54 replies to this topic

[jmhenry5150]

Hey guys!

I'm so glad I found this site...others out there don't seem to be as "in depth" as this one...

I am building a WHS 2011 box and I want to use this card...and I know it will handle 8 total drives...so here are my questions:

I want to have 2 x 250 GB (2.5" drives) as my OS array and I want to have a total of 6 x 3 TB drives in my data array ...the feeling is I want to be able to replace a drive if one fails from either array. Will this card support 2 RAID arrays (1 for the OS and 1 for the data)? Or will I need to have a separate cards?

If I can have multiple arrays, how do I go about setting up the OS RAID? I'm talking about initial install of the card and installing the OS...I have seen the videos posted here about creating arrays through the windows software but I am fuzzy about starting from scratch and getting the OS installed...how difficult is this?

In my data array, how much will my total capacity be if I have 6 x 3 TB drives in a RAID 5? I know there will be some space left over for redundancy so I won't get the total 18 TB.

Is it easy to REMOVE a drive if something goes wrong?

I know I will have more questions, so bear with me - "Hey, I'm learnin' here!!!"

Thanks in advance...

[jmwills]

Welcome....I have the 2720 card and have not even thought about creating two different arrays, okay 1 array and 1 mirror, using the same card. You have two breakout cables, each with four connectors and I am not sure if you can dedicate two to the mirror and two to the array along with the other four. I am about 90% sure you can do this with the HighPoint software.

Your RAID 5 array should be approximately 15.36 TB. The rule of thumb is to subtract one drive so for estimates the 15TB is a good number.

[CablDeViL]

Mine runs 2 Raid 5 Arrays without an issue. But the main problem is setting up the raid from the cards bios before installing the OS with the slipstream HP drivers. That I am not sure?.

[jmwills]

I don't see why couldn't install the OS on a single drive, install the HighPoint software to then add the 2nd drive for the OS mirror.

[jmhenry5150]

I don't see why couldn't install the OS on a single drive, install the HighPoint software to then add the 2nd drive for the OS mirror.

That's an idea.....I didn't even think about that

[jmwills]

To me, that seems like the path of least resistance. Get it stabilized and then add the array. I would guess it could take about 4-5 days to build it and make sure the initialization is done in the foreground.

[jmhenry5150]

Here is my execution path...let me know if you think something is not right...I'm gathering parts (I almost have everything) except for the big 3 TB drives...

• Build the machine out (all hardware in except the large data drives)
• Get the OS installed
• Setup the RAID for the OS and get this all stable (is there a way to test this?)
• Add 3 x 3 TB to build the RAID 5 for the data array
• This is where I get a little fuzzy (add new 3 TB drives as I need) to the large data array - keeping 1 big array of data.

[jmwills]

• Why not just add all the data drives at once?
• What do you have allocated for the server backup? The server backup will demand a dedicated drive.

The HighPoint software will tell you the status of the array and mirror. However, I would not start building the array until the OS is installed and fully patched. Do not activate it up front, you have a 30 day grace period.

[CablDeViL]

I just went the Icydock route for the OS. I am not a big Software raid guy "Unless" its just for a mirror.

[jmwills]

This is not a software raid, well...actually ALL RAID is a software RAID, but that is another discussion. The HighPoint software for the RAID card is very intuitive and easy to use.

[jmhenry5150]

• Why not just add all the data drives at once?
• What do you have allocated for the server backup? The server backup will demand a dedicated drive.

The HighPoint software will tell you the status of the array and mirror. However, I would not start building the array until the OS is installed and fully patched. Do not activate it up front, you have a 30 day grace period.

Honestly, I don't have those drives purchased yet ($150 each!) - but coming soon...

I was thinking to get the system up and stable before I added the data array...

This machine is for media only - and my neighbor has the exact same data as I do (movies, TV shows, music, etc)...so essentially we are each other's backup

"Do not activate it up front, you have a 30 day grace period."

What does this mean?

[jmwills]

When you install the OS and it asks for a product key, there is a checkbox just below and to the left, uncheck that and you can proceed with the installation without activation for 30 days.

[jmhenry5150]

Ah yes - the OS...I thought you meant the RAID software...doh!

[jmhenry5150]

Here is my build thread with all the components if anyone is interested:

http://homeserversho...my-first-build/

[CablDeViL]

This is not a software raid, well...actually ALL RAID is a software RAID, but that is another discussion. The HighPoint software for the RAID card is very intuitive and easy to use.

I agree to a point =) With out dedicated hardware the overhead becomes taxing using a parody or complex arrays. IMO. I was also referring to using mirror setup in the OS.

jmwills we can have a twitter/google+ battle on the subject if you like ROFL.

@jmhenry5150 you are in good hands with jmwills, He is very knowledgeable and is a hawk on the forums. My response time is the pits =)

[jmwills]

You're fine Jersey Boy....

Yes neither is any good without the other. The nice thing about the dedicated card is being able to move it to another system board if needed.

[CablDeViL]

Don't make me fly down there for the next race =)

Highpoints software has always added a lot of value IMO from the array setups to the monitoring and notifications.

@jmhennry, Make sure you go with the 3TB drives and besure they are all the same model/brand. Do not do what I did and mix an odd ball drive in your arrays. Everyone will bash the use of green drives even though I have been lucky for some years now with mine. I am starting to build my new server to try to lower the power consumption down and all my drive will be 3tb. I was thinking about the RED drives but I am going to wait to read more reviews and have someone put some hours on them to get a sense of the failure rate.

[jmhenry5150]

@jmhennry, Make sure you go with the 3TB drives and besure they are all the same model/brand.

Yep, that's the plan...Best Buy actually has the best price right now - $149...

I have purchased 1 already - just need to get through the finance & procurement committee (my wife) for the next 2

[CablDeViL]

Yes the wife needs to be all in for this one. If you can purchase them all from the same place at the same time. Many people are superstitious about getting from the same manufacturing lot.

[pcdoc]

A bit late to game here (not unusual lately). You can use your card to build 2 or even 3 arrays if you want to but for me I prefer 1 volume. That said, I agree with the others here and use the OS for the mirror than install your raid card. Makes sure as jmwills stated to use foreground so your array will build in 5-6 hours instead of 3-4 days. If you follow good practices as stated here (keep with the same drive type), you add and expand your array anytime. Also, I think it was mentioned on another post but consider the WD Red drives or the Seagate (greater performance) in your RAID

PS: I have some information on my blog about creating a raid, expanding (the software is slightly older but the procedure is basically the same), and general backup philosophy. One persons opinion but it is food for thought. Good luck on you build and let us know how it goes.