Installing SATA HD Array on System with an Existing IDE Array 1

[ChillLead]

What issues can one expect when installing a new RAID 0 SATA array in a system with and existing RAID 0 IDE array.

Will the shouthbridge only reecognize one raid or the other?

 

[kjv1611]

If you are using onboard RAID adapters, I doubt it will make a difference, as far as recognizing the ARRAYs.

If you are using hardware RAID cards, then you could run into some issues there.

I know on my system at home, I had installed 2 SATA hardware RAID cards with no problem (onboard RAID disabled, of course), and had no problems. Then I tried one PATA RAID card with no problems - but for what I was wanting to do it was not efficient. So, I got another PATA RAID card. Now, with this one, I couldn't get the system to boot. So, for now I just took that out, and laid it to the side, skipping the use of it.

What I'm trying to say with that example is that I would suppose that you'll have no problems, or you'll have one of these (but it all depends upon how well the hardware plays together):
1. System won't boot at all.
2. System will recognize likely the 1st RAID card only, if it will only recognize one or the other.
3. System will attempt to boot, but not recongnize either RAID Arrays.

Hopefully that helps your thought process a little, instead of muddying it.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[wahnula]

What issues can one expect when installing a new RAID 0 SATA array in a system with and existing RAID 0 IDE array?

None if you select the right hardware. I am a huge fan of 3ware cards, the 9500S cost around $300 USD and is worth every penny. It runs on a 32 or 64-bit PCI bus and has a PCI-X formfactor.

You install the card, install the driver, create the array in RAID BIOS and you're done.

Now if you are referring to a mainboard-embedded SATA RAID controller you will need to have the drivers for said controller installed into Windows and configured in BIOS as RAID if you want Windows to see the array.

Please clarify which scenario is yours. Are you planning to replace the IDE RAID w/ SATA RAID?

Tony

 

[ChillLead]

Not planning to replace.

Actually, I do have a pci SATAII (300 Mpbs) card that I'd like to install, but that's down the road....

Currently the mobo has 2 IDE and 2 SATA connections. I'm installing 2 IDE first. Later I'm interested in adding 2 SATA drives as well.

Sooo, setting up RAID as IDE in initial BIOS setup means I cannot install SATA also?

 

[kjv1611]

So long as you have the right drivers in place, it really shouldn't matter. The onboard IDE and SATA should work side-by-side. Otherwise, it's a very poor mainboard design.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[wahnula]

One other thing...why on earth would you want to run 2 RAID 0 arrays? Since there is zero fault tolerance I would hope that your second array would be for data and more secure like RAID 1. Yes you lose space but gain resiliency. With 300GB+ drives selling for <100USD space should not be an excuse.

Yes RAID 0 is faster but in reality it is not RAID at all, it should be called AID. Look here:

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/perf/raid/levels/single.htm

My favorite quote from the guide:

Special Considerations: Using a RAID 0 array without backing up any changes made to its data at least daily is a loud statement that that data is not important to you.

A word to the wise...

Another thought would be the best of both worlds, building a RAID 0+1 (RAID 10) array using the four drives. If it were my machine I would run the embedded RAID controller for OS & apps in RAID 0 or RAID 1, then use the PCI card for a SATAII RAID 5 array for data files.

Tony