RAID1 - Should I implement it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RocketMan
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RocketMan

I have just purchased a new system, but have a few queries concerning
RAID.
Although I am more interested in security than speed, I am worried that
implementing RAID1 will slow down my system. Is that a valid concern? Will
my system slow down when the disks are mirroring?
My system specs are:- Athlon 64X2 4800+, ASUS A8N-SLI motherboard, 2 x
Seagate Barracuda ST3250824AS hard drives (250GB, 8MB cache, SATA2/300). Is
the RAID on the motherboard classified as hardware or software?
Is the RAID configured through the BIOS?
What is the best order to setup the system - install XP Pro, setup RAID,
partition drives?? When I partition the first drive will the second drive
automatically be partitioned?
Sorry if these questions are a bit stupid. I'm just a newbie!
I found this link in an earlier post -
http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Howto/mb/abit/kx7-333/raid1.htm. This looks very
helpful in installing RAID.
TIA for any help.

Any advice on a decent partitioning utility? I don't have a non-Symantec
version of Partition Magic (I don't like Symantec products (take over
system/memory hoggers!).
 
RocketMan said:
I have just purchased a new system, but have a few queries concerning RAID.
Although I am more interested in security than speed, I am worried that
implementing RAID1 will slow down my system. Is that a valid concern? Will my
system slow down when the disks are mirroring?
Click to expand...

RAID 1 should not slow the system down at all.

My system specs are:- Athlon 64X2 4800+, ASUS A8N-SLI motherboard, 2 x
Seagate Barracuda ST3250824AS hard drives (250GB, 8MB cache, SATA2/300). Is
the RAID on the motherboard classified as hardware or software?
Hardware.


Is the RAID configured through the BIOS?
Click to expand...

Which RAID controller do you have? The Promise "Fastrack" controller is
configured through the Ctrl-F keystroke right after the POST. Check your MoBo
and/or controller docs for details on your system.

What is the best order to setup the system - install XP Pro, setup RAID,
partition drives?? When I partition the first drive will the second drive
automatically be partitioned?
Click to expand...

Copy RAID drivers to floppy. Set up RAID. Set up boot partition. Install XP.
Complete drive partitioning.

Partitioning is part of the XP install process, so you can set up the boot
partition there, then set up the rest from the XP Disk Manager.

You will likely have to install the RAID drivers on initial XP setup, and it
will demand them on a floppy. If they're not on floppy now, copy them to floppy
from the CD.

Any advice on a decent partitioning utility? I don't have a non-Symantec
version of Partition Magic (I don't like Symantec products (take over
system/memory hoggers!).
Click to expand...

Partition Magic itself is not memory resident, so it doesn't take up resources
unless you're using it.
 
RAID 1 should not slow the system down at all.
Click to expand...


True, RAID 2 should not slow down the system but it should be Hardware RAID 1.
Software RAID 1 is handled by Windows and does/will slow down the system.
 
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