> 1) What are you _actually_ going to use it for, and why RAID 5?
>
It was for a postgres database, but I though about designing a
'clustered' solution using some of the groovy clustering linux-ha
project tools that are now looking funky, and writing a few failover
scripts, I'm going to have a play with it this weekend, see if I can
come up with something in my mad lab.
> RAID 5 has performance drawbacks for some applications eg) one using Random
> writes.
>
That's quite true, you can reduce this by using a lot of write caching,
but i the power goes your.....well don't ask.
> 2) Who is it for?
>
> If it's for yourself at home I'd built it yourself, as you get to choose
> _all_ the components you want, and aren't limited by major manufactures
> decisions, many use onboard Video for example, rather than AGP ports etc.
>
I'd never use anything at home, that I would'nt at work. that why my
house has no microsoft products running in it... ho ho...;-).
> If it's commercial, then I'd talk to one of the Linux vendors GND, or DNK
> spring to mind.
>
Yeah, but I like to experiment, shame business don't, they have too much
to loose I guess, they want something that just works, they don't care ,
as long as it's cheap and does the job, probably why so many are still
using dos based packages to run thier companies. ho hum.
> I've used very nice SCSI RAID controllers supplied by GND under Linux, I
> think it's IPT Vortex, you very definitely need for such a system a well
> supported controller with a good driver available.
>
Yeah, I'll look them up, GND, will do ...fanks for the tip!
> 3) Finally consider using IDE and RAID 10 software RAID (RAID1 on top of RAID
> 0)
>
Yeah, IDE drives are so cheap, you can get away with this configuration,
I've seen 160gb drive for less the £140 quid, this is all getting very
very silly, very silly indeed. Was'nt it just yesterday I was storing
thing on my spectrum's microdrive down at nmc, or my cbm 1541 drive that
could play 'waltzing mattilda'. ? ah...the good old days ;-).
I built a server recenty will just linux ide raid 1, worked well, it's a
nice feeling to pull out the power cord of one drive, and have the
system continue I can tell you (Dont try this at home ;-) )....
I'll never go back to NT, unless a bank pays me more money to mess
around it with it than I can resist.
> save money, and get better performance by using 2 IDE, controllers, one per
> mirror, rather than a SCSI RAID 5 controller, and using fast IDE disks, which
> tend to be much softer on the budget.
>
I agree!
> There is some information out there (try search at linux.today for 'building
> gigabyte IDE server), or for a basic system (with good power supply and
> case), you should be able to squeeze in 4 disks for a RAID 10 IDE setup, at
> much lower cost than if you go a SCSI RAID route.
>
>
> Quite honestly if you are a home user, then SCSI is almost certainly a total
> waste of money now.
>
Hey Rob, thanks for the advice, I' agree with you on all points,
SCSI is dead , long live the SCSI....
> Rob
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.lug.org.uk http://www.linuxportal.co.uk
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