with Case 1?
While RAID-5 configuration can protect data against a single drive
crashing in the array, it cannot protect against a trojan. That is
why I have Case 2.

What I need to know from some of you PC gurus is whether or not this
configuration is possible. For example, can WinXP Pro SP2 recognize a
single drive that is over 1TB. Are there any suggestions on improving
the configuration while satisfying my need to protect all data down to
the last second against a single drive crash *AND* a backup against a
trojan with data as recent as a week or month.

I would like to get this configuration within a few days o if anyone
has any inputs soon, it will be greatly appreciated.
 
You are already going to spend a bunch of money, you may as well do it right
and skip the external enclosures and PATA drives. This isn't my specialty,
but I know that what you suggest isn't the best way of doing it.

I might build a server with your 6 drive array in it, and then another
identical server. Figure out your backup scheme from there.

--Dan
 
Please keep in mind that ATA100 IDE ribbon cable usually cannot exceed the
length of 24" (between your HD to your IDE RAID controller). You will have
difficulty making your RAID setup work.



You will need something like this to make your solution make.



http://www.rackmount.com/RAID/SRAID.htm
 
If you could configure 2 arrays within that 1 enclosure linked to below, you
could backup one array to the other. However, this leaves a couple pieces
of hardware as a very critical components in your system-the external raid
device and scsi card. Two completely separate arrays would be safer, on two
different scsi controllers. I have trouble knowing when to say when, when
it comes to data storage.

--Dan
 
dg said:
If you could configure 2 arrays within that 1 enclosure linked to below, you
could backup one array to the other. However, this leaves a couple pieces
of hardware as a very critical components in your system-the external raid
device and scsi card.
Click to expand...
Two completely separate arrays would be safer,
Click to expand...

Safer from what?
 
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